Peterborough boss Steve Evans full of praise for “gem” Ivan Toney



Posted Sunday, December 30, 2018 by PA

Peterborough boss Steve Evans full of praise for “gem” Ivan Toney

Peterborough boss Steve Evans knows he has a gem in Ivan Toney after the striker hit a hat-trick in the 4-0 win at Accrington.

Toney, signed from Newcastle in August, scored the first with a header after 19 minutes and then capitalised on a Connor Ripley mistake to make it 2-0 four minutes before half-time, firing into the empty net after the keeper rushed out for a long ball forward.

Rhys Bennett made it three after 67 minutes after a Marcus Maddison free-kick crashed down off the crossbar and forced the ball over the line.

Toney complete his treble five minutes from time, stooping to head the ball over the line for his 16th goal of the season as promotion-chasing Posh celebrated their first league win in five games.

Evans said: “In Ivan Toney, I have a Championship player playing in League One. We spent a lot of money on him but I identified him as my number one choice and the directors and staff backed me.

“We said he had to get fitter and sharper and he has. He led the line superbly. It’s not just about him, though, the whole team played well and it was an outstanding performance.

“Accrington are a good side, defensively and going forward, and we had to be on our mettle but this was a special performance on the road.

“There were great goals by Ivan and we could have had more. We were good all over the pitch.

“But we didn’t get too low when we lost to Barnsley last time out and we won’t get too high now, it’s all part of the mix.

“I have got to credit the lads, though, as I gave them a game plan which they executed to perfection.”

Stanley manager John Coleman was disappointed after his side had won their last two games but they failed to hit the heights with their performance.

He said: “They were the better team in the first half, they were on the front foot and Toney was lively. He got into the channels and caused us problems.

“We tried to play offside, I have no idea why as we never do that, and we were punished while individual errors cost us two goals.

“In the second half we were the better team for the first 15-20 minutes and then the third goal is the sucker punch. I think if we had got a goal back at 2-1, it would have been different but we didn’t take our chances.

“The fourth goal just rubbed salt into the wounds. It was one of those days and you have to take it on the chin and look forward.

“We do not often turn in performances like that and this might be a wake-up call to some of our players.”

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