Andy Townsend unleashes on Idrissa Gana Gueye after what he did in Everton Premier League defeat v Arsenal
Andy Townsend unloaded both barrels on Idrissa Gana Gueye after the Everton midfielder was caught in possession during the Toffees’ defeat to Arsenal.
The summer signing was caught in possession by Bukayo Saka before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the Gunners’ lead after a VAR check.
Townsend was less than impressed with the 33-year-old whose error left the Toffees with a “mountain to climb”.
“That’s that lapse in concentration, that’s the moment where you’re just knocking it back to the goalkeeper,” said the BeIN Sports pundit (BeIN Sports 20:13, 1 March).
“What are you thinking? What are you waiting for? Bukayo Saka never gave it up, he stays on the move and thinks I am going to get it back and it’s.
“Just give it back to the goalkeeper. Now his team have a mountain to climb. He’s got his back to play the goalkeeper, just give it to him. It’s really poor play, that is.”
Awful
Townsend is right, what on earth was Gueye thinking? Even if there was a potential offside call, all he had to do was pass the ball back to Pickford and let the England international deal with it.
The second goal was an absolute killer and left the Toffees with a massive uphill task which they were never going to overcome. Against the best teams in the league, you cannot gift goals away and that’s what Everton did.
The end of the first half was a killer, particularly after what had been a relatively comfortable first period for Sean Dyche’s side. They had defended well and stifled Mikel Arteta’s men for the majority of the game.
However, realistically, this wasn’t a game Everton were expecting to win and they should now quickly turn their attention to Sunday’s huge clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Wednesday evening was certainly one to forget. Time to refocus and pick up a positive result on Sunday.