Henry Winter: Everton defender Michael Keane ‘one of the most likeable men’ in football
Everton defender Michael Keane is “one of the most likeable men” in football and rebounded in the Manchester United win, says The Times‘ Henry Winter.
The 29-year-old has endured a miserable few weeks that saw him widely criticised as the Toffees conceded numerous goals, while his mistake gave Phil Foden Manchester City’s winner (26 February) and he was sent off at West Ham (3 April).
Kevin Campbell said it “cannot get any worse”, Danny Murphy said the centre-back was “physically gone” on talkSPORT (via This Is Futbol), while Trevor Sinclair called him a “liability” on the same station.
But he was part of a much-improved display in the 1-0 win at Goodison on Saturday.
Winter wrote of the performance in The Times: “Michael Keane has always seemed a confidence player and that belief has been absent for too long.
“Keane, 29, was helped by Fabian Delph screening so adeptly and by the determination of team-mates such as Seamus Coleman.
“But a player who has taken so much criticism deserves praise for this performance; we must hope that one of the most likeable men in the sport maintains such form.”
Turning point?
Everyone connected to the club, and if Winter is right plenty of those who aren’t, will be hoping the victory will be a watershed for Keane.
He has looked overwhelmed at times over the last couple of months as the losses piled up.
Frank Lampard has repeatedly shuffled the personnel around at the back in the absence of the injured Yerry Mina, but before the weekend had rarely hit on a success.
The return of Delph clearly made a difference to the whole side, but Jordan Pickford was also in inspired form in goal against United.
Ben Godfrey was so good that Martin Keown couldn’t understand what had happened on the BT Sport match coverage.
The result, and crucially the performance, gives all of those players something to build on.
If they can all consolidate it by playing more like their reputations suggest then the chances of avoiding relegation will be much higher.
In other Everton news, Donny van de Beek shared some big news which drew reactions from plenty of Manchester United, Ajax and Netherlands stars, but apparently none from his current club.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.