Muhamed Besic was made to be a Goodison Park hero.
The combative midfielder – affectionately referred to as Mo – is not without technical ability and skill. He has wonderfully nimble feet and his long-range passing from deep is particularly impressive.
But first and foremost he is a warrior. A throwback to a Roy Keane/Edgar Davids type of midfield enforcer who marries God-given talent with a devilish streak of aggression. At his best, he is an absolute tyro in the centre of the park.
Of course sometimes the Bosnian’s abrasive style overflows into illegal acts, but on Wednesday night he was simply immense – and Everton fans are still purring over his heroics against Man City’s world-class stars.
Yaya Toure is used to riding roughshod over the opposition. So often he looks like an overage player who has sneaked into an under-12s game. Rivals just bounce off him, and struggle to live with his power and guile.
But in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final at Goodison Park, he tasted some of his own medicine. Besic was in his superior in every respect. The Ivorian may tower over him, but the Everton man simply muscled Toure out of the game.
As much as anything, the Goodison faithful loved his cocky swagger on the night…
https://twitter.com/jayshelley89/status/684881014494199809
https://twitter.com/Jxgielka/status/684857351455772672
And the stats certainly backed up the 23-year-old’s dominance…
Muhamed Besic: MotM vs Manchester City, Rating 8.21, Tackles 6, Dribbles 5, Shots 2, Passes 58 @Everton pic.twitter.com/otqKafii3c
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 6, 2016
There was a reason why ‘Yaya’ and ‘pocket’ were trending in the Merseyside area…
Has anyone found Yaya Toure? Last seen in @Mo_Besic pocket…. #EFC
— Rift Forge Studio (@Armourbane) January 6, 2016
URGENT. MISSING:
Gnégnéri Yaya Touré.
32 years old, 6'2.
Last seen in the back pocket of Muhamed Bešić. #EFCvMCFC pic.twitter.com/not2YCl3RA— StockCubed (@MathewStock_) January 6, 2016
A day in the life of @Mo_Besic
– pre match yawn
– put Yaya in his pocket
– comb hair and lady spray
😉 pic.twitter.com/D6B3yOf42J— Conor Waters (@Conor_Waters) January 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/THE_BLUEBALDY/status/685026400210960384
@Mo_Besic took Yaya out your pocket yet mate?
— Cal☘️ (@calfletch98) January 7, 2016
Such was the player’s confidence on the night that he even had time for some showboating…
Nice moves from Besic. Takes some balls to do that to Silva. https://t.co/037HiiYnMq
— Angry Bosnian Fan (@AngryBosnianFan) January 6, 2016
He was an example to his teammates in both his passion and commitment…
Give me this passion every single game! @Mo_Besic #EFC pic.twitter.com/rMdPwTTm88
— 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐕 (@ToffeeTVEFC) January 7, 2016
One thing’s for sure – the star of the night was in no doubt of how much Evertonians adore him…
Mo Besic is going to be an Everton Legend. https://t.co/GCY3lCos4Y
— Jimmy Ball (@jimmyball8) January 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/evertonfcpics/status/684924291691982849
