Alex Iwobi ends game in tears as Everton loses FA Cup tie to Manchester United

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By Martin Graham | 8th Jan 2023

Alex Iwobi did not finish the 3-1 loss to Manchester United on Friday following an ankle injury. The Nigerian midfielder was stretchered off the pitch following a tackle that ended his game.

When it rains, it pours. Frank Lampard must be cursing his luck at Everton with things going from bad to worse. The Merseyside club have dropped into the relegation zone as Lampard continues in his struggles to marshal a formula for securing points that could leave them to safety.

It has been a torrid season for Everton, with the side managing just three league wins. Except they do something drastic, Everton may be heading to the Championship. Nine losses from 18 games is not a record to be proud of, and Frank knows it is a performance that could earn him a sack.

On Friday, Everton got served another hot plate. The loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup was worse after they lost one of their vital players. Alex Iwobi could not finish the game as he succumbed to a United tackle that may leave him on the sidelines for a lengthy period.

Injury sidelines Alex Iwobi

Everton have struggled for results this season. The Merseyside club may go down to the Championship if their fortunes do not improve. The latest implosion came in the FA Cup when they lost 3-1 to Manchester United. In the match that looked even for portions of the game, Everton lost more than just the tie. They also lost a vital player.

Shortly after the break, with the game tie at 1-1, Alex Iwobi picked up a bad injury. Following a tackle by Tyrell Malacia, Iwobi went down with what looked like an ankle injury. The Nigerian midfielder was stretchered off the pitch in tears. The injury hands Frank Lampard a massive worry as Iwobi is one of his most vital players.

The two sides returned to the pitch in the second half tied at 1-1, but the Toffees took the game to the Red Devils as they pressurised the hosts in the FA Cup third-round tie. Iwobi pursued a long ball on the right-hand side of the pitch as Everton counterattacked, but what appeared like a poorly timed tackle ended the game for Iwobi.

Managing a crisis

Frank Lampard needs to call on his best tactical nous to pull Everton out of the relegation zone. The former Chelsea midfielder who got the sack by the Blues is looking to change his managerial fortunes with Everton, but it looks like another sack is in the offing.

The loss of Iwobi is a hefty blow for Lampard. The 26-year-old has been one of his top performers this season with six assists.

When asked about the extent of the injury to Iwobi, Lampard said it was an ankle ligament injury. The England legend hopes it is not as bad as presumed. Iwobi left on crutches leaving Everton with the task of ascertaining its extent.

The tackle did not result in a free kick for Everton, as the referee adjudged it was a clean tackle. There are speculations that the injury is not as bad as presumed, and Iwobi might recover in time to face Southampton. Everton lock horns with the Saints on January 14 in a league tie.

The former Arsenal star has a contract with Everton that runs till 2024. He joined from the Gunners in 2019 for a fee of £26.7 million.