Gueye off to winning start with Senegal

Tuesday, 19 June, 2018 47comments  |  Jump to most recent

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Idrissa Gueye and Senegal began their Group H campaign with a 2-1 victory over Poland at Spartak Stadium today, with the Everton man playing a crucial role in their opening goal.

The midfielder's 37th-minute shot took a heavy deflection off Thiago Cionek and bounced past Wojciech Szczesny to give the Africa side the lead via what was officially credited as an own goal.

Senegal doubled their lead in the second half through M'Baye Niang, albeit in somewhat controversial circumstances.

The striker was waved back onto the field as Senegal cleared their lines and he raced behind the last defender to intercept a back pass before sprinting clear to slot into an open net having prodded the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Grzegorz Krychowiak headed home in impressive fashion with four minutes left of the 90 but the Poles couldn't find an equaliser in the closing stages.  



Reader Comments (47)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


James Flynn
1 Posted 19/06/2018 at 19:37:01
Rooting for Senegal because of Idrissa. Had no interest otherwise. But that second goal was great.

The only thing to compare it to is a hockey player coming out of the penalty box just as the puck is coming forward and finding himself on a break-away.

Watched every angle of the replay just for the laughs. And what was the keeper thinking?

Jamie Crowley
2 Posted 19/06/2018 at 21:01:42
Ref waived the player on. Not much controversy in that from my view.

Player was off to the races getting on the end of a very astute long ball and recognition of the situation.

And the Polish defender fell asleep, and the keeper was eyeing the Russian blonde hottie in the stands.

Gueye was good. Nice to see him play well and get forward a bit.

Colin Glassar
3 Posted 19/06/2018 at 21:58:14
Senegal and Mexico are my chosen teams after England.
Ed Prytherch
4 Posted 19/06/2018 at 22:42:20
Gana demonstrated that he can play a box-to-box role on the right side of midfield. We may not need to buy a midfielder if Silva can get Schneiderlin back to his best as the Number 6.

Gana's mediocre forward passing is not such a big issue when he is winning the ball in advanced positions and it is the reason that he should not be playing in a deep position.

Nick Armitage
5 Posted 20/06/2018 at 00:44:26
Gana had a decent game. He was everywhere and kept them ticking bit like his first season for us. They'd beat England on that form.
Simon Smith
6 Posted 20/06/2018 at 07:57:17
Why does it always have to come back to “they would beat England” I hope we play them just to prove that to be untrue. The lack of support for England at times is terrible. I for one am well behind our boys!
Bob Parrington
7 Posted 20/06/2018 at 08:50:21
England came sprinting out of the tracks against Tunisia and looked very impressive (except for some shocking finishing) until dickwhit gave away a stupid penalty.

If they can prevent the pissing about in defence, England has a good chance to lift the cup! Gorra say I like the tenacity of Mexico, too!

Sam Hoare
8 Posted 20/06/2018 at 08:55:48
Geuye's passing looked better yesterday. Nothing that special but playing the correct, simple passes well. If he can do that for us then he can be one of the box-to-box central midfielders ahead of sitting 6 who can release the wingers with long passes (Schneiderlin or
Carvalho or... ?)

I guess the other box-to-box type would ideally be Sigurdsson, he has the stamina to get up and down though perhaps not the pace to press quickly and effectively as Silva prefers. Davies, McCarthy and maybe even Besic might be our other current box to box options.

Martin Berry
9 Posted 20/06/2018 at 10:40:47
I thought he was average but very pleased he had a goal celebration even if it was an og. And I hope he and Senegal progress and look forward to seeing him in the next game.Still not sure if he is the right player in Everton's midfield; yes, he chases down but his passing and shooting has been mediocre.
Bill Gienapp
10 Posted 20/06/2018 at 11:42:29
Senegal looks like a proper side and, with this victory, is nicely positioned to advance to the knockout stages. They did well to see out the win after Poland managed that late goal. And not that I put much stock in Tony Meola's color commentary, but it was still nice to hear him sing Gueye's praises near the end of the match.

I always have a soft spot for the African squads, but it's been pretty dire up to this point. Nigeria looked mostly hapless against Croatia, while Tunisia is the sort of team that could play 1000 minutes and still not manage a shot on goal. Egypt's already dead and buried and, I expect, within a few hours Morocco will be too.

Jay Harris
11 Posted 20/06/2018 at 15:54:26
I thought Senegal typified the African teams with excellent athleticism but not the greatest technique.

Gana kept them going with his immense energy and availability. If Silva can add to his shooting ability, we could have a diamond on our hands.

