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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

What Michael Keane did after sending off as Everton end goes wild for Mason Holgate

Early warning

It was clear from even the early stages of Sunday's match that counter-attacks were going to be a thorn in the side for Everton. Even though the visitors had begun the game well in terms of their possession and driving towards the final third, West Ham still looked a threat on the counter attack.

In the opening stages of the match, that was apparent when a Blues move broke down on the flank just outside the hosts' penalty area. Both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jonjoe Kenny attempted crosses into the box, but they were aimless and easily defended by the Hammers.

Straight away, they broke down to the other end of the pitch with a swift and effective counter-attack before Pablo Fornals was suddenly presented with a big opportunity and a goal gaping in front of him. Thankfully, Jordan Pickford was alert to the danger and reacted quickly to rush out and smother the shot before it caused too much danger to his goal.

However, that was clearly a warning sign for Frank Lampard's side in the opening stages. One which they didn't take heed of by the time Jarrod Bowen scored in the second half.

READ MORE: Alan Shearer names two 'stupid' Everton players after West Ham United defeat

READ MORE: Richard Keys makes 'frightening' Everton claim after talking to Andy Gray

Head on the line

In general, despite heading into the break a goal down, Everton were fairly solid in the opening 45 minutes on Sunday afternoon. They were pressing fairly well high up the pitch, playing some nice football in the midfield, and weren't exactly being peppered in front of their own goal either.

Whenever crosses were coming into the box at that point of the match, Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey were equal to the danger and were able to make a number of clearances. Once of those particularly saw the latter come up against Michail Antonio directly.

As the striker attempted an acrobatic effort inside the box, the Everton centre-back threw his head into the challenge without a care and got to the ball first. In turn, he took a boot to the face for his troubles.

After initially going down, it was clear that Godfrey had not been hurt by the collision and both players were amicable in the aftermath. They knew it was an accident, so they shook hands and went about the rest of the game without a hitch.

Half time 'entertainment'

As is becoming the norm around the Premier League, there was a selection of half-time entertainment segments offered at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon. That included a quiz, which question which of three options of player did NOT play for both West Ham and Everton - Marlon Harewood, Trevor Sinclair or Don Hutchison.

Those among you with strong memories will realise that, in fact, two of those players never pulled on an Everton shirt. As it turned out, Sinclair was apparently the right answer - despite Harewood never playing for Everton either.

The customary music then followed that debacle, with the theme tune of wrestler Triple H blaring over the speakers as the Blues made their way back onto the pitch. If only they'd have taken notice and knew it was "time to play the game".

Wild celebrations

Everton did, briefly at least, find themselves level in this match. From a corner which West Ham couldn't deal with, Richarlison eventually poked the ball in the direction of Mason Holgate, who was a late addition into the game after Donny van de Beek pulled up in the warm-up.

The centre-back, taking a place in midfield, connected well with his volley - but it was a huge deflection which diverted it into the bottom corner of the net. Evertonians didn't care though, for the first time in an away Premier League match since February 8th, they had a goal to celebrate.

And they absolutely didn't waste the opportunity. The scenes in the away end were something to behold as hope finally seemed to have been all-too-briefly sparked in a group that have been dragged through the mire this season.

One fan near the front of the celebrations instantly took his white t-shirt off and swung it around his head as his fellow Evertonians fell around him. Someone else in another part of the away section lit up a flare, the smell of which was still apparent when West Ham had actually retaken their lead just a few minutes later.

Knowing look

The game was truly over for the Blues when Keane was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. The defender had been booked for a cynical challenge in the first half, which he could have no complaints about.

Shortly after West Ham's first goal, Everton almost instantly gave the ball away on the kick off before Antonio was almost played in behind the defence. Keane dragged the striker down and picked up his caution, and his face told you he had no complaints.

The same happened in the second period when his reckless and mis-timed challenge again brought down the same Hammers player. He lunged in, never looked like winning the ball, and caught his opponent.

The look on his face instantly told you he knew what was about to happen. He trudged off without a glance towards Lampard as he made the long walk down the tunnel and back to the dressing room.

The manager later revealed that he hadn't seen a replay, but in real time he thought the tackle looked like a yellow card. He doesn't need to see it again, he's absolutely right.

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