Looking Kabak in anger
EX-ANFIELD STAR SUFFERS ON MERSEYSIDE RETURN
OZAN KABAK never wanted to leave Liverpool but last night he couldn’t get out of Merseyside quick enough after helping gift Everton a hard-fought victory.
Anfield boss Jurgen
Klopp never took up the option to buy the defender in the summer after a loan spell from
Schalke.
That allowed Norwich to bring him back to the
Premier League, but at Goodison Park yesterday he endured a nightmare return to the area.
The Turkish defender was on the wrong end of a lengthy VAR decision which produced an Everton penalty stuck away by Andros Townsend, he was booked and could have been sent off for a late challenge on Demarai Gray before being substituted.
And how Everton, missing the firepower of the injured Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-lewin, needed a little help as they struggled against a side still without a point and seemingly hurtling back to the Championship.
It’s now a staggering 16 Premier League defeats on the spin for suffering Norwich boss Daniel Farke.
At least yesterday he couldn’t fault the spirit of his side who were denied by two excellent saves from fit-again England keeper Jordan Pickford.
Farke said: “It’s not a situation where we will dance on the table and it’s not a situation where we wave the white flag either. We were definitely not the worst side today.
“We can turn this around with hard work and we proved against Everton we’re not too far away.”
When you’re down and nearly out, the gods of fate often conspire against you as was proved midway through the first half.
As Allan burst into the box he went tumbling over Kabak’s outstretched leg rather theatrically. There were the predictable howls for a penalty. After a seemingly interminable wait for a VAR check, referee David Coote was advised to view the monitor.
And Norwich’s worst fears were realised with Coote turning on his heels and pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Townsend and he coolly sent Tim Krul the wrong way after some mind games from the Dutch international.
“I think it was the wrong decision. It’s not easy to stay firm in an emotional atmosphere of a home crowd,” added Farke.
For Everton, it’s their best start at home since 1989-90 but manager Rafa Benitez maintained: “It’s not about records, I like to win games. I’m pleased that the players are giving everything. The players who were scoring last season weren’t available but we had a great reaction. We will get better.”
Norwich weren’t in the mood to lie down and Pickford was called upon to make a couple of fine saves from the impressive Mathias Normann, who twice let fly from the edge of the area.
Ben Gibson should have done better, his close-range header glancing wide, and Norwich paid the price when the industrious Abdoulaye Doucoure made it 2-0 with 13 minutes to go.
Allan, Everton’s midfield enforcer, won the ball and the Toffees were on a spring-heeled break.
Gray took over, moved threateningly towards the area and slipped in Doucoure to finish confidently.
We were definitely not the worst side today. We can still turn this around and proved against Everton that we are not too far away.