Bill Watson
12 Posted 20/06/2018 at 16:30:54
Simon (#6)

Personally, I couldn't give a toss how England do: I leave all the jingoism and flag waving to the armchair patriots from the south!

My only concern is that our players may get injured, tapped up or come back knackered, as they did in 1970.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel". Oscar Wilde.

Dennis Stevens
13 Posted 20/06/2018 at 17:11:19
How very regionalist, Bill!
Brian Williams
14 Posted 20/06/2018 at 17:35:51
What Bill said @ #12!
Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 20/06/2018 at 18:22:44
Bill (12), are you sure it was Oscar Wilde who coined that phrase "Patriosism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" or was it Samuel Johnson?
Brian Hill
16 Posted 20/06/2018 at 18:58:29
Dave. It was Johnson, the quote is from 1775 and referred to those who hid behind a false patriotism in order to gain some perceived benefit to themselves.
David Israel
17 Posted 20/06/2018 at 19:23:59
Indeed, Brian, Dr Johnson's comment was not intended to criticise patriotism, but those who hypocritically use it to their ends.
Graham Coldron
18 Posted 20/06/2018 at 19:26:54
Bill (#12),

I just wanted to say that your post summed up perfectly how I feel about England – and probably a lot of other Evertonians as well. I refused to take part in the World Cup in draw as it was being run by The Sun and to be fair the Geordie who was organising it was understanding about my decision.

Roll on August, eh!

Brent Stephens
19 Posted 20/06/2018 at 19:30:00
... "or was it Samuel Johnson".

Showing off, Dave, just because you were mates with him!

Hope Gana has a good WC and carries that back into his Everton performances. I just loved him when he first signed for us. I hope Silva can get him back to that, building on a good World Cup.

Eric Paul
20 Posted 20/06/2018 at 19:50:31
Most of the people who post on TW have a “second team” – a concept I don't understand – and yet they have no patriotism... What's that all about?

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

Ian Bennett
21 Posted 20/06/2018 at 19:56:12
My second team is anyone but Liverpool. They're on TV every week.
Lev Vellene
22 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:03:13
Eric (#20)

As I had to explain to a "girl" (a mere 25-year-old casual football fanatic) at work today, I couldn't care less about football! And I then had to explain how I love everything Everton, even if we haven't really played good football for the past 20 years plus... But I still try to watch every game we play. I hope she thinks I'm just senile... ;D

I had to admit that I'd cracked somewhat this year, so I've watched the Iceland, England and Senegal games since those were almost Everton games...

I'm still not sure if I want them all to crash out and come home early... But I guess not. Damn me!

Dermot Byrne
23 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:06:16
Strangely, Eric Paul, I prefer Tranmere. Why? No idea really. England just do nothing for me. Never have in 57 years. I think I may have traitor tendencies.
Eric Paul
24 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:30:44
How does that work, Lev, as Everton are a football club?
David Israel
25 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:32:30
I've had a soft spot for Tranmere since we signed Dixie Dean from them, all those years ago! Yes, I know I'm getting on...
Lev Vellene
26 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:48:57
Eric (#24),

It works as if I'm just a normal football fanatic where Everton is concerned, but I know nothing about players/managers that I have not directly watched in our own games...

I know there is a Messi, a Ronaldo, and a Bale, online headlines makes sure of me picking up that! But I never bother to read those articles...

So I can't really make wise rants about why we should or shouldn't sign this player or that!

(The 25-year-old seems safe, except her mind is not for EFC, poor thing, so she's lost to the world of good. Oh, well, it takes all sorts...)

Colin Glassar
27 Posted 20/06/2018 at 20:59:42
Lev, those are very bizarre comments. Are you sure?
Raymond Fox
28 Posted 20/06/2018 at 21:37:23
Do I want England to do well? Yes, I do, but I won't lose any sleep if they don't! It's a game, that's all.

As far as patriotism goes, we English must be the bottom of the league in looking out for ourselves.

If I was young, the way the population is increasing and society changing, I wouldn't be happy, I'd be off to pasture new.

Bill Watson
29 Posted 20/06/2018 at 21:38:19
Dave #15

I stand corrected! You're quite right. It was, indeed, Sam (to his mates) Johnson. Just proves I don't get my quotes off Google. lol

I just can't get patriotic when we have 1000s of foodbanks, ZH contracts, a gig economy and an underfunded NHS etc etc etc.

On the football side I've never forgiven the FA for fiddling the Goodison semi final, in 1966!

