A thrilling 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Everton ended in concern for England defender Michael Keane who was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace following a sickening aerial collision in stoppage time.
The scorer of Everton’s second goal required oxygen following a mid-air clash with team-mate Idrissa Gueye, forcing a lengthy break in play and overshadowing what had been an eventful clash featuring two red cards.
Keane’s injury came after Bournemouth had impressively cancelled out a two-goal deficit, Joshua King converting a 75th-minute penalty and Nathan Ake prodding home an equaliser four minutes later.
Everton had earlier defied key man Richarlison’s first-half sending off for retaliation against Adam Smith to establish what seemed a match-winning cushion courtesy of Theo Walcott and Michael Keane.
But, though Smith himself received his marching orders in between that quick-fire salvo, the Cherries snapped into action to net twice in four minutes to ensure both teams remained unbeaten after their opening three Premier League fixtures
Eddie Howe’s men appeared certain to secure a third successive victory when Richarlison was dismissed late in the first half; the in-form winger punished for a gentle head-butt as he reacted to full-back Smith’s apparent provocation.
Everton had other ideas though, and stunned the home crowd by scoring twice in 21 minutes after the interval, Walcott first beating Asmir Begovic at his near post before Keane doubling the lead with a fine header.
The goals came either side of a Adam Smith red card for pulling back Walcott that had seemed set to condemn the Cherries to defeat, only for another unlikely comeback to be mounted courtesy of King – converting a penalty won by Callum Wilson – and Ake, who bundled home at point-blank range shortly before Keane’s injury cast the contest into a concerning light.
Wilson doesn’t score but impacts heavily
The in-form Wilson, at fault for two wasteful finishes either side of half-time, refused to let the errors affect him as he almost single-handedly brought his team back into the contest, winning the penalty that allowed King to halve the deficit and later heading on the Jordon Ibe corner from which Ake equalised. He has started the season impressively and looks to have improved his overall gameplay.
Everton show resolve
Much has been made of Marcos Silva’s spends, he would be proud how his team responded to going a man down. Though three points ultimately slipped away, there was enough evidence in Everton’s recovery to suggest the new boss has instilled a sense of resilience that will serve them well this term.
After midweek League Cup commitments, the Cherries face a tough trip to Chelsea, while Everton return to Merseyside for a meeting with Huddersfield Town
Opta Stats
– Theo Walcott’s goal for Everton was the first shot on target for either side in this match (55:24).
– Joshua King has been directly involved 38 Premier League goals for Bournemouth (31 goals, seven assists); 14 more than any other player.
– Richarlison’s red card was the 91st that Everton have been given in Premier League history; more than any other team in the competition.
