Monday 14 September 2015 11:25, UK
We analyse an immense performance by John Stones in Everton's 3-1 win over Chelsea.
When John Stones fizzed a back pass towards Tim Howard on Saturday, there were intakes of breath around Goodison Park. The young defender's hand immediately went up in what appeared likely to be an apology. But it soon became clear that he was simply calling to get the ball back off his goalkeeper.
Stones duly received the ball and calmly slotted a pass beyond the Chelsea forwards and into the path of Gareth Barry. Seconds later the ball was in the opponents' net and Everton were on their way to a 3-1 victory. The pass had proved to be the start of a flowing move and an imperious performance by Stones.
It might have been an occasion that would unsettle the young defender. Eyes were on him after a summer of speculation that left many convinced he'd be in a Chelsea shirt by the time this fixture came around. Bids were lodged, transfer requests put in "by mistake" and all of them ultimately rejected by Everton. This was a 90-minute explanation why.
"He has been heavily tested but we never had a doubt in the way he would perform and he never let the team down," Everton manager Roberto Martinez said afterwards. "He always trained and performed well and today he showed he is going to be a future England captain."
Martinez is a manager not shy of talking up his players but few would disagree with his assessment on this occasion. Stones was simply magnificent. In fact, "irreplaceable" was the word preferred by the Spaniard and it's obvious that Everton supporters share that sentiment. "Money can't buy you Stones," was their line of choice.
He was composure personified against the champions. Indeed, when Stones elected to perform a Cruyff Turn inside his own penalty area on the half-hour mark, it felt a little like he was labouring the point. This was supposed to be a stern exam for any defender but Stones appeared as casual as young man at a pub quiz with his mates.
Everything was done with a serenity that elevated him above the other defenders on the pitch. The three players with the most sprints in the first hour of the game were Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Pedro - Chelsea's front three - but they were tracked with ease. 'Something in the way he moves' might have been a better Beatles adaptation.
England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate suggested in the summer that the dirtier side of defending - the boring bits, if you like - still need work but there was little evidence of that on Saturday. Stones was there heading corners away from his penalty box and looked a powerful presence throughout.
When Everton's right side was breached, he came across to block a Cesar Azpilicueta shot and then, just before the interval, he stood up to the physical challenge of Costa to block the striker's snap-shot on the turn. Nobody made more tackles in that first half and by the end of the game he'd won possession nine times - more than anyone else on either side.
On current form, it's difficult to envisage a Chelsea defender making such a good fist of things against a top-class striker. Steven Naismith's movement was too much for them. A back-four many considered the best in Europe now looks to be lacking precisely the combination of determination and quality that Stones showcased on Saturday.
He even finished the game at right-back, having been switched there by Martinez to accommodate new signing Ramiro Funes Mori. Given Branislav Ivanovic's woeful performances of late, it was a reminder that it's not just at centre-back where Stones would get into this Chelsea team. Maybe it wasn't only Everton's fans in the mood to troll Jose Mourinho.
But Chelsea's problems were not the focus for many at Goodison Park. This was Everton's moment. Stones' moment. Money can't buy him but that doesn't mean the club made a bad business decision this summer. With a contract until 2019, many more performances like this one will only see bigger bids come in and, most importantly, better results for Everton.
