James Tarkowski stuns pundit with ‘incredibly brave’ sacrifice in Everton draw at Sheffield United
Jim Beglin was stunned by James Tarkowski’s “incredibly brave” late block to preserve Everton a point at Sheffield United.
The pundit reacted live on the world feed match commentary on Saturday (2 September) as the Toffees defender had the ball “thundered” into the side of his head from close range by Jack Robinson in the 90th minute.
The Blades man smashed the ball in the direction of Jordan Pickford’s goal and was blocked by Tarkowski, who was forced to leave the field as a result in case of a head injury and subsequently sacrificed by Sean Dyche so Ben Godfrey could defend the corner.
Beglin said (2.20pm): “Oh this is incredibly brave from Tarkowski. You talk about putting your body on the line, that qualifies.
“Oh, I mean he’s taken that full on. It’s absolutely been thundered into his head from Robinson.”
Committed
It was the best of Tarkowski even if he might not have known a huge amount about it, but he was in the right position to prevent possible late danger.
There were a number of positives on the day from an Everton side which finally scored it first goals of the season through Abdoulaye Doucouré and Arnaut Danjuma, while registering their first point.
But there was still a win on offer here, and given the unfortunate nature of the second Sheffield United goal which went in off the back of Jordan Pickford after hitting the post just before the half the Toffees might feel unlucky not to take all three points.
And yet it still took a crucial intervention even after after Tarkowski had been withdrawn, with Pickford keeping the Blades out deep into added time.
Clearly Dyche’s Everton are once again a work in progress after the manager lost a number of players during the transfer window, and didn’t get as many in as he would have hoped for.
Some absent men are starting to return to fitness and the draw away from home has at least got the season belated up and running.
In other Everton news, the club have been accused of not “significantly” trying to capture last-gasp signing on deadline day.