Tensions flare numerous times as Everton youngster shows fight from sideline his team-mates lacked

The moments you might not have picked up on in the meek loss at Molineux.
Everton defender Michael Keane was involved in several arguments with team-mates in the loss to Wolves. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesEverton defender Michael Keane was involved in several arguments with team-mates in the loss to Wolves. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Everton defender Michael Keane was involved in several arguments with team-mates in the loss to Wolves. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Everton’s concerning form continued as they fell to a third successive Premier League defeat at Wolves on Monday night.

The Toffees were deserved 2-1 losers at Molineux and have dropped to 10th in the table.

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Max Kilman opened the scoring for the home side in the 28th minute before Raul Jimenez doubled their advantage four minutes later.

Alex Iwobi reduced the arrears for the Toffees on 66 minutes but it proved nothing but a consolation goal.

Those were the memorable moments of the clash.

But here are some of the events you might not have picked up on.

Allan and Keane’s quarrel

It was a first half where tensions boiled over several times among those in royal blue.

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As Wolves strangled Everton into submission, tempers flared on more than one occasion.

Bruno Lage’s outfit thought they'd taken the lead in the 15th minute when Hwang Hee-chan finished cutely off the post. Luckily, a VAR review ruled the effort offside, giving the Toffees a brief reprieve.

Still, it didn't stop Allan and Michael Keane from having a slanging match after the ball found the back of the net.

Michael Keane battles Raul Jiminez for the ball. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesMichael Keane battles Raul Jiminez for the ball. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Michael Keane battles Raul Jiminez for the ball. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

It was the former who starting thing by unleashing his frustration at Keane. It appeared Allan thought the defender was dragged out of position too easily by Jimenez in the lead up to the goal.

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Keane fought his case, though, seemingly pinpointing that Jimenez was allowed to drift into an area of the pitch that Allan should have been commanding.

After the goal was disallowed, a more constructive conversation was held between the pair about what was needed to improve.

It had little effect, though, as things didn’t improve at the back or in the engine room.

Coleman's rage

There's not much Seamus Coleman hasn't seen during his 12 years at Goodison.

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And the captain knew that Everton's performance fell well below what is required.

Seamus Coleman dejected at the final whistle. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesSeamus Coleman dejected at the final whistle. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Seamus Coleman dejected at the final whistle. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

He was the next player to lose his rag as Wolves again forayed deep into Toffees territory with the utmost of ease.

After a sliding challenge to thwart Jimenez’s cross-shot, Coleman responded by smashing the ball into the advertising hoarding out of anger. Some of that was likely as he knew his own performance had been sub-standard.

Coleman then took to reading the riot act to Keane and Mason Holgate, both of who he was unhappy with.

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Unfortunately, that didn't work. From the resulting corner, Kilman rose above Keane and Ben Godfrey to head home.

Clearly, the message didn’t get through and there’s an argument it made Everton lose some focus defending the set-piece.

Gordon’s spark

There was a real lack of vim and verve throughout the first half.

Had Everton been as sluggish after the interval as they were in the opening 45 minutes then they would have been on the receiving end of another thrashing.

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An injection of intensity was needed - and one player off the pitch tried to add that.

When the ball went out of play for a throw-in on the left-hand side, Anthony Gordon was warming up nearby.

Anthony Gordon impressed when he came on for Everton at Wolves. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesAnthony Gordon impressed when he came on for Everton at Wolves. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Anthony Gordon impressed when he came on for Everton at Wolves. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

He sprinted as quickly as possible to ensure no additional time was lost in the Blues' pursuit of a comeback.

Then after play resumed, he was giving out orders to assist his team-mates in making the right decisions.

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It was a level of maturity displayed by the 20-year-old which shows how well respected he is in the squad.

And when he came on, he showed the exact same enthusiasm. Gordon caught the eye during his late cameo, causing Wolves plenty of problems down the right flank.

He also went close to bagging an equaliser but he glancing header was denied by goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Gordon was desperately unlucky to lose his place in the starting XI, having been the only player to emerge from the dismal 5-2 loss to Watford with any sort of credit.

Surely the academy product will come back into the team against Tottenham on Sunday.

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