ITV pundit in disbelief at David de Gea as Conor Coady scores for Everton at Manchester United
David de Gea’s error that led to Conor Coady equalising for Everton at Manchester United left Lee Dixon absolutely stunned at Old Trafford.
Having gone behind through an Antony goal in just the fourth minute, Frank Lampard’s Toffees were gifted a route back into the game 10 minutes later when the Spanish keeper let a near-post ball from Neal Maupay through his legs for Coady to stab home.
Good work from Amadou Onana got Everton into the box but Dixon was as shocked as anyone to see De Gea let the ball ricochet between his legs at his near post rather than just knock it away.
Speaking live on the ITV match coverage of the game on Friday (6 January, 8.14pm) Dixon said: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing. David de Gea has had an absolute nightmare there. I’m not sure where he thinks the ball’s going.
“Does well there, Onana, just turns him. Then this next one, Maupay just hooks it. What is he doing there? He’s trying to let it go out for a goal kick, he has no idea.
“I cannot believe what I’ve just seen… He’s probably the best goalkeeper at making saves with his feet in world football.”
Commentator Sam Matterface then added of goalscorer Coady: “His son’s in the youth set-up at Finch Farm. He knows all about the club despite being a former Red. He is delighted that he has got his team back on level terms after what was a really sloppy start from Everton.”
Not again
An error-strewn opening saw the Toffees immediately under pressure, and behind from the first home attack, doing nothing to inspire some much-needed confidence.
But after Demarai Gray fired a shot from the edge of the area that hit the post and rebounded out for a corner off the United keeper, Everton recycled the set-piece and were given an incredible opportunity.
Lampard, wearing a black armband on the night in memory of former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli, would desperately like a positive result in Manchester given the side’s recent form.
His job is under the spotlight as the club face a second straight relegation battle, with the form and the atmosphere at the club appearing poor.
The start to the FA Cup tie suggested it would be nothing but more of the same, but the Coady goal looks to have instilled a bit of belief in the Everton players.
Jordan Pickford had already given the ball away cheaply with a poor clearance early but produced an excellent save to deny Marcus Rashford once the scores were brought level, and the game has certainly become more of a contest than appeared likely after the opening minutes, especially with the Toffees fans in fine voice at Old Trafford.