This remind you of anyone, Cristiano!

ANDROS TOWNSEND denied he was being disrespectful to Cristiano Ronaldo by copying the Manchester United star’s trademark goal celebration after scoring Everton’s equaliser, writes Chris

Wheeler at Old Trafford.

Townsend raced over to the Everton fans in the south-east corner of Old Trafford and imitated Ronaldo when he scored in the 65th minute yesterday.

Not surprisingly, Ronaldo rejected Townsend’s request for his No.7 shirt (below) as he stormed down the tunnel at the end, but the Everton man insisted that no offence was intended by the celebration.

‘Not imitating, it’s just a mark of respect to a guy who influenced my career,’ said Townsend. ‘I spent many hours in training and in the video room trying to analyse his free-kicks and his stepovers and the way he dedicated himself to football.

‘So it wasn’t an imitation it was a mark of respect to one of my idols. I probably didn’t do the celebration justice and didn’t execute it properly.’

The former England winger was delighted with his fifth goal in the last nine games for Everton, but claimed that Rafa Benitez’s side could easily have come away with a win.

‘It’s a difficult one because on the one hand we’re delighted to come to Old Trafford and get a point with the injuries we have, but we’re disappointed not to take all three,’ added Townsend.

‘I’m loving my football and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to play for Everton and to contribute and score goals.

‘I’ve said many times in the past I should be scoring goals on a more consistent basis. For one reason or another, I’ve never really done it over the course of the season. It’s been a good start but I’m capable of much more.’