‘Unbelievable goal’: Jamie Carragher lavishes praise on Abdoulaye Doucoure stunner that secured Everton’s Premier League survival, as midfielder says the strike was the ‘most important of his career
Everton beat Bournemouth to ensure they avoided Premier League relegation
Abdoulaye Doucoure shattered the visitors’ resistance with a sumptuous strike
Post-match, both Jamie Carragher and the midfielder praised the crucial goal
Jamie Carragher spoke glowingly on the moment of magic from Abdoulaye Doucoure that secured Everton’s Premier League survival, hailing his winning strike against Bournemouth as an ‘unbelievable goal’.
Midfielder Doucoure smashed home from the edge of the penalty area in his side’s do-or-die showdown at Goodison Park yesterday, with his effort sparking pandemonium before Leicester and Leeds were consigned to the drop.
For much of the clash on Merseyside, the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances and were almost punished for their blunt display, with Cherries striker Dominic Solanke coming the closest to silencing the raucous atmosphere.
However, Doucoure provided the dagger that sealed a 17th-placed finish for the Toffees, leaving goalkeeper Mark Travers helpless despite his previous heroics.
Speaking post-match, Sky Sports pundit Carragher singled out the sumptuous effort and praised the 30-year-old’s impact since being brought back in from the cold.
‘Unbelievable goal,’ Carragher said. ‘He’s had a huge influence on the team since he’s come back into the team under Sean Dyche.
‘You think of how many special goals Everton have scored to get them big points, we’ve seen another one today that’s got Everton three points.
‘There is a real lack of quality in this team. They never look like scoring a goal in general play. It feels like something really special or a set piece.
‘That was exactly the same today.’
After the post-match chaos quietened, Doucoure was equally keen to revel in his crucial intervention and admitted the goal was the ‘most important’ of his career.
‘This one was the most important goal in my career,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘We know how important Everton is. It is important for everyone, important for me, for my teammates, and for all the club. Today we knew if we scored a goal, we were going to win the game. It was a good feeling at the end to win the game.’
Asked if he could have struck the ball any sweeter, he said: ‘I don’t think so! It was a great goal. I’m so happy it went in and gave us the three points we needed.’
Sean Dyche struck a somber tone despite Everton’s victory, insisting that his side had little to celebrate and laying bare the extent of the rebuild required.
Doucoure shared a similar sentiment, urging his teammates to lift their levels.
‘Don’t get carried away. I’m not a hero. Nobody is here,’ he told BBC Sport. ‘We work and play for Everton Football Club. We have to be much better than that.
‘We need to realize the mistakes we made this season. Everyone showed passion at the end but next season we need to come back stronger and put Everton high up.’
He then added: ‘It was a huge game for us. We are so happy. It’s hard to describe our feeling. We fought all season to compete and save the club. This afternoon we gave everything. It was not our best game but we gave everything and got the result.’
