Everton boss Rafa Benitez sends frank message to Moise Kean after his straight red card at Huddersfield

Moise Kean has been told to learn from his sending off after almost costing Everton a spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The striker was given his marching orders in the 59th minute of Tuesday night’s trip to Championship Huddersfield when the game was locked at 1-1.

Kean’s petulant shove on Terriers winger Sorba Thomas saw referee Matt Donohue brandish a straight red card, with the Italian having few complaints as he walked off the pitch.

Luckily for Kean, the Toffees dug deep to find a match-winner despite having a numerical disadvantage. Andros Townsend fied home a late winner to ensure the visitors’ passage into the next round of the competition.

Reaction

Everton boss Rafa Benitez said: “The sending off of Moise Kean changed everything, our approach and we had to adjust to too many things. I didn’t see the first part of the incident, I saw when they were pushing each other so I cannot say.

“I think it’s still in many ways a mistake, we cannot lose our temper but he’s a young player, hopefully he can learn from that. But the reaction of the team was very good.

“I liked the second goal and the way things finished for us. The character, the dedication, the commitment of the players was great and I think that’s what the fans were expecting from this team.”

Fighting spirit hailed

Benitez made nine changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday.

Everton took the lead through Alex Iwobi in the 26th minute before Tom Lees headed home Huddersfield’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Kean’s sending off put the home side in the driving seat despite being of the division below.

But the Blues showed admirable resolve, with Townsend rifling home a 79th-minute winner after being teed-up by substitute Andre Gomes to settle matters.

Not for the first time during his short tenure as Goodison Park boss, Benitez lauded the fighting qualities his troops displayed.

He said: “We know when you start playing and the team is working and showing commitment on the pitch, the fans are happy with that.

“They can see we are trying to improve every single player, they know the difficulty of the Financial Fair Play rules for us and they appreciate we are professionals and are fighting for our club.

“That is very clear and today they showed again this support – and this is the main thing for me, that they know we will be here, trying to our best every day, every hour.

“I think the game was more or less exactly what we were expecting.

“We didn’t take the chances we had at the beginning and gave them some hope, then they were growing in confidence - especially when we were playing with 10 players.

“That was something we were expecting, something we managed at the end in a good way.

“As I said, the reaction of our players was quite good. So, I’m pleased for our players and, hopefully, Huddersfield will do well during the season.”

What’s next

Everton are back on the road in the Premier League on Saturday.

They travel to the south coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion, who have won both of their opening fixtures of the season.

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