Nick Ware

Sun 28 November 2021 19:10, UK

Roy Keane was effusive in his praise for Abdoulaye Doucoure after the Everton midfielder rectified an error from Michael Keane at Brentford.

Doucoure, 28, was forced to track back and prevent what appeared to be a clear one-on-one for a Brentford attacker in the first half of their 1-0 win over the Blues on Sunday.

Doucoure’s challenge came after some slack defending around the away side’s penalty area.

Speaking on on Sky Sports [27/11/21] at half-time, ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane said: “Poor defending by Everton again, Keane, but Doucoure, [a] good lesson from a midfielder, never give up.

“He’s got the wrong side of him but you can see, players can easily give this up, but he thought ‘no’, he gets chance with the touch there, good defensive pay, never give up, get back and do your job.

“He did a good job for the team there.”

Keane on Keane

Keane wasn’t particularly complimentary about his Everton namesake in the Sky Sports studio, and it’s no wonder.

The Everton defender was bought for big money from Burnley in 2017 and, despite periods of good form that have seen him around the England squad, has failed to provide security at the heart of the Blues backline.

He is supposed to be the organiser and leader of the defence, but his own shaky displays make a mockery of any attempts he makes to sort others out.

Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey are Everton’s best two central defenders, but the former’s injury record prevents him from being an automatic pick, and the Blues must sign another one in the upcoming transfer windows.

Keane wasn’t embarrassed at Brentford today, but Ivan Toney managed to comfortably deal with both defenders on his own and bring his teammates into play.

Everton need better, simple as that.

In other Everton news, Jeff Stelling has mooted a Blues move for this record-breaking forward live on Sky Sports.

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