Everton star accused of confrontation with Darren Ferguson – ‘Out of order’
Darren Ferguson has lamented an Everton player for an “out of order” confrontation in which he blasted the Peterborough United boss for a decision he made during Thursday’s game.
Ferguson – whose side were ultimately beaten 2-0 by the managerless Toffees at Goodison Park – decided against giving a cameo appearance to 18-year-old Tyler Young, whose father Ashley had been brought on for Everton in the second half.
Had Young Junior been introduced in the FA Cup third round tie against his dad, 39, it would have created English football history.
As quoted by Adrian Durham (via X, 9 January) from Ferguson’s post-match press conference, he said: “It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench, I wanted him on, but I’ve got to get a forward on to get a goal.
“One of their players had a pop at me which was out of order. I had to do what was best for my team.”
Young father and son did not face off in Everton v Peterborough
Despite Ashley Young admitting facing his son in a professional match would have been the moment of his career, it was unfortunately – for the football purists at least – not to be.
It is easy to point the finger at Ferguson, who was brought into professional football by his own father Sir Alex with a debut for Manchester United in 1990, with the final result looking comfortable for Everton.
However, the Toffees – overseen by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman following the sacking of Sean Dyche just hours prior – only led by a single Beto goal until Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty in the dying embers.
Ferguson elected to bring on a striker to hunt down an equaliser, whereas teenage talent Young had only made one appearance to date.
This had come in the EFL Trophy, and he was only named on the bench due to injuries having last appeared in the matchday squad on 12 October.
When Ashley was brought on with 17 minutes to go at Goodison, we all hoped, and maybe if the second had gone in earlier we could briefly have seen the father-son showdown. But context is important, it’s ultimately a professional environment.
Everton advance safely to round four, and will learn their fate in the coming days in the draw for the last 32.
In other Everton news, Ben Jacobs issues an update on David Moyes and The Friedkin Group.
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