REBEL ROUSER
Revealed: How Unsworth went out with a bang.. by axing the ‘slackers’ then delivering passionate rallying call
DAVID UNSWORTH’S last act as Everton’s caretaker boss was to lay down the law to Morgan Schneiderlin and Kevin Mirallas – before his pep talk inspired a miraculous fightback.
Penalty-hero Leighton Baines revealed the Toffees scrambled an “emotional” victory from 2-0 down against Watford after Unsworth’s heartfelt call to arms.
But there was a dramatic backdrop to the Blues’ 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Sunday after £25million midfielder Schneiderlin and Belgium winger Mirallas were both axed from the squad after a training ground bust-up.
The pair face an uncertain future – even if Unsworth’s four-game spell holding the fort comes to an end during the international break.
Schneiderlin and Mirallas (both right) are understood to have been challenged about their alleged lack of commitment during a session led by first-team coach Duncan Ferguson.
Unsworth’s refusal to tolerate slacking was a bold move from a caretaker who had presided over three defeats.
Last night Schneiderlin released a statement denying he had been “sent away from training” and insisting: “I am fully committed to Everton and will continue to work hard for the club and the fans in training and on the pitch.”
On social media, sceptical supporters were unconvinced by the former Southampton and Manchester United midfielder’s protest.
Nor did Schneiderlin explain why he and Mirallas were dropped from the squad to face Watford. Baines capped the extraordinary comeback with a 90th-minute winner from the penalty spot which lifted Everton out of the drop zone.
And the former England full-back said: “We know we have good players who are better than the league table has been showing.
“It was good to win, and it was dramatic, so it feels great. But it’s still nothing to get carried away with. It’s the type of win we should be getting here at Goodison and hopefully it will build momentum.
“But it makes it extra special to win it for David Unsworth. He has been top drawer and I have loved the training sessions he has put on and the way he has conducted himself.
“His talk before the game against Watford was special. We would have liked to give him more, and achieve better results – but we have finally got him a win, which was the least he deserved.
“It is a definite momentumbuilder, even if it was an emotional rollercoaster.”