By Sam Stone

19th Mar, 2023 | 7:10pm

Tony Bellew reacts amid Everton fan controversy after Chelsea 2-2 draw

Tony Bellew has responded to Ian Abrahams after the talkSPORT reporter took a dig at the travelling Everton fans in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea.

Sean Dyche’s men came from behind twice to earn a vital point at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening (18 March) and put some distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Abrahams had suggested (via Twitter, 18 March) the visiting support were celebrating a “famous draw” after the full-time whistle, a comment which led Bellew to respond.

“It’s called appreciating the effort the lads all put in Moose! Don’t hate son appreciate! You’re better than that soft lad,” said Bellew (personal Twitter, 19 March).

Spot on

Bellew is bang on and well within his right to back the travelling Toffees. They’ve just seen one of their younger players score a sensational goal to earn a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation – they’re more than entitled to be jubilant after the full-time whistle.

The narrative of slamming fans for celebrating certain results is pretty embarrassing. No matter the context, stealing a point or a victory at the death is going to be lauded. We all go to football games to celebrate and enjoy moments. Evertonians will remember Simms’ goal and the dying moments at Stamford Bridge for a long time. Moose does look rather silly after this tweet.

As for the result, it could well be a defining moment in the Toffees’ battle to avoid the drop. Despite Chelsea’s stop-start season, they will dispatch a number of relegation-threatened teams between now and the end of the campaign, so this is certainly a point gained for Everton.