TIM HOWARD today hailed Marouane Fellaini’s all-conquering dominant display during Everton's victory over Manchester United – and branded it as good as Duncan Ferguson at his best.
The Belgian international midfielder scored the only goal as David Moyes’ side defeated the Red Devils in their exciting Premier League opener at Goodison last night.
And Howard, who was in goal for United when Ferguson last terrorised the Red Devils in 2005, believes Fellaini was practically unplayable in a display reminiscent of the Scottish striker.
The USA goalkeeper, who broke Pepe Reina’s record of consecutive Premier League appearances at one club after the game, said: “It was the best here against United since Duncan. It was totally dominant. Classy in a lot of ways but some of it was sheer grit and determination too. He was clearly our key man and the tough part about having such a great performance like that in your team is that we can just play at it non stop and it didn’t seem like they could defend against it. They couldn’t cope with him.
“There’s a certain point at which you say it’s impossible to match that. It’s impossible to defend against him because he’s so tall and takes up such good positions that you either have to come through the back of him and concede a foul, or stop him controlling it like that with his chest which is hard.
“We see it every time. He can pass it with his chest, control it with his chest – it’s so soft.
“He was so fantastic for us and it allows us to get up the park and play it up to him. It allows Steven and Bainesy to run off him and Jela to run in behind
“The defenders said from a tactical standpoint we always know we can lump it and have an out ball. It makes them look good at the back because he can win it.
“Like Felli, Duncan was strong and powerful and had the same make-up in terms of being able to dominate someone for 90 minutes. I was happy to be on this end of it this time.”
Howard, who made his own contribution with a terrific save from Wayne Rooney’s first half free kick, said last season’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in April gave the Blues plenty of confidence ahead of their clash yesterday.
“The way we played in attack at Old Trafford did give us confidence and the fact that it was the first game of the season and there was so much excitement,” he said.
“The problem with 4-4 is that you have to outscore them. You have to keep that down and they are so good with their attacking interplay in the final third and we had to guard against that because we got done a couple of times by it in April.”
