ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE was sent off for hitting Harry Kane in the FACE during Everton’s clash with Tottenham.
The England captain fouled Demarai Gray shortly before the hour mark, before Doucoure launched into a challenge with the Lilywhites man after play had been stopped.
AFPAbdolulaye Doucoure challenged Harry Kane after the Spurs man had already fouled Demarai Gray[/caption]
It was clear Doucoure had caught Kane in the face as he lashed outReuters
Doucoure was sent off for hitting Kane in the faceReuters
Kane hit the deck after being struck by DoucoureReuters
Kane then tussled with the Toffees midfielder, before Doucoure hit the Tottenham man in the face.
The Spurs striker went down and Doucoure was promptly shown a red card.
Both sets of players then attempted to diffuse the situation on the touchline, with Everton boss Sean Dyche urging his players to keep their heads.
But less than 10 minutes later things went from bad to worse for the hosts at Goodison Park.
Ivan Perisic knocked the ball back for Cristian Romero who was upended by Michael Keane inside the area and referee David Coote pointed to the spot.
Kane stepped up to send his England team-mate Jordan Pickford the wrong way to give the visitors the lead.
It takes his tally for the season to 23 goals in all competitions for Spurs.
He has 21 in the Premier League, but is still seven adrift of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
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Meanwhile, Doucoure let his side down after a superb run of form.
The Everton midfielder had scored or assisted each of Everton’s previous four Premier League goals heading into Monday night’s clash with Spurs.
But he saw red for the moment of madness with Kane in a desperately important game as the Merseyside club fight for survival.
Doucoure will now miss Everton’s next three games against Manchester United, Fulham and Crystal Palace.