Everton defender Michael Keane [Credit: Imago]

Sun 20 October 2024 13:40, UK

Michael Keane's name was chanted by Everton fans after his performance against Ipswich Town on Saturday (19 October), Joe Thomas has shared.

The Liverpool Echo journalist reported that the defender walked off the Portman Road pitch with chants of "Keane" from the away end, following the 2-0 win in East Anglia.

Keane had doubled the Blues' lead before half-time with an extremely well-taken strike into the roof of the net and was a standout for Sean Dyche's side to collect the three points.

Michael Keane redemption arc close at Everton Had Dyche been able to pick from a fully fit squad in the first eight league games of the season, it's unlikely Keane would have played many minutes ahead of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, the latter's continued injury troubles have opened the door for the centre-back to make six Premier League starts, which at first saw Keane ridiculed as the Blues lost four games on the bounce.

Jarrad Branthwaite has a task getting back into the Everton XI after Michael Keane's form [Credit: Imago] Since then though, Keane and his team-mates have undergone a huge upturn in form, and are now unbeaten in four with two wins, draws and clean sheets apiece.

As he did in their first victory of the season against Crystal Palace, Branthwaite will be expected to displace Keane in the starting side once he returns to full fitness - but that's not going to come easily.

Keane's turnaround with the Goodison faithful in such a short period is a testament to Dyche's faith in the 31-year-old, and at long last, the Toffees finally have strength in depth in central defence.

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In other Everton news, concerns have been raised at Goodison Park over the full extent of one player's latest injury setback.