Everton's Andros Townsend explained his Cristiano Ronaldo-esque celebration against Manchester United, after he scored the equaliser at Old Trafford.
United drew 1-1 with Everton in the early match in Saturday, after a 65th minute goal from Townsend put the Blues back level with the Red Devils.
Everton were in a position to win the tie, after a near-goal was disallowed after Tom Davis' pass to Yerry Mina was pinged for offside, leaving the score 1-1 at full time.
"He's my idol. I grew up watching Ronaldo, I spent hours on the training pitch trying to execute his techniques.
"Maybe should have spent longer on the celebration because it wasn't great!" 😂
Andros Townsend says it was a honour to share the field with CR7.
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/MBxBeOcg9f— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 2, 2021
After scoring his goal against United, Townsend ran to the corner and jumped, posing in a manner that has become synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking on BT Sport after the match, Townsend suggested that the gesture was performed out of respect for one of his idols.
"This guy is my idol," Townsend said. "I grew up watching Cristiano Ronaldo, I spent hours on the training pitch trying to execute his techniques.
"I maybe should have spent a bit longer on the celebration, it wasn't great execution, but it was a bit of respect to Cristiano, and it was an honour to be on the field with him."
On the goal, Townsend discussed what went through his mind in the build up, after leaving Raphael Varane in his wake to score.
"It was amazing," Townsend said. "[Demarai Gray] doing what he does best on the counter-attack, using his pace and power.
"As soon as [Abdoulaye Doucouré] got it, I knew with the quality he has and the vision he has had all season, I knew if I kept up with him he'd put it in my path, and thankfully I managed to keep my composure and put it in the bottom corner.
"It has been tough for me trying to analyse why I haven't been scoring on a consistent basis, with the quality that I have with both feet.
"I am working on the training field, and the manager demands the very best, he got the best out of me at Newcastle and he seems to be getting the best out of me at the minute.
"If I keep working hard, and listening to the manager, hopefully I keep getting on the scoresheet."
'It could have been three points'
While leaving with one point from Old Trafford is usually a win for a side like Everton, Townsend believes that they could have taken more away from the match.
"Going into the game with the injuries that we had, we probably would have accepted the point," Townsend said. "But, when you go to Old Trafford with the chances we had, yes we are delighted, but on another day it could have been three points.
"People on the outside probably didn't give us a chance looking at the lineup. We knew we could get a point or three points.
"We are probably happy with the point, but a little bit of us in the dressing room, we have been watching the replay of the disallowed goal, we will be a little bit disappointed.
"It was close, I think Tom [Davis] did the right thing to square it, but unfortunately it didn't go our way."
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