Everton's Andre Gomes
Everton's Andre Gomes

Andre Gomes injury: Everton midfielder's surgery on his right ankle goes 'extremely well'


Everton midfielder Andre Gomes has undergone surgery on a fracture dislocation to his right ankle, with the club saying the procedure went "extremely well".

Gomes, 26, suffered the shocking injury when he fell awkwardly following a challenge from Tottenham's Son Heung-min in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

"Everton Football Club can confirm Andre Gomes underwent surgery to repair a fracture dislocation to his right ankle earlier today and the procedure went extremely well," a club statement said.

Gomes is expected to be sidelined for anywhere between six months and a year given the seriousness of the injury, which left players from both sides visibly upset on the pitch at Goodison Park.

"Andre will now spend some time recovering in hospital, before returning to USM Finch Farm to start his rehabilitation under the guidance of the club's medical staff. He is expected to make a full recovery," the statement added.

"On behalf of Andre, the club would like to thank all Everton supporters and members of the wider football family for the overwhelming messages of support we have received since yesterday's match."

Son Heung-min is sent off for Tottenham at Everton
Son Heung-min is sent off for Tottenham at Everton

Gomes' injury overshadowed what had been a poor match between two under-performing sides, in which VAR had been the major talking point prior to the incident.

Though Everton cancelled out Dele Alli's opening goal with a Cenk Tosun header deep into the 12 minutes of time added on following Gomes' injury, there was little sense of celebration at full-time.

Everton defender Mason Holgate said he and his team-mates felt like they owed it to Gomes to get a result, but the draw still felt like a defeat.

"It is hard when something like that happens to get going again but we showed fight and went again," Holgate said.

"But it shows what we are about as a team. We got together and I think it drove us on a bit more once we got going, trying to do it for him.

"It was really flat (in the dressing room). It was like we had been beaten.

"He is all our friend and our team-mate so we are all gutted and wishing him the best."

That Everton were able to force an equaliser was a credit to the players in the circumstances, although Tottenham's players were also affected with Son - who was sent off for the tackle after initially being shown a yellow card - in tears and Serge Aurier, who collided with Gomes, substituted.

Unfortunately it did not alter the club's overall circumstances with just one win in seven league matches leaving them 17th, just three points above the bottom three.

In 25 league matches under Marco Silva Everton have yet to win a game when they have gone behind.

Tottenham are considering an appeal against the red card shown to Son, who slid in and clipped his opponent but not recklessly so.

A Premier League statement said the card was shown for "endangering the safety of a player" but Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino felt the injury led to an over-reaction.

"It was clear it was never the intention of Son to create the problem that happened afterwards. It is unbelievable to see a red card," said the Spurs boss.

"In that situation we need to help because the decision of the referee was a yellow card but the VAR changed the decision. It is the latest example of it being not clear.

"VAR needs to check if it was a bad tackle from Son and judge the action, not what happened after.

"We all feel sorry for Andre. I want to send my best wishes to him and to his family in this tough moment. We want to send, on behalf of the squad, our best wishes."

Tosun: I tried to comfort Gomes

Everton goalscorer Tosun has described how he comforted Andre Gomes as his team-mate screamed in pain.

Tosun, who had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes, stayed with the midfielder as many players around them were visibly shaken by the severity of the injury.

"Everybody is sad inside. Some players, they nearly cried," said the Turkey international.

"He was in shock, his eyes were open so big. He was like crying, shouting and screaming.

"I just tried to hold him and speak to him. I tried to tell him to stay calm. We couldn't understand him."

Tottenham are considering an appeal against the red card shown to Son, who slid in and clipped his opponent but not recklessly so.

The Premier League issued a statement after the game to clarify why the card had been upgraded, in which it said: "The red card for Son was for endangering the safety of a player which happened as a consequence of his initial challenge."

Pochettino defends Son and thanks captain Coleman

Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions
Mauricio Pochettino

However, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino felt the injury led to an over-reaction which resulted in a greater punishment for Son.

"It was clear it was never the intention of Son to create the problem that happened afterwards. It is unbelievable to see a red card," said the Spurs boss.

"In that situation we need to help because the decision of the referee was a yellow card but the VAR changed the decision. It is the latest example of it being not clear.

"VAR needs to check if it was a bad tackle from Son and judge the action, not what happened after.

"We all feel sorry for Andre. I want to send my best wishes to him and to his family in this tough moment. We want to send, on behalf of the squad, our best wishes.

"I don't know what will happen now (in terms of an appeal). The club will see if it is possible but what we cannot change is what happened after (the incident)."

Pochettino did, however, praise Everton's players for their reaction and their support for the distraught Son - particularly club captain Seamus Coleman, who was out for a year after suffering a similarly-horrific double-fracture of his lower leg in March 2017.

"The players from Everton were fantastic. The captain came to the dressing room to console Son," said the Argentinian.

"I want to say thank you to the players and Coleman, who came in on behalf of the squad of Everton."

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