Garth Crooks stunned by ‘extraordinary’ Michael Keane goal in Everton 1-1 draw v Tottenham Hotspur
Michael Keane’s equaliser for Everton against Tottenham has been described as “extraordinary” by BBC Sport columnist Garth Crooks.
The Toffees battled back from 1-0 down with ten men to snatch a point at Goodison Park after Keane lashed home a striker into the top corner from 25 yards out having given away the penalty which saw the team fall behind.
And Crooks, writing in his BBC Sport column (4 April), believes the penalty was a tackle that he didn’t have to make but praised his character for bouncing back so quickly and not allowing it to effect him too much.
“I find myself selecting Michael Keane for my team after making a tackle he didn’t have to make,” he said.
“Tottenham’s Cristian Romero had his back to goal and going in precisely the direction the Everton defender wanted him to go so why make the tackle?
“What impressed me most was Keane never allowed the mistake to affect his game and came up with an extraordinary equaliser.”
Rollercoaster
The performance of Keane against Tottenham was one of the wildest and biggest rollercoasters of the season.
He made a huge clearance off the line in the first half to deny Harry Kane, then gave away the penalty, then was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle that saw Lucas Moura get sent off before his stunning goal.
It showed the character he has to be able to bounce back and deliver in the same game as such a big low, and explains exactly why Sean Dyche has been relying on him since coming into Goodison Park.
Keane was outcasted by Frank Lampard but has now claimed a starting spot back ahead of fan-favourite Conor Coady and nobody is complaining about it.
He has delivered excellent performances for the most part and has started each of the last four games, with Everton unbeaten in that run. He’s been great and he’s earned this praise.