If Luton are to capitalise on Everton’s 10-point deduction, they will have the Evertonian in the heart of their midfield to thank.
Ross Barkley spent 13 years at Goodison, before leaving under a cloud. His story since has been one of failed promise — he struggled for minutes at Chelsea, struggled for form at Aston Villa and struggled to keep his name out of headlines for the wrong reasons — but Barkley, now 29, looks settled again.
The supporters at ‘The Kenny’ sing that there ‘ain’t nobody’ like him and the club’s first top-flight win at home in 31 years, a battling victory over Crystal Palace in which Barkley pulled the strings, spoke to the impact he has made since his arrival as a free agent.