An opponent imitated Cristiano Ronaldo by copying his trademark celebration after scoring against Manchester United
- Andros Townsend mocked Cristiano Ronaldo by copying his trademark celebration after scoring against Manchester United.
- The Everton winger's goal earned Everton a deserved 1-1 draw against the Red Devils.
- "It was a mark of respect to one of my idols," Townsend said after the match.
Andros Townsend imitated Cristiano Ronaldo by copying the Portuguese star's trademark celebration after scoring to earn Everton a deserved point against Manchester United.
Ronaldo, who had scored five goals in six matches since returning to Old Trafford in the summer, started on the bench as the two sides saw out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Everton fell behind just before the break as Anthony Martial scored for the first time since February.
But Townsend equalized in the second half just after Ronaldo had come on as a substitute, driving a low shot into the corner from Abdoulaye Doucoure's lay-off.
After netting the leveler, the English winger ran to the corner flag, jumped in the air, and screamed "SIUUU" as he landed - mimicking Ronaldo's famous celebration.
After the match, Townsend said the celebration was a "mark of respect" to a player who influenced his career.
"I spent many hours on the training pitch and in the video room trying to analyze his free-kicks and his stepovers and the way he dedicates himself to football," said the Everton star of Ronaldo.
"So it wasn't an imitation. It was a mark of respect to one of my idols. I probably didn't do the celebration justice and didn't execute it perfectly."
Townsend also appeared to swap shirts with Ronaldo at full-time. The 30-year-old posted a photo of the United forward's shirt saying: "Nothing but respect to the [GOAT]."
Ronaldo himself had little impact after his introduction from the bench against Rafael Benitez's side.
Asked why Ronaldo didn't start the match, United boss Solskjaer said: "Me and him, we understand more than the experts and journalists, for example.
"It's about picking the right moments to play him, to not play him. He's not a young puppy anymore, but he's as professional as ever and ready to come on, and he came on today with energy and good attitude."