Alan Shearer raves about ‘magnificent’ Michael Keane after Everton win v Chelsea
Alan Shearer has paid tribute to the Everton defence after their 1-0 win against Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday night.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half penalty was enough to secure all three points for the Toffees and end Chelsea’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
One of the main reasons Everton managed to win against Frank Lampard’s side was their defence and, in particular, Michael Keane.
Newcastle legend Shearer singled the 27-year-old out for praise on Match of the Day on Saturday night.
“They defended as a team, they didn’t give up any space,” said Shearer on BBC One.
“Keane, I thought was magnificent, along with the other defenders
“They just worked together, there was no space. They came up against a wall after afternoon.
“Everton, I thought, were brilliant.”
Keane a class above
Keane has played every minute of every Premier League game this season for Everton and was the stand-out defender for Carlo Ancelotti against Chelsea on Saturday.
According to stats by WyScout, Keane won all three of the aerial duels he contended for, made eight interceptions, made 12 recoveries and completed eight clearances.
Keane also won four of the six defensive duels he was involved in and also won one of two offensive duels at the other end of the pitch.
Most of those numbers are up on Keane’s average. In the Premier League this season he’s averaged 5.21 interceptions, 9.28 recoveries and 2.61 clearances per 90 minutes. He’s also won 67.9 per cent of aerial duels this season so to win 100 per cent against Chelsea is brilliant.
Shearer’s verdict on Everton’s defensive display was spot on.
Keane wasn’t the only one to stand out on the night but the England international definitely impressed us as much as he impressed the ex-Newcastle striker.
In other Everton news, Kevin Campbell has delivered his verdict on Moise Kean’s future at Goodison.