A round-up of the latest Everton news as Manchester City maestro Phil Foden issues a verdict on Sean Dyche’s side and Andy Gray states he is ‘still concerned’ for the Blues.
Phil Foden ‘praises’ Everton after Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Goodison Park
Manchester City midfielder Foden believes Everton deserve ‘praise’ for their performance in Wednesday’s Premier League fixture. The Citizens came from behind to win 3-1 at Goodison Park. Jack Harrison (29’) had initially given Dyche’s team the lead at home to the champions.
Foden (53’) sparked his Etihad Stadium side’s comeback after getting Pep Guardiola’s squad level on Merseyside. Julian Alvarez (64’) then put his title-holders ahead with a controversial penalty, before Bernardo Silva (86’) settled the match to leave Everton 17th in the standings.
Everton have now lost their last two Premier League matches following a run of four-straight wins without conceding a goal. But Foden believes the Blues put up a real test and adds that Goodison Park is always a ‘difficult’ place to visit following his sixth trip to the Toffees’ home.
“I’d like to praise Everton,” Foden told Amazon Prime following Wednesday’s game. “They have been doing really well at the minute. They’re a top side and they make it difficult. [I am] really happy with the result. It’s a difficult place to come.”
Read more about what Manchester City’s Foden has had to say about Everton, here.
Andy Gray admits he is ‘still concerned’ about Everton and relegation
Former Everton striker Gray admits he is ‘still concerned’ about the possibility of the Toffees enduring relegation this season. Defeat at home to Manchester City this Wednesday left the Blues 17th in the table. They also sit just one point above the drop zone through 19 fixtures.
Luton Town even trail Everton by a single point having played one fewer games than Dyche’s side this season. While the Blues are now at the mid-season mark, the Hatters are still yet to play their 19th game. But Everton are still in the process of appealing their points deduction.
Everton were putting their 10-point penalty in their rear-view mirror with four-straight wins that enthralled Gray. But Abdoulaye Doucoure’s hamstring injury sustained at Burnley fuels his concerns that the Toffees are not out of the woods yet with 19 matches still left to play.
“That run there was a fantastic response after Manchester United,” he told beIN SPORTS. “I had a funny feeling that Manchester United would kick us in the teeth. I had a funny feeling that there was too much going on around that game for the players to cope with it.
“It didn’t feel right and I wasn’t as confused as [a] lot of people. But the four after that have been terrific performances. They have been really hard to play against, they’ve been vibrant [and] they have actually looked like they can score goals now.
“It’s a blow that Doucoure’s not playing because he’s been a real threat. I’m still a little concerned, if I’m being honest with you, but that’s just natural because it’s my team. So, I’m obviously still a bit nervous.”
Read more about what Gray has had to say about Everton’s relegation fight, here.
Former Premier League referee hits out after Amadou Onana’s handball
Ex-Premier League official Keith Hackett has dubbed referee John Brooks’ decision to award Manchester City a penalty at Everton for a handball by Amadou Onana as ‘poor’. The referee gave a penalty midway through the second half, which Alvarez scored to put his team ahead.
Everton boss Dyche called the penalty incident ‘bizarre’ as it led to Manchester City’s victory at Goodison Park. Brooks felt that Onana made a deliberate move to block a shot by Nathan Ake with his arm clearly raised. But Dyche felt their midfielder was in close proximity to Ake.
Brooks initially hesitated to award the penalty as Manchester City’s players appealed but he gave the spot-kick on the word of his touchline assistant. The VAR also agreed that Onana’s arm being raised was enough for the penalty. But Hackett feels it was not a deliberate move.
“The handball law amended by David Elleray and the IFAB to make decision-making easier has succeeded in doing the opposite,” Hackett said on X. “It promotes inconsistency which leads to these decisions. Was there deliberate movement of hand to ball? Poor decision.”
Read more about what Hackett has had to say about Onana’s handball, here.
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