Andros Townsend believes Everton’s never-say-die attitude in their FA Cup win against Hull City. Proves that Everton “are still fighting” for manager Rafael Benitez.
Everton went behind Tyler Smith’s header for just 45 seconds. But fought to take the lead thanks to Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes.
Hull equalised with Ryan Longman, but Townsend’s strike won it in extra time.
Townsend came back from a fractured foot to win the game. Benitez complimented Gray for playing through the agony. Despite not risking Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his recent comeback from injury.
Hull came close to forcing penalties in normal time after hitting the woodwork through Keane Lewis-Potter. But Toffees goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made a brilliant save to deny Tom Eaves.
Things looked gloomy for Benitez when Everton fell behind after a minute. Some travelling Toffees fans joined in with the underdogs’ time-honoured “you’re getting sacked in the morning” song.
How did Everton complete the comeback?
The former Liverpool manager comes into the game with just one win in his last 12 Premier League games. Which has seen the Toffees drop to 15th following a promising start to his tenure.
Smith’s first goal for Hull since joining Sheffield United in the summer did not help his cause. Everton started poorly and was fortunate not to fall further behind.
Begovic was forced into action twice to deny tall striker Eaves. The first with a powerful header and the next from a tight angle. The visitors appeared to be at a loss at set-pieces.
But then Anthony Gordon and Gray worked their magic in the Hull area. With Gray calmly tucking beneath Hull keeper Nathan Baxter after a beautiful exchange of passes.
Gordon has been a bright spot for Benitez recently. And he was at the heart of everything good Everton created in the first half. Dlipping outside of the post after a mazy move and setting Michael Keane clean for a shot magnificently turned away by Baxter.
The 20-year-old was also involved in Everton’s second goal, teeing up Jonjoe Kenny for a cross that Gomes dove in to head home after precisely timed his run into the six-yard area.
When Longman struck Begovic’s top corner from 20 yards just seven minutes after coming in, it appeared to shock Hull and the game was heading towards a simple Everton win.
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