Goodison Park ‘seething’ as Everton fight for Tottenham point – Henry Winter
A “seething” Goodison Park was key as Everton fought back or a point against Tottenham in dramatic fashion, according to Henry Winter.
The Times journalist reacted via Twitter on 3 February after a stoppage time leveller from in-demand Jarrad Branthwaite saw the game finish 2-2 as the Toffees were driven by controversy on the pitch as Beto was denied a late penalty moments before.
Winter claimed a “sense of injustice” off the pitch, with regards to the profit and sustainability referrals at the hands of the Premier League, combined with a similar feeling towards events on it, after fans were “angered” by Radu Dragusin challenges on the Everton striker, drove the team on.
Winter wrote: “Power of a seething Goodison so important again. EFC seem fuelled by sense of injustice on and off the pitch.
“PSR, Dragusin challenges on Beto angered them (shirt pull too?). Rewarded for fighting spirit. Some game. 2-2. Richarlison, Maddison superb [for] Tottenham.”
Everton overcome the odds as Branthwaite nets dramatic late goal
Whatever can inspire the players to find form again will need to be used at this stage of the season, with the excellent run of wins during December now a long time ago.
They had overcome the club’s 10-point deduction with relative ease, but with the threat of a second one now looming subject to appeals the performances on the pitch are looking far more of a struggle.
As if Everton needed extra obstacles to overcome in their repeated battles against the drop it seems never getting a penalty is going to continue to one.
After an apparent Antonee Robinson handball on the goal line was waved away in the goalless draw with Fulham on 30 January the Toffees, and Sean Dyche, were again left infuriated after a late appeal for a clash between Beto and Dragusin was ignored and still the club haven’t had a spot kick all season.
That Richarlison, once the star of the relegation survival at Goodison Park, had scored both Spurs goals only added to the strength of feeling as the 94th-minute equaliser went in to briefly haul Everton out of the bottom three prior to Lutons 4-4 draw with Newcastle later in the day.
In other Everton news, Deadline Day events saw the Toffees receive only part of a previously-agreed fee.
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