Ashley Young issues one-word response after shock Everton twist
Everton star Ashley Young has admitted he’s “gutted” after his son didn’t feature in their FA Cup tie with Peterborough on Thursday (January 9).
The 39-year-old came on as a late substitute as Everton secured a 2-0 win over the League One side in the first game of the post-Sean Dyche era.
Leighton Baines and captain Seamus Coleman took charge after Dyche’s dismissal just hours before kick-off in the FA Cup third round.
Beto opened the scoring just before the break, beating the offside trap, rounding the goalkeeper, and slotting home from a tight angle.
Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton’s lead with a late penalty, securing progress for the Merseyside club, even if Young didn’t get his fairytale ending.
Ashley Young denied a dream as Everton secure FA Cup progression
Tyler Young, 18, stayed on the bench for Peterborough, with manager Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson, claiming an Everton player had a “pop at him” for the decision.
Speaking in his press conference after the game, Ferguson said: “The last substitution was a difficult one because I did want to get Tyler on. As much as I wanted to get him on with his dad, I had to do what’s right for my team.
“It was very difficult ,but I’ve got to do what’s best for the team. If the game had been 2-0 at that point, I would have put him on, but at 1-0 I couldn’t. If I sent a central midfielder on at 1-0, I’ve got three forwards sitting on the bench wondering what’s going on.
“One of their players had a bit of a pop at me, which is bang out of order, but I’ve got to do what’s best for out team and, at that point, it’s 1-0 and we’re trying to get a result.
“Quite honestly, I did put Tyler on the bench and I gave him every opportunity but I’ve got to do what’s best for the team. I am sure they will remember it.”
Young senior took to X, formally known as Twitter, to make his feelings known regarding the decision not to bring on his son.
The veteran defender has been rolling back the years this season, starting 16 of his 19 games across all competitions, scoring one goal, and providing three assists in his 1429 minutes of action.
Everton will host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday (January 15) in the first league game since Dyche’s dismissal.
In other news, Keith Wyness shares emphatic verdict on Everton’s Neal Maupay punishment.
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