Charlie Austin has revealed how Lucas Digne tried to get into his head during Everton’s Carabao Cup clash against Queens Park Rangers at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The pair appeared to be needling each other throughout the game as the teams battled for a place in the fourth round.
However, it was the striker who won the day, scoring twice for the hosts in a 2-2 draw before the Toffees were dumped out on penalties after Tom Davies’ spot-kick was saved.
Digne, meanwhile, also got on the scoresheet, levelling for the Toffees in the first half but was forced off on 80 minutes of the encounter after hurting his ankle.
LIVE: Everton news and transfer updates including fresh Isco link
ANALYSIS: Echo Falls wine and a delicious left foot. How will James Rodriguez be remembered at Everton?
Austin has opened up on the exchange and given a glimpse into how players use mind games to gain an advantage.
Asked about the run-in he had with the Everton left-back, Austin told talkSPORT Digne asked him how many times he had played for his country.
Though Austin was called up to the England squad in May 2015, he did not get onto the pitch for the Three Lions.
Digne, meanwhile, has 42 caps for the France national team and featured at Euro 2020.
"It was just a bit of fun. He gave me a little bit," the QPR man said.
“In the first half he was on about me fouling him and he just turned around and said ‘how many caps you got?’
"I had a little giggle to myself and I didn’t mind it.”
Sadly for Everton and the full-back, Austin had the last laugh and revealed: “Then in the second half the ball came over the top and took about six or seven seconds to come down, he went to control it and shinned it out of play.
“I just laughed in his face.”
Digne isn’t the only Blues defender who attempts to wind up the opposition in a bid to gain the upper hand.
Earlier this month, Yerry Mina was labelled the most annoying player in the Premier League by Fabio Silva.
“Mina from Everton – he was the most annoying one I came up against,” the Wolves striker revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo .
“He’s Colombian, so I think it’s part of his culture to try to get into your head; play mind games; say things to provoke you.”
Tuesday’s League Cup heartbreak followed a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa and Everton will be eager to return to winning ways when they face Norwich at Goodison Park on Saturday.
