Seasons2020-21Everton News
Ancelotti all smiles after Everton success at Molineux
Carlo Ancelotti praised his players for carrying out a different game plan against Wolves last night, one that yielded another important win that keeps Everton among the clubs chasing European qualification this season.
The Blues atoned for what was one of their worst displays at last season, a 3-0 defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo's side, by winning 2-1 to temporarily move back into fourth place in the Premier League table.
It was a victory secured without a recognised striker in the starting XI and an improvised line-up that deployed Gylfi Sigurdsson and James Rodriguez as nominal “false nines” in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, with Alex Iwobi and Lucas Digne on the flanks and it paid dividends. as Iwobi and Michael grabbed the goals.
“We knew it would be a difficult game to play here,” Ancelotti admitted to BBC Sport. “Last season we had a bad memory of this game. Today was totally different — different spirit, different attitude and we played the game we had planned.
“We had planned to be safe at the back, don't concede counter-attacks and to be clinical when the opportunities came.
"We had a different approach. Without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, we could play more on the counter-attack, we could play more crosses and [attack down] the flanks with Iwobi and Digne and it worked well because the first goal was a fantastic combination.”
Ancelotti was asked about the second and winning goal from Keane and also why he felt his team has been so good on the road this season where they have now won six times.
“It was fantastic. We are strong there and Michael Keane is unbelievable with his head. It was his birthday [yesterday] and he celebrated really well helping us to stay in a good position in the table.
“A closed door. This is the key [to our away record]. I think that this is the [pattern] in the Premier League — without the crowd, of course, the away team has more advantage and we perform better away because at home we haven't had the support of our supporters which is really important.
“We played with 2,000 supporters against Chelsea and Arsenal and we won.”
Ancelotti was asked specifically by Sky Sports about the performance of Digne who played 66 minutes against Rotherham last Saturday on his return from ankle surgery and then played the full 90 minutes at Molineux in the left-wing role in place of Richarlison.
“I think he did really well,” the Italian said. “He is not so happy to play in that position but he did it for the team and he did really well [to set up the first goal].”
The Frenchman may have to reprieve the role on Sunday if Everton's game against Aston Villa goes ahead as Calvert-Lewin will remain an injury doubt. Additionally, Everton will be without key midfield man Abdoulaye Doucouré who misses the next match through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season.
“Richarlison [will be back] for sure,” Ancelotti said. “Calvert-Lewin, I don't think so. Doucouré is a key player and I think [he] was a fantastic signing in the summer. He's a fantastic guy and a fantastic professional. I think he deserves to rest so it's not so bad!”
Reader Comments (39)
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2 Posted 13/01/2021 at 22:35:08
I am sure his smile would be broader if he can adjust his tactics for home games.
I understand the away set ups but at home we have to be more open and attacking
There has to be a balance somewhere
3 Posted 13/01/2021 at 22:42:03
4 Posted 13/01/2021 at 22:44:06
A Good point for Fulham tonight at Spurs.
5 Posted 13/01/2021 at 22:47:59
6 Posted 13/01/2021 at 22:54:29
So far, the season has gone as well as we could have hoped for. Ahead of Tottenham on points, 6 points ahead of Chelsea and 9 points ahead of Arsenal.
Is that not a good place to be?
7 Posted 14/01/2021 at 01:03:45
8 Posted 14/01/2021 at 03:28:27
Do you people understand how good this manager, Carlo Ancelloti, is?
He is a tactician, a man-manager, and a brilliant football mind.
He cares not for "pretty football". He's not set in his ways. He doesn't have "a system".
He manages each game with what he has at his disposal, and he sets his players up to win each individual game to the best of his ability.
He doesn't get it right every time but, by fuck, he gets it right most of the time.
I absolutely adore this man. He is class, he represents Everton wonderfully on the pitch, with his demeanor, and off the pitch.
I hope he never gets sacked, and leaves on his terms.
This manager we have is gold. Enjoy his reign.
9 Posted 14/01/2021 at 03:46:27
"I think he deserves to rest so it's not so bad!” – cheeky bastard!
10 Posted 14/01/2021 at 03:48:03
11 Posted 14/01/2021 at 04:58:09
It is even more miraculous given the injuries we have suffered.
Carlo is indeed as Magnifico as they come.
