Alex Iwobi hailed for excellent showing in Everton's win at Fulham

The Super Eagles star featured in an unfamiliar role at the Craven Cottage, but he impressed as the Toffees secured a fine away victory

Former Everton defender Michael Ball is full of praise for Alex Iwobi after the Nigerian international delivered an excellent performance during the Toffees 3-2 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti surprised many at Fulham by playing a back three and deploying Iwobi at right full-back.

Traditionally a playmaker, Iwobi came to prominence at Arsenal as a left-winger and moved to Everton in August 2019 as a vital option in attack.

But after an inconsistent start to life at Merseyside, Iwobi gave one of his finest performances in an Everton shirt after impressing as a makeshift right wing-back against the Cottagers.

Ball is one of those who was delighted with how Iwobi adapted to his unfamiliar role, orchestrating play from the wings while devoting himself to his defensive duties.

Writing in his column in the Liverpool Echo, Ball stated: “Alex Iwobi, in particular, deserves credit.

“In the first half, he was our out-ball, and you could see just watching from the TV screen he was maybe a little scared to go too far forward, and he had his defensive mind on a little bit.

“But he became our outlet, and he didn’t have his back to play, which seemed to help him and suited his game.

“In other matches, he’s probably had his back to goal, was tightly marked and found it difficult to play in his style.”

An attacking midfielder for the Super Eagles, Iwobi is adept at playing as a left-winger.

It, however, remains to be seen if Italian manager Ancelotti would continue to use the Nigerian as a wing-back.