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Post by Everton News. on Apr 26, 2022 7:28:03 GMT
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Post by Everton News. on Apr 26, 2022 7:29:14 GMT
Gordon - We're up for the fight
Anthony Gordon believes the character Everton showed in Sunday’s 240th Merseyside derby shows the Blues have the stomach for the fight ahead of their final six Premier League games of the season.
Everton performed with commitment, bravery and discipline throughout the Anfield contest – nullifying Liverpool’s attack for extended periods and consistently breaking forward with speed and purpose.
The Blues were ultimately left with no points to show for their efforts, however, with second-half goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi earning the home team victory.
Everton’s courageous display was epitomised by the electric Gordon, who blended skill and dynamism with a ferocious work-rate.
He caused Liverpool all manner of problems during the 90 minutes and came close to giving the Toffees the lead early in the second half when he shot just wide following a typically penetrative dart into the final third.
He also twice saw penalty appeals waved away after challenges by Naby Keita and Joel Matip in the box.
Gordon said: “We showed really good character and we stuck in there.
“We dug in and stuck to our game plan. I don’t think they had a shot on target in the first half.
“That shows how good we were defensively. We’ll be looking to do that for the rest of the season now.
“It was a tough game. There were a few instances where I could have had a penalty, in my opinion. Sometimes things go against you.
“The second one, for me, was the strongest claim because the defender [Matip] stood on my foot.
“I’ve got the better of him and he stood on my foot, which caused me severe pain and I’ve gone down.
“For the first one, I felt contact. I can see why he hasn’t given it after looking at a few angles, but it’s certainly not a yellow card because it’s not a dive. I felt contact.
“It’s really frustrating because, when you come here against a team fighting at the top of the league, you need stuff like that to go for you.”
Gordon says replicating the determination and spirit shown in the derby clash will be key to Everton earning the required points to preserve their Premier League status.
The Blues return to action next Sunday when Chelsea visit Goodison Park (2pm BST).
Successive away games follow at Leicester City and Watford before a home double-header against Brentford and Crystal Palace. Everton will conclude their season in the capital when they take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
“We can't fault our effort [against Liverpool],” Gordon added.
“It's a tough place to come. It was a good performance for a lot of the game.
“The plan was just to make it difficult for them – to take them out of their comfort zone and hopefully take our chances. I had a couple of chances where I feel could have done better. I'll work on that and definitely improve.
“We have to give our all and fight. We are very aware of where we are. There’s only one thing to do and that is keep going and stick together."
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Apr 26, 2022 7:31:13 GMT
Lampard's Spot On Everton Demand
Frank Lampard says Everton’s performances between now and the end of the season must be “spot on” for a successful conclusion to the Club’s relegation fight.
Manager Lampard’s side were left rueing two refuted penalty appeals and missed half-chances following Sunday’s Merseyside derby defeat.
The “discipline and attitude and togetherness and spirit” employed by Everton at Anfield nevertheless left Lampard “more positive” over Everton’s survival hopes.
Everton had opportunities for Anthony Gordon and Abdoulaye Doucoure prior to Liverpool’s opening goal, scored by Andrew Robertson after 62 minutes.
Gordon had penalty claims in either half, too, following challenges from Naby Keita and Joel Matip.
Everton, who have collected seven points from their past three home games, welcome Chelsea to Goodison Park next Sunday.
“We showed great organisation away from home, which is something we’ve been striving for,” said Lampard, whose side trail 17th-placed Burnley by two points, but have one more game remaining than the Turf Moor club.
“Every game [from now], we have to be spot on, we have to fight and believe.
“The whole club has to do that, there will be some negative chat [externally], but we’ve been in this fight since I’ve been here.
“If it goes to the end, let’s stand up and take it to the end.
“I was pleased with the way we competed in this game and in terms of performance, I am more positive [about chances of staying up].
“There are 18 points to fight for, that is a lot of points.
“It is important for the players and fans and Club not to get sucked into that in a negative way.
“Be realistic, yes – but there are a lot of games for us to try to win.
“With the attitude we showed today, the togetherness and spirit, and if a few things go our way, which didn’t today, we’ll get the results.”
Everton utilised Gordon’s pace and intelligence to cause issues for Liverpool on the counter-attack.