12 Posted 14/01/2021 at 06:24:45
13 Posted 14/01/2021 at 06:56:12
Add to this the guy's character and attitude and he's a real winner!
14 Posted 14/01/2021 at 08:05:16
15 Posted 14/01/2021 at 08:11:02
With half the season gone and being in a respectable position in the Premier League, I hope that we can remain consistent. If we can beat those around us in the top six, and the rest of the chasing pack, playing in Europe is on the cards.
16 Posted 14/01/2021 at 08:54:45
With regards to the home and away form, I think it will change once Carlo has brought in 2 or 3 new players. The type of players who will allow us to control the game.
My wife is Italian so I have, along with my two sons, had a great interest in Italian football over the years, watching Napoli when he was manager and before. Both of my sons played for local teams in Italy so we are all well aware of how seriously football is taken there.
We are in good hands with a manager that is respected globally. Thank you, Mr Moshiri.
17 Posted 14/01/2021 at 09:01:07
This fella, despite who he's surrounded with, has a calm but winning mentality neither we nor the board are used to. Just the final push this window could make it a glorious second half of the season, or alternatively we could be content to hover in 4th or whatever. The silence from our Dutchman is deafening.
19 Posted 14/01/2021 at 09:41:57
20 Posted 14/01/2021 at 09:48:42
After the fanfare of our three outstanding signings of Allan, Doucouré and James, Ben Godfrey sneaked in later as a sort of surprise signing.
I bet any money there isn't a club in this country that is not gutted they didn't beat us to his signature. He adds energy, pace, desire and a will to win. It's personal to him that he wins his duals and you can often see him full pelt to atone any mistake. What a great player to have in our team, he has fully played his part in our fully deserved league position.
Marcel Brands and his team who scouted and followed him deserve a lot of credit for bring him in.
26 Posted 14/01/2021 at 14:43:06
Fair point! Cheers bud.
27 Posted 14/01/2021 at 15:29:42
28 Posted 14/01/2021 at 15:33:07
29 Posted 14/01/2021 at 15:35:28
We used to have to go to HQ down in Napoli at least once a month. Chaotic place!
30 Posted 14/01/2021 at 16:17:44
31 Posted 14/01/2021 at 17:23:01
Not necessarily saying make them captain, but you can already see the likes of Allan and Godfrey constantly in the ears of their fellow players.
The latter in particular bodes well for such a young player having made the step up to a big club from provincial Norwich. Shows confidence and belief.
32 Posted 14/01/2021 at 18:21:03
What a joy if he breaks the pattern of the odd purple patch amidst no silverware seasons of years past and actually wins something.
Hope the football improves it is truly horrendous right now 5 mins is enough before I hit the off button.
Kudos to those managing to watch entire games not sure whether you deserve medals, medication or an eye test.
33 Posted 14/01/2021 at 19:55:20
34 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:05:46
35 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:05:46
36 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:05:46
37 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:25:49
38 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:35:05
"today"?? as opposed to other days
I do like that.
39 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:49:27
Look forward to the game a couple of days before. Get the updates from the press conference.
The day of the game arrives. Numerous glances at the watch to check in on the confirmed line-ups. Discuss tactics and potential formations.
It's arrived: 3 pm, players take the knee, the game kicks off. A few early passages of play whilst the teams find their feet.
Clock ticks to 3:05 pm, Oh fuck it, can't watch anymore of this shit. I am off down the park to shout at the trees.
Oh the joys of being an Evertonian.
40 Posted 14/01/2021 at 20:57:47
41 Posted 14/01/2021 at 21:09:12
42 Posted 14/01/2021 at 21:36:38
43 Posted 15/01/2021 at 08:16:46
I admire your diligence.
Usually, my experience is "oh!! we're playing today" switch on somewhere during the game (Wolves was at 30 mins) then 5 mins later realise this is a film I've watched a thousand times and switch off.
Seems sensible to enjoy rather than tolerate the game to me.
44 Posted 15/01/2021 at 11:31:27
45 Posted 16/01/2021 at 07:57:55
I think you're right – I don't think we have lost with a back 4 of Godfrey, Mina, Keane and Holgate. Solid all over that is.
As for Carlo – class act, top manager.
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1 Posted 13/01/2021 at 21:59:10