Abdoulaye Doucoure let out his inner-Martin Keown after Anthony Gordon’s dramatic penalty miss in a 0-0 draw.
The Newcastle star returned to Goodison Park and was given an unsavoury reception from the home fans following his controversial move from Merseyside in January 2023.
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Gordon had the opportunity to really rile up the Everton fans from 12 yards out at the Gladys Street End with the chance to put his new side 1-0 up.
Thankfully for supporters, it was Jordan Pickford – a die-hard Sunderland fan – who saved Gordon’s penalty and ensured that Newcastle missed the chance to go ahead.
While Pickford remained focused after his heroic penalty kick, Everton’s supporters celebrated like they had won a trophy as they taunted a distraught Gordon.
But it wasn’t just the Toffees fans who were loving it, with Doucoure unable to resist the temptation to confront the winger by shouting and jumping next to him before celebrating with Pickford.
It came after Doucoure had a first-half goal ruled out.
Reacting to his response, fans were quick to notice the similarities between the Frenchman and Arsenal Invincible and talkSPORT pundit Keown.
One supporter wrote: “Lovely nod to Martin Keown from Doucoure.”
A second fan said: “Doucoure doing a Martin Keown v Ruud Van Nistelrooy.”
A third said: “Doucoure went full Martin Keown on Gordon,
Meanwhile a fourth added: “Doucoure player of the half for me, solely for going full Martin Keown when Gordon missed his pen.”
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Of course supporters are referencing Keown’s antics in the aftermath of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s famous penalty miss in 2003.
The Manchester United striker struck the crossbar from a late penalty in a crunch clash with the Gunners at Old Trafford, leading the former defender to shout and holler at the Dutch forward.
In a match that ended 0-0, it was arguably the closest that Arsenal’s Invincibles came to defeat, with Keown’s outburst now an iconic image in Premier League history.
Arsenal were charged with ‘failing to ensure the proper behaviour of their players’ after the scenes in Manchester back in 2003 and were fined £175,000.
Keown himself was also fined and banned for three games.
Though there will surely be no danger that Doucoure will be punished for his theatrical celebration.
