Marathon man Steven Pienaar can keep on running for Everton
South African midfielder was the star man during the Blues' opening day draw at Leicester City
Leicester City vs Everton at the King Power Stadium in the FA Premier League. Steven Pienaar in the thick of the action as he holds off Riyad Mahrez.
For someone once described as Everton’s marathon man Steven Pienaar had looked like he was running out of legs.
The South African was sluggish instead of sprightly last season, at times he was laboured on the ball rather than lively and his body was not holding up as the campaign progressed – in fact it was letting him down.
Reluctantly, Evertonians began to question whether the much-loved Pienaar was at the beginning of a decline.
An injury-hit season cut his appearances in half and the handful of goals he chipped in with in the previous campaign was followed last term by just a solitary strike.
Was Pienaar no longer able to cut it in the Premier League?
Out-of-sorts, his season limped over the line as late substitute in the win over Hull City on the final day of the season where he looked a world away from being fully fit.
In a defining moment of his struggles, Pienaar looked like he was running in quicksand as he failed to reach a pass laid out in front of him by James McCarthy.
But fast forward three months and the 32-year-old looks like he has been given a new lease of life.
Refreshed and revitalised, Pienaar was undoubtedly Everton’s stand-out performer on the opening day of the new season at Leicester City.
Nimble, fleet-footed and full of intelligent running he was the best player on the pitch and deserved to have finished on the winning side.
Pienaar was creative and cute with his passing and though wonderful strikes from Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith had put the Blues in front before Leicester grabbed a late equaliser, it was the cunning and craft of the South African that had really put them on the back foot.
As Blues fans travelled home on Saturday evening, many were left with the conclusion that his substitution 10 minutes from time unsettled Everton and allowed the league new-boys back into the game.
True or not, it nevertheless highlights just how well he played.
Pienaar’s performance, arguably his best since a man-of-the-match display against Reading in March last year, was also seen as a reminder to his manager.
Roberto Martinez began the week by securing Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Chelsea and the Blues boss clearly favours wingers with speed, flair and that unpredictable streak.
Pienaar is no speed merchant who is going to skin the opposition full-back by turning on the after-burners – but his message to Martinez at the weekend was built on speed of thought.
And that is where he offers the manager something different, as an experienced and savvy alternative to the raw, pacey talents of Atsu on the Blues left hand side.
It also places Pienaar in the same bracket as Leon Osman.
Seasoned campaigners who are intelligent on the ball, they are players that are genuine assets to the squad by adding depth and quality in a season where Everton will have the added commitment of European football.
Like Osman, you have to assume he won’t play most games but a fit Pienaar gives Martinez a trusted and classy option.
Pienaar also brings the best out of Leighton Baines.
No partnership, maybe in the division, has such a level of understanding and against Leicester the pair were back to their telepathic best. Pienaar and Baines linked up wonderfully to create Everton’s second goal as their movement and incisive passing fed Naismith the chance in front of goal that he emphatically converted.
If Pienaar is the man to make Baines move up another gear then Martinez cannot not ignore that.
The Catalan spoke glowingly of the pair after the weekend’s draw but said it was vital that Pienaar, who wore strapping on his right leg during the game, stayed off the treatment table.
Do so and Everton’s marathon man may be able to keep going and going after all.
