The underlap that will lead Everton to glory (Video)

It’s a partnership that has made fans of the Premier League stand up and take notice and has seen Everton become one of the most feared teams since the turn of 2012. The Toffees left side duo of Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar has become one of the most talked about partnerships since Everton began the season the way they ended the last.

The Toffees have regularly been criticised for starting each campaign off slowly, before finding their feet again around January. Last season, the return to good form coincided with the re-signing of Pienaar, initially on loan before it was completed permanently this summer. The partnership down the left-hand side for the Merseyside giants has been absolutely pivotal to their blistering start to the campaign, Tuesday’s defeat to Leeds United aside.

Gary Neville labelled it the underlap during Everton’s recent 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, evident during Baines’ opener in the encounter. The tenacious capability of Pienaar coupled with his team-mates ability to break forward from deep and cut inside rather than drift to the wing and look to pick out a striker in the box.

The ability of the duo on the left has proven pivotal to David Moyes’ game-plan, coupled with the re-positioning of Marouane Fellaini behind the striker, either Nikica Jelavic or Victor Anichebe. While much has been made of the underlap already this season, it’s a plan that the Everton will have to stick to the tried and tested plan in order to continue their impressive run of form and, despite the early Capital One Cup exit, push for league and cup glory this season.