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Post by Everton News. on Nov 20, 2022 9:36:36 GMT
Asmir Begovic says Everton's penalty shootout victory over Celtic will help rebuild the squad's confidence after a disappointing final week before the World Cup break.
More than 41,000 spectators packed into Accor Stadium in Australia to watch the Blues take on the reigning Scottish champions in the Sydney Super Cup.
After a goalless 90 minutes, Michael Keane, Tom Cannon, Nathan Patterson and Anthony Gordon all scored from 12 yards to seal a 4-2 spot-kick victory and send Everton's Australian fanbase home happy.
Both teams had chances in regular time, with Demarai Gary denied by two deflections and Neal Maupay also going close to finding the net.
At the other end, captain-for-the-day Begovic made a series of fine saves, including one from point-blank range from Kyogo Furuhashi in the second half.
Speaking to evertontv afterwards, Begovic said: "Of course, it's always nice to win. Every good performance, every good result helps with that [confidence].
"We had a difficult week and that's how quickly things can change in football - one bad week and things can look a little bit doom and gloom, but we're going to try to rebuild.
"We've got a good break here coming up as well. Hopefully we can finish the tour with another good performance and result on Wednesday and then take stock from there and see what we can do in the second half of the season.
"Today's result was good for the atmosphere and obviously very important to our fans here. There was a huge number of them here and I didn't know we had this many fans in Australia, to be honest.
"It just shows how big of a club Everton is. We always talk about it but whenever we travel, you see Blues all around and it just confirms that feeling and shows the tradition of the fanbase around the world.
"It's been great to come here - I know Everton haven't been here in a long time, so to come here and see the fans and put on a performance for them is very pleasing.
"It was nice to win, nice to put on a performance, and when you play a team like Celtic you know you're always going to be in for a competitive game - that's exactly what we got today.
"I think the commitment, the effort the attitude was spot on, which is exactly what you need.
"Obviously, we've had a long few days travelling and everything so we need to be fully committed to get a performance and that's exactly what we did. It's nice to get the reward at the end."
Discussing his save to deny Japan international Kyogo, Begovic added: "Just to make myself as big as possible. Obviously, he is the favourite to score in that situation so for me, it's just about making myself as big as possible and giving it a go.
"It's nice to contribute when called upon. The boys in front of me did a great job all game. I thought we were really tight, compact and aggressive as a unit but, of course, if it comes through and you can help with a couple of saves then that's a good thing for me."
Isaac Price started the game and impressed for the Toffees against the Hoops, while fellow Academy graduates Tom Cannon and Stanley Mills were introduced as second-half substitutes.
Begovic lauded the impact and confidence of the young trio, with all three stepping up to take penalties in the shootout and Price and Cannon converting their efforts.
"It's impressive," said Begovic. "Some of the young lads are with us in training and they've been getting appearances here and there.
"You can see the development, you can see the growth.
"Everton are very famous for bringing through their Academy players and I think there are a few boys here who have a chance to progress and play their part in years to come.
"I thought Isaac was outstanding today but so were the other boys when they came on - they did a really good job and helped us get the win."
On the honour of captaining Everton, Begovic added: "It's special. It's always nice to captain a team. I understand my role in the team on the leadership side of things and, obviously, it's very, very special to captain this fantastic club.
"It's always nice when you win, too!"
Everton FC
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Post by rugbytoffee on Nov 20, 2022 9:43:27 GMT
Shocking performance. No attacking threat whatsover.
Long season ahead oh and Glass Man Mina is injured again
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Post by Everton News. on Nov 20, 2022 9:46:16 GMT
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Post by Avinalaff on Nov 20, 2022 9:52:07 GMT
Shocking performance. No attacking threat whatsover. Long season ahead oh and Glass Man Mina is injured again There was no way I was staying up to watch. We're the equivalent of watching paint dry at the moment, and have been for a long time.
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Post by Everton News. on Nov 20, 2022 10:04:01 GMT
Frank Lampard hailed Isaac Price as 'the best player on the pitch' after handing the 19-year-old midfielder his first senior start in Everton's Sydney Super Cup penalty shootout win over Celtic at Accor Stadium. The Blues boss was encouraged by his side's display against the Scottish champions and praised Evertonians for their large support for the clash. Read Lampard's post-match quotes in full, which includes injury updates on Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Nathan Patterson's performance. On an encouraging display and penalty shootout win over Sydney…It was nice to win a game, nice to get some penalties and see some of the young lads want to step up and take one, they all did. I am really pleased with elements of the game. It was a tough game. We have got a bit of jet lag in our bodies still so they were a bit more prepared on that front, but I thought we showed a lot of spirit. Isaac Price’s performance and the injury to Tom Davies.I would’ve played Isaac, anyway, because he has trained really well in recent weeks and he is playing well. With Tom out, that meant we had to go to a back three today as we didn’t have any other midfield players. Doucs got injured at half-time and then we were playing wingers in midfield. That is where we are at. Obviously, we have players at the World Cup and Alex [Iwobi] is with his national team so we are okay once we get everybody back and fit, to a degree, but I suppose it gives an opportunity to Isaac Price who was the best player on the pitch. On chances Everton created…I think with the back five against possession teams like Celtic it means you are going to have to sit back. It wasn’t the worst thing to do because of the jet lag, the travel and all those things that can affect you if you try to play a high press. It is a difficult ask of the players in dry, hot conditions so we made the game plan pretty clear and we created some of the best chances in the game. We created two of the best chances in the first half and then in the second half we had some really good moments. Typically, at the minute it is just the last pass or last shot that isn’t going our way. Are you confident you can make progress on that while you’re over here?I don’t want to answer that with a no but the sessions we have had so far are just to get the legs going. We don’t want to over-analyse certain areas of our game - this week isn’t for that. It is to play and get minutes into players and, of course, we know we need improve in front of goal in terms of our clinical nature. Some of that comes down to improving and some of it comes down to what we can do in January. The injury to Yerry Mina…He felt his hamstring a little bit so we are going to have to scan that one. And Abdoulaye Doucoure…It feels more like a bang just above the knee as opposed to a knee injury. We are hoping he might be okay for the game on Wednesday. On the experience in Australia so far?I thought the support for both teams was great today. You expect it because of the size of the clubs. They are both huge clubs. We appreciate it very much that we are supported on the other side of the world - people who watch us in the middle of the night over here or wherever that is. It is a small world these days so it is nice to travel and our fans came here in their numbers today. Was Nathan Patterson keen to take his penalty in the shootout?He was with his Rangers links. I was more than happy for him to take it. I like lads who stand up. Patts has got some character. He is a good lad and nicely competitive. Pats was really good for us at the start of the season. Then he got an injury while playing with Scotland and since he has come back in, he has still been finding his feet to get back to those levels but as a young player that is normal. He needs to push on now. I thought he did well with bits today but there were a couple of bits that he could be cleaner on, but he is a really good player for us. I was always confident about the attacking side of his game, but as a young player I wanted to see him defensively. At the start of the season it was spot-on and I think he really needs to continue focusing on that side of it. Today, the challenge that was put to him against a player who has got a lot of ability to go either way. I thought he defended pretty well. Everton FC
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