It was one of those moments that felt emblematic of decline. James Maddison was skipping past Dele Alli when Everton’s January signing chopped him down to collect a caution. Maddison has the irrepressibility Alli once possessed, the combination of cheek and talent to suggest the future belongs to him. Alli can seem the lost soul, desperately looking to revive his past.
So far, so typical of Alli’s fortunes. In a tale of two English No. 10s, Maddison was the outstanding player at Goodison Park. Alli looked the afterthought, summoned for his first appearance in more than five weeks as much out of desperation as inspiration.
