ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE was sent off for hitting Harry Kane in the FACE during Everton’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
But pundits including Piers Morgan and Jamie Carragher were not impressed with the England captain’s theatrics.
Kane initially fouled Demarai Gray early on in the second half, before Doucoure launched into a challenge with the Spurs man after play had been stopped.
Kane immediately tussled with the Everton midfielder, grabbing his shirt.
But it was Doucoure who lost his cool, pushing his hand into the Tottenham man’s in the face.
Kane instantly put his hands to his head and dropped to the floor. And he stayed there as a melee erupted around him.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche was seething on the touchline, as he urged his players to keep their heads.
And referee David Coote showed Doucoure the inevitable red card.
But, while pundits accepted Doucoure was in the wrong for lashing out, many slammed Kane for his role in the incident.
Arsenal fan, and Sun columnist, Piers joked: “Thoughts and prayers for Harry Kane tonight – hope this savage blow isn’t career-ending.”
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While former Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy called the incident “embarrassing” for Kane.
Murphy said on talkSPORT: “Not enough to send him on the floor, he’s embarrassing himself.
“Why’s he gone over like that stitching someone up? Doucoure would’ve been sent off anyway.
“A little flick to the face does not send you the ground like you’ve just been punched.
“But Doucoure’s an idiot. He knows the rules, he’s let his team down.”
Speaking after the game on Sky Sports, Carragher echoed Murphy’s sentiments.
The Liverpool icon said: “Harry Kane shouldn’t be going down for that.
“It can still be a red card for putting your hand in someone’s face, Doucoure is wrong.
He stays down rolling around when there’s nothing wrong with him.
Carragher on Kane
“But I wouldn’t go down there as a player, there’s nowhere near enough to make you go down. If my son did that I’d be embarrassed.
“The thing I really don’t like is players trying to get fellow professionals booked or sent off.
“I’ve got no problem with someone going down, winning a free-kick and jumping back up on their feet.
“He stays down rolling around when there’s nothing wrong with him. Is that enough to make him go down?”
But Carra’s Sky colleague Gary Neville defended Kane’s actions.
He said: Neville: “If we’re in our dressing rooms, we’re going ‘well done Harry, you got him sent off’.
“I wouldn’t do it, but I wouldn’t mind my striker doing it.
“I’m giving Harry the benefit of the doubt. He does dive, he does go to ground, but when those fingernails go in your eye, that can shock you.”
The red card rules Doucoure out of Everton’s next three games against Manchester United, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
And less than 10 minutes later things went from bad to worse for the relegation-threatened Toffees.
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.
But Spurs failed to hold onto the three points despite their numerical advantage.
Substitute Lucas Moura came on and was shown a red card just five minutes later as he launched into Keane with a horrific challenge.
Keane then made Spurs pay in the 90th minute, firing a superb effort into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The result lifts Everton out of the relegation zone, while Spurs moved above Manchester United and into fourth place on goal difference – albeit having played two games more.
