Ukraine duo share emotional pre-match embrace ahead of Everton vs Man City

26 February 2022, 18:59 | Updated: 26 February 2022, 19:26

Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko, who are both from Ukraine, were seen embracing during the warm-up of the game at Goodison Park earlier today.
Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko, who are both from Ukraine, were seen embracing during the warm-up of the game at Goodison Park earlier today. Picture: Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko fought back tears after embracing fellow Ukrainian Vitalii Mykolenko ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Everton.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The two stars shared a moving embrace at Goodison Park on Saturday as both clubs showed their support for Ukraine, with the ground erupting into applause.

Zinchenko, 25, made his way to the halfway line to hug the Everton defender Mykolenko, 22 - his national teammate - following the devastating Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Zinchenko has posted messages of support for his homeland and attended a vigil in Manchester City centre on Thursday night.

Fans from both sides displayed Ukraine flags and banners, and voiced their support for the pair and the rest of Ukraine before kick-off.

People have been reacting to the emotional moment online, which was described by one fan as "amazing".

Another posted: "More than just a game."

Read more: Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich hands over stewardship of club

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Watford players also held up a banner saying 'Peace' ahead of their goalless draw at Old Trafford.

Aston Villa's Matty Cash paid tribute to Poland team-mate Tomasz Kedziora, who plays in Ukraine, after he scored against Brighton.

England and Wales' rugby union players stood in solidarity against the Russian invasion before they met at Twickenham in the Six Nations.

British intelligence earlier suggested Russian forces were facing "significant logistical difficulties" in the face of a strong resistance from Ukraine.

Ukrainians Vitalli Mykolenko of Everton and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City embrace before the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.
Ukrainians Vitalli Mykolenko of Everton and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City embrace before the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. Picture: Alamy

However, fighting continues in major cities around the country and troops are understood to be closing in on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital.

Nearly 200 people, including 3 children have been killed and it's estimated 120,000 people have fled the country.

Protests have been held across the UK today with thousands standing in solidarity against President Putin.

Ukrainians in Manchester speak out over invasion

Demonstrations took place in Manchester, Edinburgh and London - with people shouting 'Stop the War, Stop Putin' outside Downing Street.

Meanwhile performances by the Russian state ballet have been cancelled in Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

Prince Harry's libel case over article about his security arrangements must go to trial, judge rules

Breaking
Tributes have been paid to Lianne after she was shot dead outside her home in east London

Boy, 16, arrested on suspicion of murder of mother-of-two shot dead in Hackney

Hunter Biden has been indicted on nine tax charges in California

Hunter Biden faces up to 17 years behind bars as he is charged over tax evasion

Seychelles Blast

Seychelles declares emergency after deadly flooding and explosives depot blast

Jon Rahm becomes world's highest paid sportsman after joining Saudi-backed LIV golf

Jon Rahm becomes world's highest paid sportsman after joining Saudi-backed LIV golf league in £450m deal

James said Hugh and Anna gave his charity a £20,000 gift

Hugh Grant and his wife Anna donate £20,000 to 'Britain's kindest plumber'

Israel Palestinians Southern Gaza Human Toll

Desperation grows among Palestinians as Israel’s war in Gaza continues

Commuters were stranded for hours

'Who was in charge?' Fury at Elizabeth Line chaos that saw thousands stranded for hours before 'smashing out of carriages'

Palestinians 'are captured by IDF, stripped and paraded around Gaza'

Dozens of Palestinian men captured by the IDF, stripped and paraded around Gaza

Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright (l) and Victoria Hall (r)

Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright re-arrested over unsolved murder of teenager Victoria Hall 24 years ago

The Government spent a further £100 million in the 2023-24 financial year

PM faces new pressure over Rwanda scheme as costs spiral by another £100m - before a single asylum seeker sent there

Two men have been arrested over an alleged bed bug treatment fraud

Two men arrested after dozens of people scammed out of cash for fake bedbug treatments they did not need

Rachel Riley was caught up in the Elizabeth Line disruption

Rachel Riley and James Blunt among Elizabeth Line passengers stuck for hours after electrical cables damaged

Queen Camilla is said to back her ex husband's new relationship with Anne Robinson

Camilla 'backs ex Andrew Parker Bowles' new relationship with Anne Robinson and even jokes about double dates'

Hunter Biden

Hunter Biden has nine tax charges added to gun indictments in latest legal probe

Boris Johnson gives evidence to the Covid Inquiry

Boris Johnson slammed by victims' families after telling Covid inquiry Partygate coverage is a 'travesty of the truth'