Silva Backs Stricken Gomes To Return Stronger
Everton manager Marco Silva has backed Andre Gomes to return stronger after the Portuguese midfielder suffered a horrific ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspurs at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Sunday’s game was overshadowed by Gomes’s injury, which occurred in the 79th minute after a tackle from Son Heung Min.
The South Korean looked visibly distraught and burst into tears after seeing the extent of the damage his opponent had suffered.
An inconsolable Son was given his marching off orders by referee Martin Atkinson for the challenge before Everton rallied back to claim a point after substitute Cenk Tosun’s late header cancelled out Dele Alli’s opener.
Everton confirmed in a statement that Gomes suffered a fracture dislocation to his right ankle and would undergo surgery today.
Speaking during his post-match news conference, Silva told reporters: "It was a really tough moment for us, forgetting the game and result.
"Andre will have all the support he needs from us.
"It is a serious injury and I am 100 per cent sure Andre will become stronger as a football player and stronger as a man, he is a fantastic lad and professional and all the support he needs, he will have from us.
"Our players are sad now, it is a tough moment in our dressing room, but the spirit we showed after that moment was good. It was the toughest moment for us this season."
Gomes joined Everton permanently for £22m in the summer after spending last season on loan at Goodison Park from Barcelona and has made eight appearances in the Premier League this season.
