In the first of a new Premier League column on Playing for 90, co-editor Kevin Kelly looks at a particular match-up of interest in The Premier League in the upcoming weekend, and tries to divulge all the key factors in the battle. This week we look at the midfield battle to ensue in Everton’s clash with Manchester United, this coming Sunday.
Marouane Fellaini and Gareth Barry:
Marouane Fellaini’s rise as the unlikely leader of the Manchester United revival in recent months has been an odd occurrence, yet perhaps symbolises not only Manchester United’s season, but The Premier League’s as a whole too. Indeed, the Man United revival has not been through Angel Di Maria’s fleet-feet of skill, but chiefly the brute force of the Belgian’s aerial prowess.
The Man United midfielder is likely to be directly facing Gareth Barry on Sunday and represents one of the key tactical battles on show. The defensive-midfielder was seen as the hub of an exciting and well-balanced Everton team last season. This season however, his presence has once again symbolised the Blues, but this time for worse.
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Barry had been the brains of the side that passed their way through the Premier League of 2013/14 with increased precision and focus. To lose Barry would have been lobotomising the team, many thought. Martinez agreed, often cooing over the Englishman’s ability to dictate games from deep.
Barry is ‘unique’ Martinez remarked on several occasions. “I think Gareth can play up to his 40s,” he said. Barry was 32 at the time – he is 33 now and staggeringly has a contract that takes him past his 36th birthday.
Barry will be given the remit of marking Fellaini on Sunday, and although he may still possess some brute physicality, he won’t have the energy to mark the all-action Belgian for 45 minutes, never mind 90. Barry has received 10 yellow cards this Premier League season; such ill-discipline may show again this Sunday.
Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman:
The other interesting match-up in Sunday’s clash will occur out wide, where Ashley Young will be facing Seamus Coleman. Young’s season can be equally viewed upon with looks of bemusement; while last year he was the face of the damned-Moyes era, today Young has a fair shout of the most improved player in The Premier League.
Against Manchester City Young scored, assisted both the second and fourth goals, had more shots than any other Manchester United player and created as many chances as any other player on the pitch. Young joined Manchester United in 2012 and for a year he was an England regular, scoring five goals in six games and playing in every match at Euro 2012. Since then he has started only twice for the national team.
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Today it seems Young may have as good a chance as ever as getting another England call up, his form being that impressive. Young will indeed be facing the Donegal-native Seamus Coleman. Coleman, who has enjoyed two brilliant previous seasons, has seen his form dip this campaign, as has been the disappointing trend for Everton.
In the 2012/13 campaign Coleman averages 1.12 chances creates per 90 minutes, while in the 2013/14 campaign that elevated to 1.25 chances created per 90. This season it’s marginally down to 1.03; it may seem only a small decrease but the trend is clear for the attacking full-back.
Defensively Coleman has dipped too; on tackles per 90 minutes he’s decreased from 2.16 (2012/13), 1.59 (2013/14), and 1.34 (2014/15). On interceptions per 90 it’s a similar story: 2.08 (2012/13), 1.31 (2013/14), and 1.24 (2014/15). Coleman certainly isn’t a worse player but seems lost between two stools right now; the challenge of Ashley Young this Sunday will never have seemed more difficult.