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Post by Avinalaff on Jan 10, 2020 15:27:09 GMT
So fans 'did' visit Finch Farm then.
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 11, 2020 10:11:57 GMT
Good afternoon.
Welcome to Goodison for our game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
I want to start by thanking you for the way you welcomed me to Everton before our game against Burnley on Boxing Day.
It was a special moment for me, like no other reception I’ve had, and reinforced everything I believed and understood about the fantastic club I am proud to manage.
Today’s game marks the start of a fresh period for Everton. The immediate priority this season is to play intelligent, attacking and entertaining football which wins matches and improves our position in the Premier League table.
The team played four matches in two weeks under Duncan and after I arrived we had another four games in days.
This week has allowed us to draw breath and begin working on the training ground to implement our ideas.
Your ability to physically work with the players is compromised when there are only two or three days between fixtures. The effects of our congested schedule were visible in our past two matches but I say that as an observation, not an excuse.
I was pleased with the players’ application and professionalism in our final game of 2018 when we won at Newcastle United.
Our football for the opening 30 minutes was of a high quality, the passing was crisp and positive and produced a number of chances.
I liked the spirit and character of the team after Newcastle equalised. We stayed patient and focussed and resisted the temptation to chase a winning goal.
When the chance arrived to punish Newcastle, we were fast and clinical, qualities you need to be a top team.
We want Dominic Calvert-Lewin thinking like a striker. He has attributes which unsettle defenders, his speed and power but also his quick brain. It is vital for him use those skills in positions which hurt teams and his two goals at Newcastle were evidence of his scorer’s instinct.
We started too slowly at Manchester City. You cannot be passive against any opponent in the Premier League. Every team has players capable of exploiting the smallest holes in your performance and City more than most.
Again, our players deserved credit for refusing to give up on the match and continuing to fight to the last kick to try to continue our unbeaten Premier League run.
In six League matches with Duncan and I we took 11 points. That is a good return and a platform for the rest of this season but will only count for anything meaningful if we progress and win many more games between now and May.
I completely understand the depth of your disappointment and anger after we went out of the FA Cup last week.
Our second-half performance was a long way short of what we delivered over the previous month and further away still from the standard we expect in future.
Elements of the first half were good. We were purposeful and had three clear opportunities to score.
Going into half-time at 0-0 was frustrating but this is football, it happens, you cannot invite negative feelings which inhibit your work.
The energy and intensity disappeared from our game after half-time and that enabled Liverpool, with their fresh legs, to take advantage.
I have spoken to the players individually and collectively this week about what happened.
It will take time to wash away the disappointment and that should be the case after a defeat of that nature.
Once it has happened, though, you work so hard to make sure it is not repeated.
We welcome Graham Potter, the staff, players and fans of Brighton.
Graham is new to the Premier League but doing fabulous work. He took a brave decision to begin his coaching career in Sweden and did a magnificent job for Ostersunds.
I know he had Swansea City playing very good football last season and from studying Brighton it is clear he is staying faithful to his footballing principles at the top level.
They will come with no fear and our challenge is to better their quality and desire.
I cannot wait to be back on the touchline at Goodison after three away games and to again hear the incredible noise you create supporting Everton.
Enjoy the game. Carlo
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 11, 2020 10:21:41 GMT
TEAM NEWS
Everton have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park (3pm).
Jean-Philippe Gbamin remains sidelined with a quadriceps injury, while Alex Iwobi misses out with a hamstring problem.
Everton's only other absentee is Andre Gomes, and Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the midfielder will start individual training at USM Finch Farm next week as he steps up his rehabilitation from ankle surgery.
Striker Glenn Murray is available for Brighton after recovering from a knock.
Solly March has also returned to full training having undergone groin surgery.
The Seagulls are without Dan Burn, however, after the defender sustained a broken collarbone.
On-loan midfielder Aaron Mooy is a doubt after sustaining a knee injury in training.
PLAYER STATISTICS (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Everton
Top goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 8
Most assists Djibril Sidibe: 4
Most touches Lucas Digne: 1,417
Most tackles Djibril Sidibe: 50
Brighton & Hove Albion
Top goalscorer Neal Maupay: 7
Most assists Pascal Gross: 4
Most touches Dan Burn: 1,573
Most tackles Dale Stephens: 50
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 11, 2020 10:22:17 GMT
KEY STATS AND MILESTONES
Jordan Pickford is in line to make his 98th successive Premier League appearance for Everton. Only nine players have played more consecutive league games for the Club, with Neville Southall topping the chart having played 212 straight matches between October 1987 and February 1993.
Everton have never lost a home match against Brighton, with the Blues winning five and drawing two of the clashes between the clubs at Goodison.
A win against Brighton would be Everton’s 250th victory at Goodison Park in the Premier League.
ONE TO WATCH: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Iranian winger Jahanbakhsh heads into Saturday’s contest having scored in his previous two Premier League matches.
Those goals included a spectacular overhead kick in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, with the 26-year-old showcasing the quality that led to Brighton paying a club record £17million to prise him from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in summer 2018.
Jahanbakhsh’s final season in the Netherlands saw him win the Eredivisie’s Golden Boot award after hitting 21 goals for 33 league matches.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE: David Coote
Premier League games refereed this season: 8 Yellow cards issued: 30 Red cards issued: 1
VAR: Stuart Attwell
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Post by Everton News. on Jan 11, 2020 10:22:58 GMT
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