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Koeman credits game-changer Valencia
Enner Valencia scored his first Premier League goal in 31 appearances to set Everton on their way to a 3-0 win.
Ronald Koeman was pleased overall with Everton's
Enner Valencia came off the bench and made the difference, breaking the deadlock and winning a penalty before Romelu Lukaku smashed in a third to put some gloss on what ended up being a fine win.
Koeman acknowledged that the Ecuadorian's pace what his side needed after another poor first-half showing and he also had praise for Tom Davies who made his first start under the Dutchman.
“The first half was not good. I think we missed some tempo in the game and every time the tempo was higher, we created opportunities to score.
“That was the problem in the first half. There wasn't that intensity in the game but we brought that in after half time and you see the final result.
“A clean sheet is always important because that's [all about] organisation. They did not have big chances… maybe at the end from Rodriguez but I think we did well defensively and much better in the second half than in the first.
After fielding three over-30s against Hull, Koeman named two teenagers in his starting XI this afternoon but lost Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury after just 10 minutes.
It was hard luck on the young striker but Davies took his opportunity with a strong showing in the middle of the park alongside Idrissa Gueye who now departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The reason to start with Dominic in the beginning was to have someone behind Romelu to make the runs and open the game,” Koeman explained.
“It was unlucky [for] the boy that we had to change him but it's true that Enner when he came in… not only to score the goal but his whole performance — we needed his pace in the game.
“He is doing well. He's a young player and he needs time but he's physically strong. Two times he came off the bench and did well and, OK, his first start is also [to do with the fact that] we will miss Gana the next couple of weeks and we know we need to protect Gareth Barry sometimes.
“It's always good to have young players because it's always a good experience for them.”
Reader Comments (21)
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3 Posted 02/01/2017 at 20:52:29
4 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:03:24
5 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:07:27
6 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:12:17
7 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:28:25
8 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:33:19
Great result, still it's 90-minutes plus injury time, and over 38 games plus cups, so a long, long way to go before becoming capable of running the marathon and winning the EPL.
Ross Barkley's best game by a mile today but still consistency is needed; faster players around him seem to make his decision-making better? Let's hope for a good week ahead and some good transfer news soon.
9 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:40:43
Not a long term answer to the necessary quality needed to move us on to the next level that we require but for now he appears to offer more able back up than the likes of Kone or invisible man Niasse.
We can always be wise looking back in hindsight talking about why Mirallas was brought on ahead of Valencia for Calvert-Lewin but at the time nobody questioned it as Mirallas is as capable as any of producing a goal.
Let's just say today Koeman got his substitutions spot on and the later introduction of Valencia against a then tiring Southampton defence worked magic.
A good start to the year but we need to build and build and make a solid stable platform for a real top four assault next season.
10 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:54:03
Valencia may not be the greatest player in the world, but he plays with urgency and must be a nightmare to defend against. I hope Koeman takes what lessons he can from this and we're not back to Barry, Jags and an isolated Lukaku next game.
11 Posted 02/01/2017 at 21:57:31
The summer has to be when we attempt to move-on the dead-wood at the club too such as Gibson, Kone etc.
12 Posted 02/01/2017 at 22:37:14
I confess I have not noticed this level of ability from him up to now.
13 Posted 02/01/2017 at 22:56:27
14 Posted 02/01/2017 at 00:21:49
I like the way he's conducting himself. He ain't perfect in what he says but if our players are men rather than wusses they'll appreciate it when he praises them and praise them he does IF, but only IF, they earn it.
It's the real-world, and way overdue to some of them who I think we're seriously damaged by that gobshite Martinez constantly bigging them up despite the ineptness they displayed.
The results are the clue and somehow he ain't doing too bad at all. With better players he may well do even better. He knows it, I believe it, and so it's time for the board to deliver.
NOW!
15 Posted 03/01/2017 at 00:23:06
Davies was pretty decent in his first start. He grew into the game and was prepared to carry the ball later on and not just release it like early on which shows he's got a trick in him. Great work rate throughout as well.
Let's be cautious though.
Barry came on and produced several passes forward that got us going. This is a strength of his game and shouldn't be forgotten just because he can't cover the ground at pace as before.
It's a transition period and patience is required as the new replaces the old.
16 Posted 03/01/2017 at 01:12:04
I have said from the beginning that Koeman's appointment looked more based on what he did for Southampton than taking us up to the level we as fans deserve. Interesting times.
17 Posted 03/01/2017 at 05:39:50
18 Posted 03/01/2017 at 11:39:52
19 Posted 03/01/2017 at 15:33:01
Too many have foolishly written Barry off in the last 2/3 games – he made more telling forward passes when he came on than McCarthy's made all season and Ross made before he was subbed Mike @ 17.
When is Ross going to be an awesome player? How many more years will we wait to see that? 5+ seasons in Premier League already and still waiting for real signs of it.
20 Posted 04/01/2017 at 04:55:49
Over his career up to this point he has looked magnificent on the ball sometimes but has seemed to shirk out of most physical contact which is a real handicap. But over the last few games something has changed in him its like the cloud has lifted and he is really throwing his weight around.
For me this is really a wonderful triumph for the lad because the monkey is off his back. It's taken a long time but finally we are seeing the real Barkley. It's great for the club, don't you think?
21 Posted 04/01/2017 at 11:42:00
22 Posted 05/01/2017 at 17:57:34
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2 Posted 02/01/2017 at 20:28:35
Calvert-Lewin looked a bit out of it, I thought, in his substitute appearances but I was very encouraged by his style and energy today even in such a short appearance. Let's hope for a very quick recovery.