Drenthe’s direct approach works

MIDFIELDER Royston Drenthe enjoys the responsibility of providing the spark Everton are so desperate for, but accepts there are times when he will just have to knuckle down to the basics.

The Netherlands international came off the bench after a three-match absence through injury to produce a pivotal 18-minute cameo which earned his side a point.

Drenthe may not have scored the equaliser — that went to Leon Osman — but it was his shot which created it and he almost snatched a winner with a viciously swerving long-range effort which former Toffees goalkeeper John Ruddy was relieved to bundle behind.

“Everyone knows my quality and I have to play to my qualities, I don’t do things I can’t do so I do the things I know I can do to be important for the team.’’ Drenthe said.

“The moment I came in the gaffer told me, ‘Try to do whatever you can and when you get the ball go direct and use your quality’.

“When I got the ball in the first 50 seconds [of coming on] I went directly and that gave a lot of spirit to the crowd.’’

Drenthe’s introduction changed the complexion of a game which Everton looked like losing.

Against the run of play, Norwich captain Grant Holt scored his sixth goal in eight matches as he held off John Heitinga on the edge of the six-yard area before cleverly turning to fire in a shot off the far post.

Everton did their best to create chances, but nothing was dropping for them in the final third.

Drenthe’s arrival changed that and when he cut in from the right and unleashed a low left-footed drive, Osman was on hand to divert the ball inside the near post.

The hosts went all out for victory with Drenthe’s devilish long-ranger troubling Ruddy before youngster Conor McAleny snatched at his chance to become a hero on only his second Premier League appearance.

Norwich defender Marc Tierney said: “With the number of games coming up we will have a better idea of where we are, but if we keep attacking we will keep picking up points.”