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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Rimmer & Timothy Abraham

Who was right about Harry Kane, Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher?

Harry Kane caused plenty of controversy at Goodison Park last night for his part in the sending off of Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure.

The England striker hit the turf in dramatic fashion after Doucoure raised his hands to him following a tussle between the pair.

He'd later score a penalty before Michael Keane's late equaliser rescued a point for the Toffees.

Everton fans were raging with Kane and the debate continued into the Sky Studio post-match as Jamie Carragher didn't hold back in his views on the Spurs striker.

READ MORE: 'You were horrible' - Carragher and Neville's in heated encounter on Kane 'dive'

READ MORE: National media react to 'theatrical' Harry Kane after Everton fight to earn draw

However, Carragher's co-host and Monday Night Football sparring partner Gary Neville disagreed with the former Liverpool defender, arguing that Kane's actions were no different from plenty of other players.

So who was right and who was wrong? Two of our reporters gave their views on that matter. Tim Abraham taking the side of Jamie Carragher and Joe Rimmer backing Gary Neville.

YOUR VIEW: What are your thoughts on Kane's reaction? Let us know in the comments section below

'Harry Kane should be setting an example'

Tim Abraham: If there were any movers and shakers from LIPA at Goodison Park last night they may well consider bestowing an honorary doctorate on Harry Kane.

The Tottenham striker’s theatrical collapse to the ground really was BAFTA-award winning in its execution.

Abdoulaye Doucoure raised his hands and deserved to be sent off for striking Kane, of that there can be no doubt. But a stellar figure in the Premier League, the England captain no less, should show a little bit more dignity and class in his handling of a hostile situation and maintain his composure.

Jamie Carragher nailed it with his assessment that “there’s nowhere near enough to make you go down” and he would be “embarrassed” if his own son, a professional, reacted in the same way.

Football on these shores has long prided itself on a sense of fair play- yes, it’s slowly been gnawed away by those on the pitch in recent years, largely due to a win-at-all-costs mentality, but that does not mean those on the terraces have to like it.

You can bet the Everton fans won’t forget it. Call it old fashioned, but Kane should be setting the example. He’ll certainly feel sheepish watching the incident being replayed on TV today.

GET INVOLVED: Do you agree with Neville or Carragher? Cast your vote in our poll below

'Everyone does it'

Joe Rimmer: Football makes hypocrites of us all.

And Harry Kane makes more hypocrites than most.

Tottenham fans love him. And so they should. He's given his people plenty to celebrate.

And as England captain, Kane has plenty of friends in the media and many have worked directly with him. That's why, despite the debate that rages around his diving and general behaviour, he'll often find the backing that others others - Luis Suarez, Richarlison, Bruno Fernandes come to mind - would not.

Gary Neville said as much last night, admitting that he was "giving Kane the benefit of the doubt" while he debated Jamie Carragher about the England striker's reaction to Abdoulaye Doucoure's brush of his face.

But Neville was right about one thing, that both Kane's team-mates and the majority of his fans will back him for what he did.

That's because the will to win in football overrides pretty much anything else. Almost every single team has a player who is disliked by the opposition for similar reasons and very few would criticise them - including their own managers. And all the best teams in football had those who are willing to bend the rules in order to push their sides to the greatest heights, whether that was a dive, roughing up opponents or putting pressure on referees.

Let's just stop pretending otherwise and accept it as part of the game. Everyone does it.

Because the alternative is fans calling out their own heroes and that will simply never happen.

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