Cenk Tosun of Everton believes he would have preferred not to score the 97th-minute equaliser against Tottenham if it meant Andre Gomes would not have suffered his horrible ankle injury.
Gomes had surgery on Monday for a broken dislocation of his right ankle.
Spurs’ Son Heung-min was sent off in the 79th minute for a rash challenge on the Portuguese midfielder.
Everton players “nearly cried” in the dressing room, according to Tosun.
“You win, you draw, you lose, but all of that doesn’t matter when something like this happens,” Tosun posted on Instagram.
“I wish I hadn’t scored, that we hadn’t lost 0-5 and that this hadn’t happened.” I believe you’ll come back stronger than ever, bro, and we’ll be here for you.”
A six-minute halt occurred while doctors treated to Gomes.
The event appeared benign at first, but the atmosphere quickly shifted among the players and spectators as the full nature of the injuries became clear.
After Tosun’s header cancelled out Dele Alli’s earlier attempt, the game ended 1-1.
“Everyone is depressed on the inside. “Some players almost cried,” claimed replacement Tosun, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes when the event occurred.
“He was stunned; his eyes were wide open.” He was sobbing, shouting, and screaming.
“I just held him and spoke to him.” I attempted to encourage him to be calm. We couldn’t comprehend what he was saying.”
Everton is looking into a racist complaint made at a Tottenham Hotspur game.
Everton manager Marco Silva encouraged Gomes, 26, to return stronger and complimented his players for their attitude to Sunday’s Premier League contests, calling them “more than a football game.”
“This is a bad moment for us and our team – this was more than a football game,” he stated. “We will give Andre and his family our full support.” We must stick together and maintain the spirit we shown after the catastrophe.
“Our players are sad right now, it’s a difficult time for us in the locker room and for Andre, but I think the spirit we showed after that moment on the pitch is a good answer for you.”
“He is seriously injured but I am 100% sure Andre will become stronger as a football player and as a man, because he is a fantastic lad, a fantastic professional.”
When questioned about his teammate, Everton midfielder Fabian Delph looked to be upset in a post-match TV interview.
“He’s one of our brothers, someone we care about deeply,” the former Manchester City player stated. “It’s difficult to put into words. The sooner we can communicate, the better. It was tough to see that.”
According to the TV replay, Gomes was injured after Son’s tackle but before colliding with full-back Serge Aurier.
After the final whistle, Alli says he spotted Son weeping in the locker room.
“I didn’t want to dwell on what happened,” the England midfielder explained. “I’d like to extend my best wishes to Andre.”
“Son is heartbroken and in tears; it’s not his fault.” Son is one of the most pleasant guys you’ve ever met. He can’t even lift his head up because he’s sobbing so hard.
“The injury does play on your mind during the match but you have to stay professional.”
Pat Nevin, a former Toffees midfielder who worked as a summariser for BBC Radio 5 Live at Goodison Park, detailed the happenings of the match.
“This is horrible, horrible,” the Scot said. “The players appear devastated, and there is complete confusion here.” Players who are holding their heads in their hands.
“Son intentionally tackles Gomes, but he does not cause the injury.” From that challenge, he is hurled upon Aurier. To blame Son and claim he did it on purpose is just incorrect. Son isn’t like that; he’s not that type of person.
“He does not deserve the treatment he will receive on social media.” He’s sad since he was the root of the problem, yet it wasn’t his fault. It’s just something that occurs in football.”
Referee Martin Atkinson issued Son a yellow card before switching to a red card.
The Premier League clarified: “The red card for Son was for endangering the safety of a player, which happened as a consequence of his initial challenge.”
Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, feels the attacker had no intention of harming Gomes and believes VAR should have been used to overturn the dismissal.
“It was clear that Son never intended to cause the problem that occurred later.” “It’s incredible to see a red card,” he stated.
“We’re all sorry for Andre. In this difficult time, I want to express my warmest wishes to him and his family. On behalf of the squad, we would like to send our
Pochettino also said that Everton captain Seamus Coleman, who was sidelined for a year after suffering a double-fracture of his lower leg in March 2017, communicated with Son following his injury.
“The Everton players were great. “The captain came into the dressing room to console Son,” the Argentine explained.
“I want to say thank you to the players and Coleman, who came in on behalf of the squad of Everton.”
