Sky Sports pundit punches the air at full time as Everton record crucial win over Leeds United
Sue Smith punched the air as the final whistle blew and Everton recorded a crucial win over Leeds United, according to Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports.
Seamus Coleman’s second half goal, which may or may not have been a cross, was a enough for Sean Dyche’s Toffees to take all three points in a game where they had been on top throughout but couldn’t find the net.
The result lifts Everton out of the relegation zone and above their below-par opponents on a day which could end up proving crucial in May, and Toffees supporting Smith couldn’t hide her delight.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday as the final whistle was blown (18 February, 4.53pm) Tim Sherwood said: “Yes! It’s all over, three points, a vital three points for Everton.”
Stelling then said: “Full time there as Everton fans salute their team. Sue Smith, who should be watching her own game, punches the air as well because Everton have won by a goal to nil.”
“It was a bit of a fluke from Coleman but it’s good enough for them and they’re out of the relegation places and go above Leeds United in the table.”
Release
Points from wherever they can be taken are vital for Dyche and his side at the moment, but depriving a direct rival for the drop at the same time makes all the difference.
It is now six points from nine since the former Burnley boss took over, and both home performances have been major improvements over the final weeks of the Frank Lampard era.
If he can continue to get results like this at Goodison Park at least, then Premier League safety can be secured once more.
It was full-throttle from both sides from the first whistle, with neither able to inject much real quality throughout, but Everton had the better of the chances and both James Tarkowski and Neal Maupay had chances cleared off the line before a melee saw a flurry of yellow cards prior to the interval.
There were fewer obvious scoring opportunities after the break and it looked like perhaps the lack of cutting edge in attack would prevent the Toffees from making their dominance pay.
So it was a huge relief for the home fans to see captain Coleman fire straight in from out wide in the right hand channel, taking advantage of a huge gap left by Illan Meslier in the visitors’ goal, likely not expecting a shot from that position.
But whether the Irishman meant it or not will not matter to anyone connected to the club after a massively-important victory.