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

Ivan Toney during an England match.

'This is why I hate London,' fumes Ivan Toney as England star's car broken into during summer break

Exclusive
Exclusive: Government gagged media over MoD leak that endangered 100,000 Afghan allies

Government used unprecedented superinjunction to cover up MoD data breach that put 100,000 Afghans at risk

Breaking
A drought has been declared in the West and East Midlands. Birmingham's inner-city Edgbaston  reservoir is very low

Drought declared in the West and East Midlands - as millions of households already under hosepipe bans

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, at the White House

Trump announces weapons for Ukraine after he allegedly asked Zelenskyy whether they can hit Moscow

A rest centre has been set up for residents forced to leave their homes due to the flooding.

Thousands of homes across south London left without water after burst pipe sparks 'signifiant flooding'

Oasis Live '25 Tour - Opening Night

The number one singles Oasis do not play

A British OAP has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis into Spain.

Brit, 69, arrested for 'smuggling 62kg of cannabis worth £350k' into Spain

John Iwuh

'Predator' jailed for raping woman he met on dating app had 11,000 phone contacts - as victims urged to come forward

On the left Constance has her hands in prayer with rainbow lights behind her. On the right is her police mugshot.

How killer aristocrat Constance Marten’s gilded life unravelled - and how she made friends behind bars

A 19-year-old worker sucked into an industrial meat grinder at Tina’s Burritos has died.

Teen sucked into meat grinder at California burrito factory dies as horrified colleagues watch on

Dr McCarthy stopped paying council tax in April 2022.

Woman who refused to pay council tax for three years in protest at fossil fuel investments fears losing her home

Disney Dream is a cruise ship operated by Disney Cruise Line, part of The Walt Disney Company. Aerial view

Police reveal how girl, aged 5, fell overboard from Disney cruise ship before father saved her

Rachel Reeves

Reeves hails ‘instant impact’ for aspiring homeowners as red tape is cut

Courtney, in her Union flag dress and hat, and her dad Stuart

Schoolgirl, 12, 'punished' for wearing Union flag dress to school culture day

British backpacker Alicia Kemp is accused of causing the death of a dad in a horror crash

British backpacker accused of killing Australian father in drunken e-scooter crash

Former health minister Lord Darzi was robbed of his £175,000 watch

Lord Darzi robbed of £175,000 Richard Mille watch on Capri holiday