Journalist Chris Beesley has noted Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was targeted by the opposition in his most recent outing.
During the week, the Toffees took on League One outfit Fleetwood Town in the second round of the EFL Cup. In the end, a single goal from Demarai Gray was enough to decide the tie.
The Everton man fired his side into a first-half lead but Fleetwood managed to prevent any further damage for the rest of the match, making for a tight game.
To stay in the tie, it seems as though the home side targetted one man in particular as they put in a number of physical challenges on Onana, who was making his first start in English football.
Indeed, Beesley explained as much in his player ratings for Liverpool Echo, as he gave the Belgian a 6/10 for his efforts on a ‘bruising’ evening.
He wrote: “A bruising first start in English football for Everton’s biggest signing of the summer as Fleetwood kicked and harried him all night. He was floored on several occasions, including after challenges that brought bookings for Ged Garner and Danny Andrew but went close to netting a first goal when a second-half header from a corner was deflected wide.”
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Having arrived from Lille for £34m in the summer transfer market, much will likely be expected of the 21-year-old despite his young age.
As mentioned by Beesley, this was Onana’s first start for Everton, though he has featured twice off the bench in the Premier League so far.
It seems as though the Fleetwood Town players were intent on giving him a warm welcome to English football though, as they fouled him on seven different occasions – five more times than any other player on the pitch – according to SofaScore. However, one stat that did stand out was the fact that he won an incredible 14 out of 15 duels.
All in all, it sounds as though the midfielder may have woken up a little worse for wear this morning, with a few bruises to nurse as he settles into life in England.