George Overhill

Tue 4 April 2023 9:10, UK

Rio Ferdinand hailed former teammate Michael Keane’s equaliser for Everton against Tottenham for helping their former side’s top four hopes.

The 1-1 draw on Monday night (3 April) left Spurs and Manchester United level on 50 points in the race for Champions League qualification, after the centre-back stepped forward with the clock ticking towards 90-minutes to bast the Toffees level from range.

It cancelled out a penalty by the unpopular Harry Kane, and brought Everton back from a goal and a man down on the hour to level in numbers and on the scoreboard half an hour later.

Posting on his personal Twitter account following the final whistle Ferdinand wrote: “Keano wants United to make the top 4… some strike!

“BOOOOOM!”

Fight

Keane was outstanding on the night to demonstrate a striking comeback both from looking destined for an Everton exit when left out in the cold by Frank Lampard, but also appearing finished as a top level defender this time a year ago.

Under former Burnley boss Sean Dyche, and alongside his one-time Turf Moor teammate James Tarkowski he has looked a man reborn in recent weeks.

And none more so than against Tottenham, with only the unfortunate concession of the penalty that looked to have handed all three points to the visitors to detract from an excellent performance before and after.

He had already cleared one off the line in the first half as part of an all-round strong defensive performance in conjunction with the equally impressive Tarkowski.

And he picked himself up after the late foul that saw Lucas Moura join Abdoulaye Doucouré in being shown a straight red so hammer home the stunning equaliser.

His exit at the end of the season looked like a foregone conclusion a matter of weeks ago, with Conor Coady’s permanent signing the same in reverse, but now the two have not only swapped places within the squad but perhaps also with their longer-term prospects on Merseyside.