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ClaretandHugh’s top analyst Leroy Rosenior has admitted he feared Dimtri Payet may not be the same player again after the shocking ‘tackle’ by Everton’s James McCarthy.
He said: “It was a shocker but his performance against Bournemouth was incredible and I am incredibly relieved that he has come back better than ever – it’s not always the case after an injury like that.
“He showed such confidence and despite that awful challenge remains happy to dance around players – it’s magnificent to watch. He looks even better than before the Everton match.
“Slaven Bilic said that he makes every other player play better and that is totally spot on. Enner Valencia showed an attitude we haven’t seen before and I think that was down to Dimi.
“Valencia wanted to show what he could do and how! His goals were superb and it won’t be long before Sakho is back which will make another enormous difference.
Payet is the first name on the team sheet of course – an extraordinary player – but the competition for places elsewhere is brilliant and the sky is the limit for this club.”
I think Valencia’s free kick was even better than Payet’s.
Payet curled it to get it over the wall, but Valencia hit it dead straight with great top-spin to get it down under the bar. It took enormous power to do that.
And that free kick a few weeks ago from about 40 meters qhich the keeper had to save from under the bar. He does some incredible things with great power.
Like you Leroy I wondered if Dimi would return as good after that shocking tackle but as you said he looks even sharper and better than ever. I do close my eyes though everytime another player hurtles towards him thinking NOT AGAIN!!!
Rest him for the next Everton encounter !
I hope Nobes or Tonks give McCarthy an early clump in that game just to remind him to stay away from Dimi
I hope our whole team targets him and leaves him black and blue for a week
He will not fall for the same thing again and the best thing he can do is repay Everton the dirty mug who assaulted him the Manager who could not bring himself to say it was wrong and the idiot who claimed he was a football fan by scoring the winner against them,
Maybe Mr McCarthy should be marked man on man by Obiang ( after some Dickie training )
Payet will learn from the incident because he is to good a player,