Forget penalty says Koeman, Gueye is Gana be a hit

Idrissa Gana Gueye might have given away the penalty that condemned Everton to defeat against Espanyol, but Ronald Koeman has backed his new signing to be a hit at Goodison Park.

Koeman handed Gueye a start in the Toffees’ midfield alongside Gareth Barry just a few days after the Senegalese international completed his move from Aston Villa, while Ross Barkley also featured and missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time as they lost 1-0.

The 26-year-old Gueye, who snubbed a move to Marseille in order to join Everton, completed 71 minutes, but he was judged to have brought down Ruben Duarte on the edge of the penalty box inside five minutes – something which Koeman contests.

“I don’t think the foul was inside the penalty area. I thought Idrissa’s performance was positive. He took too much of a risk in the action that led to the penalty.

“He stole a lot of balls in the midfield, he’s fast and he presses well. I thought his debut was impressive.

“We need him because he is a different midfield player from the ones that we have here.”

(SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images)

The Dutchman had named a strong side including captain Phil Jagielka on his return from injury and Koeman was encouraged by the England international’s showing.

“It was very good to have Phil Jagielka back in the squad,” he said.

“If you miss two or three weeks of pre-season then it’s difficult but experienced players know the game and he showed a good mentality and performance today.”

Koeman dismissed a cut to Romelu Lukaku that required three stitches as “nothing serious”.