Darren Bent slams Michael Keane in first half of Everton v Southampton
Darren Bent blasted Michael Keane after the Everton defender’s indecisiveness led to Southampton going ahead at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Keane was caught in possession by Southampton forward Che Adams, who won the ball before playing in Adam Armstrong to score his first goal for the south coast club on his debut.
Speaking after the goal, former Tottenham striker Bent, who’s now a pundit for Sky Sports, ripped into Keane and claimed the centre-back had numerous options before he was dispossessed by Adams.
“Great finish but really poor defending. I think it’s Michael Keane,” said Bent on Sky Sports News on Saturday afternoon [03:21pm].
“He gets the ball and he dilly-dallies on it. He doesn’t make a decision, doesn’t go back to [Jordan Pickford], he doesn’t clear it and gets caught in possession.
“To be fair, it’s Che Adams who gets onto him and pokes it through to Adam Armstrong, who runs through and has all the time in the world to make a decision. What does he do with it? He opens his body up and passes it into the far top corner. Really good finish from him.
“That’s all Southampton have had but Michael Keane from a defensive point of view, he’s got all the time in the world. Clear it, pass it – do something.”
Embarrassing
What was Keane doing?
Rafa Benitez won’t be pleased with that because even though the opening 45 minutes wasn’t a great one for Everton, we should be at least level.
Keane’s mistake cost us that goal because Southampton’s forwards know how to find the back of the net if you give them an opportunity.
Hopefully people don’t start pointing the finger at Benitez for that because Keane is someone who should be doing far better than that. It was embarrassing defending.
We need to perform a lot better after the break.
Southampton’s attacking players may start to tire out and that could give the midfield more of a freedom to express themselves.
But based on the evidence so far, this squad is still one that is way short of qualifying for European football this season.
If anything, we’ll be lucky to finish in the top half.
Benitez has his work cut out but this is on the players right now.
In other Everton news, the Blues are worried about this big-money player after a major transfer development.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.