David Israel
30 Posted 20/06/2018 at 22:13:38
Raymond #28, I'm with you, as far as England goes, but it's about time we did something, if only a World Cup semi-final lost on penalties, as in 1990.

As far as it only being a game, and not wanting to paraphrase a well-known false prophet from across the park, when it comes to Everton it is much more than a game.

Mike Keating
31 Posted 20/06/2018 at 00:11:39
Would you rather England win the World Cup or Everton win the FA Cup?

I know my preference

COYB

Simon Smith
32 Posted 21/06/2018 at 10:56:23
Bill,

Very sad to read your comments. I for one enjoy the fact that for once the country (bar some ToffeeWebbers apparently) are all behind the team. Obviously you have your opinions, which is fine, but I couldn’t disagree with you more.

Simon Smith
33 Posted 21/06/2018 at 11:00:16
31 mike,

I would rather England won the WC than us win the FA Cup.
Say what you like, but I’m English and want to experience the feeling of winning. I have felt that once with Everton. Haha. Both would be ideal.

Now had you said win the premier league, then I may have to reconsider!

Mike Keating
34 Posted 21/06/2018 at 11:40:59
Simon
A 1966 style compromise would do me too.
Unfortunately we'll have to wait another 4 years for that one.
John McFarlane Snr
35 Posted 21/06/2018 at 11:46:00
Hi Simon, I only venture on to main line themes occasionally, but I'm sure that you are in the minority in preferring an England victory, in the World Cup, to an Everton victory in the FA Cup.

I have witnessed both, [ and in the same year at that] and I know which one gave me the greatest pleasure, I am, and always have been, in the 'Club Before Country Brigade'

If England lose a match I put the kettle on, if Everton lose a match I'm tempted to put the gas on. Best wishes John.

Dave Abrahams
36 Posted 21/06/2018 at 12:02:33
Bill (29), I knew it was Samuel Johnson, I read about him years ago and always remember him, because a lot of political patriots are hypocrites.

As for your second paragraph I am with you one hundred per cent.

Eric Paul
37 Posted 21/06/2018 at 19:47:52
Bill what’s patriotism got to do with food banks,zero hour contracts or an underfunded NHS. It’s about having a common bond with your fellow citizens, like the people who actually donate to the food banks. And feeling as one behind a common goal
Bill Watson
38 Posted 21/06/2018 at 21:04:01
Eric # 37
Governments love all the patriotism and flag waving etc as it diverts the masses' attention whilst they happily asset strip the country for their cronies.
AKA 'austerity'.

You wave your flag by all means but I'll take a pass.

Dennis Stevens
39 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:09:13
Hear! Hear! John #35. Club before Country every time for me.
Don Alexander
40 Posted 21/06/2018 at 22:26:23
Patriotism? Not the happy-clappy, "Ma'am" worshipping type for me. I was only a kid in '66 when the country went delirious before devaluation robbed generations to come. Cue Brexit this time with the same outcome, without the temporary hiatus of a football trophy being won though.

Bah! Humbug!

Simon Smith
41 Posted 22/06/2018 at 09:18:30
I'm sure you'll all shoot me down again, but I'm guessing none of you have been to a World Cup?? Well I have and it's absolutely brilliant. And what Brexit has got to do with it I'll never know. This is a football conversation.
Bill Watson
42 Posted 22/06/2018 at 13:46:35
Simon (#41),

Sorry, you guessed wrong. I've been to a World Cup including all group games and a semi-final.

Eric Paul
43 Posted 22/06/2018 at 14:19:29
Bill,

I'm not a flag waver, If you have experienced a World Cup and if the experience didn't make you feel patriotic I doubt anything will. I have also been to a World Cup.

Best wishes and good luck for the new season

Bill Watson
44 Posted 22/06/2018 at 17:20:41
Simon:

It was England '66. These days the Premier League attracts some of the world's best players but, back then, the World Cup was one of the few chances we had to see the likes of Pele, Eusebio, Beckenbauer, Seeler and the Hungarian Albert, live.

These days we see many of the players every week on TV or at Goodison. For me, it will always be Everton first.

Simon Smith
45 Posted 22/06/2018 at 17:32:41
Fair play, Bill. I envy you. You're right in what you say about the Premier League.

Trust me I have plenty of love for Everton. Especially now Sam has left the building.

Ron Sear
46 Posted 24/06/2018 at 15:58:37
Love to see Gueye teach the Everton players to dance like the Senegalese team.
Steve Ferns
47 Posted 24/06/2018 at 16:58:23
I’d swap an England World Cup win for 3 points at Molyneux.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads