Darren Bent reacts to ‘Strange’ Doucoure goal in Everton v Southampton
Darren Bent was baffled by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s “strange” goal for Everton in their 3-1 win against Southampton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Adam Armstrong gave the Saints the lead in the first half after a defensive lapse by Michael Keane but a stunning second-half display by the Blues secured all three points in Rafa Benitez’s first competitive game in charge.
Richarlison equalised just after the break before Doucoure netted after a great bit of play from Alex Iwobi.
Ex-England striker Bent was impressed by the impact Iwobi made when he came off the bench but struggled to understand how Doucoure managed to get his shot off at goal.
“It’s a really good finish,” said Bent on Sky Sports News on Saturday [04:31pm].
“Since Alex Iwobi came on for Andros Townsend, he’s made a real difference.
“He had an opportunity where he probably should have done a little bit better but he missed it.
“But then, it’s worked down the right-hand side really, really well. It’s Iwobi again and he gets fouled but the ref lets them play on to get the ball wide.
“And it’s really strange finish because I thought the chance had gone. [Doucoure] goes across the box, goes in with his left, it’s not really on so he chops back onto his right foot and he somehow digs out a shot. It’s a really, really good finish.”
It doesn’t matter how they go in
Everton’s second-half performance took us all a bit by surprise, if we’re honest.
The opening 45 minutes were hard to watch and Keane’s calamitous role in Armstrong’s goal summed up the performance by the Toffees.
However, whatever Benitez did or said at half-time really worked while the addition of Iwobi off the bench also turned the game in Everton’s favour.
Iwobi is by no means a fan favourite at the Grand Old Lady but if he keeps putting in shifts like that, he will be.
Doucoure is someone who we’re hoping to rely on this season because he’s a very good midfield player.
It was a good finish by him, no matter how Bent describes it.
It was also great to see Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin linking up for the latter to score.
We’ve come from behind to win all three points with three of our best players scoring at Goodison this weekend.
As far as opening matches go, that’s a superb result for Benitez.
In other Everton news, the Blues are worried about this big-money player after a major transfer development.
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