Bournemouth 2 Everton 2: Concern for Keane as Richarlison, Smith see red

An entertaining encounter saw Bournemouth and Everton settle for a share of the spoils as Richarlison and Adam Smith were both sent off.

Published : Aug 25, 2018 22:41 IST

A thrilling 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Everton ended in concerning fashion as Michael Keane 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 Richarlison's first-half sending off for retaliation against Adam Smith to establish what seemed a match-winning cushion courtesy of Theo Walcott and defender Keane.

But, though Smith himself received his marching orders in between that quickfire salvo, the Cherries snapped into action to net twice in four minutes and ensure both teams remain 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 headbutt as he reacted to full-back Smith's apparent provocation.

Read: Emery's men battle back for maiden triumph against West Ham

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 doubled the lead with a fine header.

The goals came either side of a 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 negative light.

 

What does it mean: Toffees have ticker

Though three points ultimately slipped away, there was enough evidence in Everton's recovery from Richarlison's sending-off to suggest new boss Silva has instilled a sense of resilience that will serve Everton well this term.

Pat on the back: Wilson rebounds to work wonders

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.

Boot up the backside: Smith wastes his reprieve

Fortunate to escape sanction for his part in the confrontation that saw Richarlison head for an early shower, Smith soon joined the Brazilian in the dressing room after unnecessarily impeding Walcott's progress. The defender can count himself fortunate not to have been the catalyst for a defeat.

Key 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 has been given in Premier League history; more than any other team in the competition.

What's next?

After midweek League Cup commitments, the Cherries face a tough trip to Chelsea, while Everton returns to Merseyside for a meeting with Huddersfield Town.

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