Many Everton fans have been lauding Djibril Sidibe on social media for his efforts against Leicester City, despite Marco Silva’s men falling to a 2-1 loss on Sunday.
Silva opted to name Sidibe at right-back at the King Power Stadium, for what was the AS Monaco loanee’s seventh appearance in the Premier League and sixth start, after losing Seamus Coleman to a rib injury ahead of the trip.
Coleman had come on to replace Sidibe in the 66th-minute of our previous top-flight game when beaten at home by Norwich City, but the 18-cap France international’s place in the side on Sunday returned the assist for our 23rd-minute go-ahead goal scored through Richarlison.
It was Sidibe’s third assist for the Toffees across all competitions and second in the league since his summer arrival, having assisted Richarlison against Southampton when the Brazilian struck our winning effort at St. Mary’s prior to the international break.
Some fans have suggested that Sidibe potentially deserved more at Leicester on Sunday, where the 27-year-old delivered six crosses – only Lucas Digne (8) and Foxes’ James Maddison (7) and Ben Chilwell (8) registered more, according to WhoScored data.
Sidibe also made 14 of his 33 passes in the final third, while taking one of our 11 shots, took possession with four of his five tackles, registered three interceptions, blocked two crosses and recorded two clearances.
Were you impressed by Sidibe vs Leicester?
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Here are some of the messages shared as fans shared their judgment of his performance…
Sidibe is MOM here today, having a great game #EFC
— Reg Pearson (@elorance) December 1, 2019
no matter how this game ends.. Sidibe has been playing amazing today #COYB #EFC #UTFT
— Tasha Evans (@tashaevans0819) December 1, 2019
Sidibe been quality today and our best player! #COYB #EFC #EVERTON
— Ste Mc (Macca) (@bottymilk) December 1, 2019
So, so cruel on Everton. First half was superb & for the first part of the second they posed the bigger problems. Sidibe constant threat & his deliveries deserved better. Testing Christmas ahead for the Blues #EFC
— Christopher Coughlin (@ccoughlin1995) December 1, 2019
Sidibe was the standout for us. He floated 3 or 4 lovely balls into Leicester’s box in that second half. We would & shoulda been home and hosed. Done my head in. Absolutely no cutting edge in there.
— Alan Collins (@EFCCollins) December 1, 2019
Sidibe was the best player on the field today. Tells you everything.
Gomez, Gbamin, Delph in the centre and we win and control that game.
Not often backed Silva but today was tough and could have easily went the other way. #efc
— John Harvey (@busjharv) December 1, 2019
On a positive note, sidibe was quality yesterday
— Alex (@1878SpringerEFC) December 2, 2019
Played ok yesterday – we weren’t brilliant and neither were Leicester. Sidibe was for me our best player – severely lack a striker. Feel for Davies all players make mistakes unfortunately his cost us two goals.
— James Brown (@JamesBrownEFC) December 2, 2019