Everton fans will be forgiven tonight if their unbridled joy at watching the Toffees’ men’s side waltz into the Carabao Cup quarterfinals and women’s side similarly stroll into the FA Cup Final is tinged with worry after three of the men’s players had to leave the game with injuries.
Jonjoe Kenny appeared to fall awkwardly after blocking a shot with his planted leg, and held his ankle just before halftime as the Blues beat West Ham United 4-1 at Goodison Park. Then in the second half, Richarlison, who had been particularly lively in this game and close to scoring more than the one he got, seemed to catch his boot in the turf going in for a sliding challenge, and looked like he turned an ankle too. It got worse with just over twenty minutes to play before the game was out of sight, when Allan seemed to tweak something in his groin trying to make a tackle at full tilt.
Speaking after the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti could not hid his concern for the trio of injured players, but also tried to play down their seriousness.
“I think it will not be too bad. Kenny and Richarlison have ankle twists and Allan had a slight abductor problem. We will see tomorrow but it seems not too bad.
“Richarlison had a twist on his ankle. Jonjoe Kenny the same. It seemed not so bad. I hope they can recover soon... Richarlison I think can recover for Saturday. Allan & Kenny, more difficult.”
Ancelotti would have been looking at the upcoming international break after Saturday’s clash against Brighton & Hove Albion as an opportunity to rest the first XI that he has rolled out in three consecutive Premier League games. However, with Allan’s injury it’s looking likely that might have to change.