Richard Keys issues ‘stupid’ verdict live on beIN Sports after what he saw in Burnley v Everton
Richard Keys hit out at “stupid” Vincent Kompany for refusing to change his style of play after Burnley fell to a 2-0 defeat against Everton.
The Toffees eased to victory at Turf Moor on Saturday (16 December) thanks to first-half goals from Amadou Onana and Michael Keane.
Burnley won plenty of admirers for their passing style in earning promotion back to the Premier League, but they have badly struggled this term.
Speaking at full-time on beIN Sports’ live coverage of the game, Andy Gray questioned why Kompany persists with this same style of play.
“If he had the players, the equivalent of the top six in the league, then he might be able to get away with playing the way he wants,” Gray said.
“I think it’s been almost naive. I didn’t think I’d use that word with Kompany because he’s been in this league long enough.
“It’s naive to think you can come up and do exactly what you did in the Championship with inferior players to the ones you come up against every week.”
Keys interjected with: “I’m more frustrated than you so I’ll give you a different word: Stupid. It really is.”
Swift Championship return
In fairness to Kompany, he has made clear that he will live and die by this style of football. In the Belgian’s view, if it is good enough to get his side into the division, it is good enough to keep them there.
On the basis of the opening 17 games of the season, however, it is looking like it will be a swift return to the second tier for the Clarets.
Everton, for their part, brilliantly countered Burnley’s style of play and in the end it was a rather routine victory in Lancashire.
Sean Dyche may not be talked about as a future manager of one of the elite clubs, unlike Kompany was, but the experienced boss has showed he is capable of adapting.
Everton fans will just hope Burnley persist with this style of football under Kompany, because it will mean one less relegation spot to worry about.
That said, the win at Turf Moor has surely put paid to any fears of relegation being an issue for Everton this season, and for that Dyche deserves massive praise.
In other Everton news, one Toffees regular disappointed with a 4/10 performance at Turf Moor.