Neal Maupay was a nuisance for Arsenal when he came on as substitute in Everton’s win over the Gunners (Picture: Getty / Vibe)
Rio Ferdinand was full of praise for Neal Maupay after the Everton striker enjoyed another day to remember against Arsenal.
Galvanised by the appointment of Sean Dyche, the Toffees boosted their survival hopes with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over the Premier League leaders at Goodison Park.
Although it was James Tarkowski who scored the game’s only goal on the hour mark, Maupay, introduced as a replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, played a key role in the closing stages.
The summer signing from Brighton was a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side with his physical presence and willingness to chase down lost causes qualities Dyche will surely rely on in the months ahead.
Maupay got under the skin of Oleksandr Zinchenko in particular and the pair were involved in an ugly scuffle in injury time which came close to boiling over and required a lengthy VAR check to see if the Ukraine international had committed a red card offence.
It is not the first time the 26-year-old has irked Arsenal with Matteo Guendouzi infamously losing his cool with Maupay in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton during ‘Project Restart’ after which he never played again for the north London club.
As he was leaving Goodison Park, Maupay stopped for an interview with Ferdinand and the former Manchester United defender congratulated him for derailing Arsenal’s title charge.
Neal Maupay has history with Arsenal and their former midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (Picture: Getty)
‘No, no,’ said the Frenchman, ‘It was a good win, I’m happy. It’s hard to say (what’s changed) because I liked Frank and had a good time with him.
‘I think Sean Dyche brings something different. The intensity (is there) when a new manager comes in everyone wants to show they’re ready so we had to fight today.
‘The whole week was physically tough, that first training session everyone was running and pressing every day so that’s what we did.
‘The quality is there in the team but sometimes you need more than that. You need heart, you need to run. That’s a good start but there’s lots of games to go.’
As Maupay walked off folllowing the interview, Ferdinand couldn’t help but laugh at Arsenal’s expense, saying: ‘Maupay has had Arsenal a couple of times. He has though, I’m not joking.
‘He’s ruffled your feathers a few times. He has had you up!. Today Zinchenko, all flustered. Last time against Arsenal against Brighton he had it out with Guendouzi.’
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The Everton striker has history with the Gunners.