The forward twice believed he deserved penalty awards. Keita appeared to make contact with Gordon’s foot in the box, but referee Stuart Attwell rejected the shout and cautioned the Everton player. And, after half-time, 21-year-old Gordon fell on the left of the area after an arm in the back from centre-back Matip.
“I think they both could have been penalties but you often don't get them at Anfield,” said Lampard.
“The fact there's contact and he gets booked is crazy. The second one was a foul [anywhere else] on the pitch. Sometimes you don't get them here.”
Everton ceded the majority of possession to Liverpool. The hosts’, however, struggled to convert their share of the ball into clear opportunities.
It took a clever piece of play from Mohamed Salah to cross for Robertson to score, before Divock Origi exploited Everton’s urgent need for an equaliser with five minutes remaining.
“The gameplan was formed understanding they are one of the best teams in the world,” added Lampard.
“Could we be disciplined and work hard within that? Yes.
“Could we break and create chances? Yes.
“They didn’t threaten our goal at all in the first half and we had a couple of opportunities: Doucoure running through and moments in their box.
“If we’d scored the first goal, the game would have felt completely different.
"But you know with Liverpool, they can produce a moment of brilliance, like Salah for the first goal, or [hurt you with their] aggressive nature; an overhead kick bounced into the floor and landed on Origi’s head.
“I couldn’t have asked for much more from the players.
“We are not in a position to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool. We are in a position to be smart and we were smart for 60 minutes.
“The goal went in and it became very difficult.
“There is no doubting the attitude and the way the lads stuck to their task was really good.
“The thing we are missing is being clinical with those chances, both boxes affect the game.
"I'm proud and happy with the performance. We have to take that spirit forward to the final games.”
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Apr 27, 2022 8:02:24 GMT
DETERMINED IWOBI MAKES EVERTON VOW
Alex Iwobi insists Everton are “hungry and ready for the fight” as they prepare for a defining Premier League run-in – and believes the strong togetherness in the team and unstinting support of Evertonians can inspire the results required to retain the Club’s top-flight status.
Iwobi was a central part of a wholehearted and courageous Everton display in Sunday’s 240th Merseyside derby at Anfield.
And while Frank Lampard’s team did not have any points to show for their tireless efforts, Iwobi says the nature of the Blues’ performance means the squad will go into Sunday’s clash with Chelsea at Goodison Park with their “heads high” and intent on continuing their strong home form. Everton have taken seven points from their past three matches at Goodison.
Iwobi, who has completed 90 minutes in each of Everton’s past six Premier League matches, told evertontv: “We are ready for the fight.
“It’s not going to be easy but we’re ready for it.
“We are not going to dwell on this [derby defeat]. Especially with the captain, Seamus, he is always helping us to keep our heads up and go again.
“We need everyone. It’s a team thing and everyone is ready to fight.
“We know where we are. We are going to focus on ourselves, prepare for Chelsea and try to get a result.
“We have great chemistry and great spirit in the team. I’m sure we can get out of this situation.”
Iwobi delivered one of the most exhilarating moments of the season when he scored an incredible 99th-minute winner against Newcastle United at a rocking Goodison last month.
The forward explained how Evertonians’ sustained vocal backing provides the players with a bolt of extra energy and gives them confidence they can overcome any opposition.
“We have this belief at Goodison,” he said.
“To be fair, the fans were amazing at Anfield, too. They stuck behind us even when we were 2-0 down.
“When we have the full capacity at Goodison Park behind us, we know it feels like that extra man in our team. We feel that when we’re playing and we’re confident we can get a result.
“All the fans ask for is 100 per cent effort and to fight for the Club. I’m sure they can see we did that against Liverpool.”
On the specific elements of Everton’s Anfield performance they will take into Sunday’s match, Iwobi added: “The positive was the fight and determination we showed.
“We were able to make chances and we just needed to be more clinical.
“Even when we went a goal down, we still had the belief we could get one back and we had a few chances to equalise.
“Everyone put 100 per cent in and we just have to go again.
“You can see everyone is fighting for the manager and for ourselves. We have a lot to prove.”
Everton FC
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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 27, 2022 8:31:13 GMT
We will win
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