21 year old Ross Barkley, a graduate of Everton`s excellent youth development system shone in last nights game setting up Theo Walcott`s opening goal on the stroke of half time and lighting up an otherwise uneventful game with his dazzling display confirming the growing stature of his precocious talent.
Hodgson had this to say about the brilliant young Everton and England man.
"It`s not often that I contest people`s choice for man of the match. There were one or two other candidates, but I`m pleased Ross got it. We saw what he can do out there."
Barkley has been in excellent form for Everton this season and seems to have found a role within the team that he thrives in after manage Roberto Martinez dropped him into a slightly deeper midfield role where he can dictate the game with his passing and attacking instincts. The young Merseyside native had this to say about his own performance.
"I`m over the moon with my performance. I was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Because I`m an attacking midfielder it is important to get goals, but it was even more important we got the three points."
Barkley had started the game for England last night but maybe only because Micheal Carrick was out injured. On last nights mercurial display Barkley has proved that he should certainly be picked ahead of the over-rated and ineffectual Manchester United midfielder whose place in the England team probably has more to do with Hodgsons bias for picking players from the "big" clubs ahead of better players who do not play for the "Sky five."
