BBC Match of the Day pundit Leon Osman wowed by ‘outstanding’ Michael Keane in Everton v Chelsea
Leon Osman was wowed by Michael Keane’s defensive display for Everton on Thursday night as they drew 1-1 away at Chelsea.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s 74th-minute goal saw the Blues come from behind to win a point at Stamford Bridge, four minutes after Mason Mount’s opener.
After the game, Match of the Day pundit and ex-Evertonian Osman waxed lyrical about the improvements in the second half and heaped special praise on Keane for his display at centre-back.
“Everton’s midfield was nowhere near anyone to put pressure on but that changed in the second half,” said Osman on Match of the Day on Thursday night.
“Everton got tight and when they did, Michael Keane, who was outstanding, was keen to step into the situation to make sure Chelsea didn’t have space.”
Solid
Keane has been an ever-present for Rafa Benitez this season with the 28-year-old playing every minute of every Premier League game for the Spanish boss.
However, the former Burnley defender’s performances haven’t been up to scratch for most of the time, which is true to what most of his spell at Goodison Park has been.
Keane is an inconsistent performer. One week he’ll play a blinder while the next, he’ll be looking like an absolute liability at the back.
But against Chelsea, it was the former with the 12-times England international really impressing at Stamford Bridge.
Stats by WhoScored show that Keane won all three of the tackles he attempted against Chelsea. Andre Gomes [4] was the only player with more on both teams in the whole match.
Keane also made the most clearances out of everyone on the pitch [5] and won four of the five aerial duels. Again, no player completed more than him.
It was a solid display by the experienced Blues defender and we really hope that he can build on that and continue to impress in the coming weeks.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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