Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure lost the plot in melee v Leeds United in Premier League
Abdoulaye Doucoure “lost the plot” during an ugly melee in the relegation showdown between Everton and Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday (18 February), according to the Sunday People.
Tensions were heightened during the 1-0 win for Sean Dyche’s side at Goodison Park when ex-Burnley player Dwight McNeil got stuck into a scrap with Tyler Adams that saw half-dozen players from either side require separation by officials.
Doucoure was one of such players who were involved in the “ugly” first-half flare-up after he had witnessed his teammate being thrown into the advertising boards but the American midfielder.
The Sunday People (19 February, page 60) wrote: “They rushed in to protect Dwight McNeil in an ugly flare-up at the end of the first half, bringing bookings for the former Burnley winger as well as Abdoulaye Doucoure, who had seriously lost the plot.
“And on the touchline Dyche, wearing his trademark game face, was urging them on like a seasoned corner man who’e seen it all.”
Dyche-ball
If a moment of the match highlighted the attitude Dyche had brought into the building with him when he was appointed manager of Everton, this was it.
Against a manageress Leeds side, who were travelling under a mountain of pressure following their recent troubles in the league, the Toffees set out with the aim to get the Goodison Park faithful behind them with some good-old-fashioned rough and tumble.
Doucoure’s role in the scrap was somewhat comical as he charged into the vicinity of the melee like a WWE fighter, before getting stuck into the action.
As the game went on, such tactics started to bore success, as Leeds became frustrated with Everton’s physical style of play and started to feel the pressure.
Although moments like this may be ugly, it was a phycological reminder to Everton opponents that they wouldn’t have it all their own way in the relegation scrap.