Jeff Stelling and Tim Sherwood react to ‘whole scale ruck’ as Everton vs Leeds United match erupts
Jeff Stelling and Tim Sherwood reacted live on Sky Sports as Everton vs Leeds United erupted into a “whole-scale ruck” at Goodison Park.
As a frenetic first-half ticked towards a conclusion Tyler Adams clashed with Dwight McNeil on the Toffees left wing, with the attacker pushed into the advertising hoardings by the American.
Both sets of players piled into the melee with Abdoulaye Doucoure particularly furious with what he had seen, and it took consultation between the officials on the pitch and in the video booth to book all three of the aforementioned players, as well as a combative Weston McKennie, for the drama.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (18 February, 3.43pm) Sherwood said: “It’s all spilled over. There’s a melee. It’s more than that, everyone’s involved.
“Andrew Madley’s going to need some help from the VAR because I think it was a little bit more. Tyler Adams were certainly involved, he puts Dwight McNeil into the boards towards the crowd.
“He’s got his yellow card out so hopefully no-one’s getting sent off… Looks like Doucoure’s getting a yellow, certainly Adams will.
“It’s really entertaining, lacks quality.”
Stelling added: “It was a whole-scale ruck, no question about that.”
Pressure
It was a high-energy but relatively low-quality start to the game, perhaps unsurprisingly given the stakes resting on this game.
Both sides were committed without managing to nit anything together to any real effect once they reached the final third.
Coming in a point and a place apart at the wrong end of the Premier League table, either side would benefit hugely from taking all three at Goodison and depriving the opposition of anything.
Even when presented with a pair of inviting chances mid-way through the opening half, once when Illan Meslier dropped a high ball under pressure from Amadou Onana, and then when Dwight McNeil whipped a cross through the six-yard box that went begging, there wasn’t the necessary conviction in attack.
Everton may have the better of the opening 45 minutes but without anything to show for it that won’t mean much, and these players have to harness the atmosphere produced by the homes fans to make it count over the rest of the game.
Clearly there is fight there, but when Dyche has his players on top he needs them to score goals, but it isn’t a new problem that this side lacks firepower.