Coronation Street fans are convinced the wrong person will be held responsible for the attack on Eva Price. The Rovers Return landlady was left fighting for her life during Thursday's (September 24) episode of the soap after suffering a horrific fall involving an unexpected Weatherfield resident.
A poorly Eva had been left alone at work after choosing to close up early. She had been struggling with a cold and had little support to turn to, as her partner Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) had taken her daughter Susie Price (Aurora Bradshaw) to London for an audition. Finding it increasingly difficult to manage behind the bar, Eva decided it was better to get some rest rather than pushing through the evening shift by herself.
Sam's accidental shove
Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) offered to assist Eva with clearing away the empties, while Eva headed down to the cellar to fetch some boxes of crisps, reports the Daily Star. As she wrapped up her final duties for the day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the pub when Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) slipped inside to search for his missing mobile phone.
Sam has been struggling with his mental health and had become fixated on retrieving the device as soon as possible, much to the exasperation of his father Nick Tilsley (Ben Price). Eva gently questioned what Sam was doing in the pub, and the youngster panicked and shoved past her, accidentally sending her tumbling down the cellar stairs.
Fans predict the blame game
Taking to Reddit, one sceptical fan speculated: "I'm disappointed that the finger is gonna be pointed at him for what happened to Eva." A second user added: "Eva could forget Sam pushed her (or be comatose I guess) and they'll all think Carl did it." Another fan posted on X: "I hope Carl doesn't get blamed for this #Corrie."
Corrie viewers will recall that Carl isn't particularly popular on the Street following an affair with his brother Kevin Webster's (Michael Le Vell) wife Abi Webster (Sally Carman). Spoilers for Friday's (25 September) episode have disclosed that Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) is first to discover Eva following the incident, though she becomes disoriented and postpones securing the necessary assistance. Subsequently, barmaid Shuttleworth (Jodie Pregner) steps in and summons an ambulance, with reverberations felt throughout the Street as residents wonder whether Eva tumbled or was shoved.
Carl questioned by police
Ben maintains a bedside vigil at the hospital after Eva was assaulted and left battling for survival, while PC Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) attempts to reconstruct precisely what occurred. He interrogates Debbie and Carl regarding Eva's injuries, with Carl insisting that he assisted Eva with tidying because she felt unwell before departing for home.
Nevertheless, when Debbie reveals her intention to purchase flowers for the patient, Carl pulls out a wallet crammed with cash. Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) and Kevin grow instantly wary, questioning whether Carl might have burgled the pub before inadvertently causing Eva to fall down the stairs. Officers quickly bring Carl in for interrogation regarding the assault. He maintains his innocence in the incident involving Eva, though the scrutiny intensifies.
Coronation Street airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX.
