‘Folks thought I bought dropped for lacking a penalty, however I used to be simply injured. Leighton Baines let me take it as a result of my confidence was sky-high’: Ex-Everton ahead clarifies what actually occurred after controversial second

January 25, 2025

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Former Everton ahead Kevin Mirallas sparked big controversy when seemingly taking a penalty off of first-choice taker Leighton Baines in 2015, earlier than continuing to overlook.

With a penalty awarded to Everton on the stroke of half-time throughout a goalless draw with West Brom at Goodison Park, Mirallas satisfied Baines to offer him the ball so he may check his luck towards Ben Foster. Mirallas missed, after which did not step again out for the second half amid a cloud of controversy.

However whereas Gary Neville known as it a “a despicable breach of staff spirit” on Monday Evening Soccer, Everton boss Roberto Martinez insisted it was “no huge situation”. That is regardless of substituting the Belgian at half-time, only a few minutes after the missed penalty.

Everton legend Leighton Baines was completely happy to offer Mirallas penalty

Kevin Mirallas of Everton takes a penalty kick but misses (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)

Mirallas steps as much as take the penalty (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

“It was simply a part of soccer, however individuals didn’t perceive what occurred,” Mirallas explains to FourFourTwo. “I had scored towards West Ham a number of days earlier than, and my confidence was excessive.

“Earlier than the sport, I requested Leighton if I may take a penalty if we bought one, and he agreed. If I’d scored, no one would have talked about it. However for those who miss, it turns into an enormous situation, particularly when the staff is struggling. I bought injured quickly afterwards and a few individuals thought I used to be dropped due to the penalty. However that’s soccer.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Ben Foster of West Brom dives as Kevin Mirallas of Everton fails to score from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park on January 19, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Mirallas misses the penalty (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)

Mirallas saved his place within the beginning XI for Everton’s subsequent sport, away at Crystal Palace. He performed 68 minutes in a 1-0 away win, placing to mattress any recommendations of disharmony throughout the squad.

Disharmony did start to unfold at Goodison Park a yr after Ronald Koeman arrived as supervisor in 2016, nonetheless – no less than for Mirallas.

Regardless of taking part in 37 occasions in all competitions for the Dutchman in 2016/17, and signing a deal in Could 2017 that will have saved him at Everton till he was 32, Koeman froze Mirallas out of the squad. By January 2018, he was heading out on mortgage to Olympiakos, his former facet.

“I signed a brand new three-year contract in 2017, considering I’d end my profession at Everton,” Mirallas highlights. “However, early within the season, I requested Koeman why I wasn’t taking part in within the Europa League and he gave no clarification. We began to argue.

“I used to be shocked. The chairman informed me that the membership wished to maintain me, however it was laborious to remain. I ultimately left on mortgage as a result of I wished to play within the World Cup.”

‘Folks thought I bought dropped for lacking a penalty, however I used to be simply injured. Leighton Baines let me take it as a result of my confidence was sky-high’: Ex-Everton ahead clarifies what actually occurred after controversial second

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