Seasons2020-21Everton News
Ancelotti: We couldn't match Fulham's intensity

Carlo Ancelotti cited fatigue as being a big factor behind his team's dreadful home defeat to Fulham this evening, one that could prove to be damaging to his team's hopes of qualifying for Europe this season.
Everton lost for the third time in four home fixtures as Scott Parker's relegation-threatened side played them off the park and left Goodison Park with a well-deserved 2-0 victory, leaving Ancelotti's men facing successive games against leaders Manchester City and arch rivals Liverpool in which to try and quickly reverse their fortunes.
The Italian's starting line-up only featured four players who played the full 120 minutes in midweek and while he suggested that was a big reason why his side lost so badly, he also acknowledged Fulham's own display.
“First of all, we were missing the physical aspect [to our game],” Ancelotti told the BBC. “I think we suffered [from] the two hours against Tottenham.
“We were not able to keep pace with the intensity that Fulham put [into the game], pressing a lot and, practically, we were not able to play as we wanted.
“We wanted to have good control of the game, put in more midfielders on the pitch but they pressed a lot.
“I think [tiredness] was one of the aspects but not everything because sometimes you have to say the opponent did play better than you and they deserved to win.”
In his interview with evertontv, however, the manager hinted that there is also a problem with his team's mentality and that they can get complacent when they're expected to win.
That bodes well for the next two games, fixtures in which they rarely do well.
“We have to better at home — we've lost too many games,” Ancelotti admitted. “I think when we suffer, we win. When we think it's not going to be too difficult, we lose some concentration and motivation.
“On Wednesday, it's going to be a difficult game against a team that has won, I think, 14 games in a row so it's time for them to lose!”

André Gomes, meanwhile, refused to blame the gruelling cup tie against Tottenham for the poor performance against the Cottagers.
He told evertontv: “Obviously, it was really tough for us… disappointing” he said. “It wasn't good enough so we want to be better and prepare for Wednesday.
“[Fulham] played really well. It was difficult for us to manage the game and we didn't have the pace or intensity we normally have. It was a hard defeat for us but, like I say, we need to learn from our mistakes and focus on Wednesday.
“We tried in the last 20 minutes, trying to push forward to get back into the game but, unfortunately, it didn't happen. We need to blame ourselves for what we did and we must learn from that.
“Obviously, it's a hard time. We are playing every three days but the Premier League is like that. Every team is having the same problem so we can't blame that. It was only our fault, I would say.
“We were really confident before this game but it's the Premier League — every game is tough and if you don't have the right approach to the game it's really tough.”
Reader Comments (91)
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2 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:07:37
Newcastle and now Fulham have both played us off the park, why can't we play on the front foot against teams near the bottom of the League. Pick the right players and attack, we are at home!
3 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:09:44
for explaining so clearly the problems you faced in trying to cope with the mighty Fulham.
Do me a favour and stop
taking the PISS.
4 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:19:40
5 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:19:53
12/12/20
Newcastle United 2 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
16/12/20
Leeds United 5 - 2 Newcastle United
19/12/20
Newcastle United 1 - 1 Fulham
26/12/20
Manchester City 2 - 0 Newcastle United
30/12/20
Newcastle United 0 - 0 Liverpool
03/01/21
Newcastle United 1 - 2 Leicester City
12/01/21
Sheffield United 1 - 0 Newcastle United
18/01/21
Arsenal 3 - 0 Newcastle United
23/01/21 Aston Villa 2 - 0 Newcastle United
26/01/21
Newcastle United 1 - 2 Leeds United
30/01/21
Everton 0 - 2 Newcastle United
02/02/21
Newcastle United 1 - 2 Crystal Palace
06/02/21
Newcastle United 3 - 2 Southampton
We are a joke!
6 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:48:39
Believe me Andre. We have heard this before many many times before!
"It was difficult for us to manage the game and we didn't have the pace or intensity we normally have."
Name one game we played with pace and intensity!
"It was a hard defeat for us but, like I say, we need to learn from our mistakes and focus on Wednesday."
Why didn't you learn it after other utterly crap performances against Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester and West ham to name a few!?
“Obviously, it's a hard time. We are playing every three days but the Premier League is like that."
I have news for you! Its not just Premier League Andre! In Spain and Italy for example, they play 3 games a week too! What about Fulham, West Ham and Newcastle? Aren't they playing the same amount of games as we do!!!?
7 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:57:54
I hope theres been some honest open minded review of this match, as it was the best example of to set up and get smashed, because there was no belief, no movement no desire etc.
This Wednesday and the next month if fixtures will be a defining phase in this season for Everton.
The facts are this Everton, and other recent Everton teams never turn up regardless of the opposition when the stakes are high.
That was our best chance of getting 3 points for possibly, and I really hope not over the next few weeks, as the fixtures we have are tough.
Dust down now and move on, and hopefully the sludge has finally been flushed out of the squads mindset for this season.
Blood, swear and tears and more for the Everton cause on a Wednesday, and no more pathetic after match excuses, from any of the players.
Fulham epitomised all the good traits of a decent footballing team and the warning lights were on at half time, as with better finishing it could have been at least 3-4, nil to them by half time.
Now lets see which version of Everton turn up v City.
8 Posted 15/02/2021 at 23:06:25
9 Posted 15/02/2021 at 23:31:35
Olsen
Coleman Keane Godfrey Digne
Davies Doucoure
Iwobi Allan Richarlison
Calvert Lewin
Pace everywhere; slow coaches Sigurdsson, Gomes, James can warm the bench for an hour at least.
10 Posted 15/02/2021 at 23:43:59
In my 60+ years supporting this club I could count on one hand the amount of times we have shown real "bottle" the perennial shithouse geno runs deep in the dna of this gutless club.
I like CA but see nothing from him to suggest he understands let alone has a plan to change this.
If he said another debacle will result in the twats having a yellow streak painted on the back of their shirts and the badge changed to a chicken I might change my mind.
We're still drifting
11 Posted 15/02/2021 at 23:55:47
Spot on pal. For the money they receive the effort is scandalous. There are players getting a game that don't give two hoots whether they win or lose at this club.
Carlo Ancelotti has been around the block. He must see it too.
12 Posted 15/02/2021 at 00:11:21
At this time of year, Everton should be looking for central defenders from the under 23s because they have at least 6 months of playing competitive football in the PL2. No chance, there are none.
In games of late, Ancelotti has been forced to rest Keane to Mina because the only other proven central defender Everton had to play in further games in empty stadiums without the pressure and intimidation of 'packed houses' was Branthwaite. He is out on loan wasting his premier league time at Blackburn as Everton are conceding too many goals to be serious challengers for a top 4 place.
13 Posted 16/02/2021 at 06:32:35
Thank you
14 Posted 16/02/2021 at 08:20:41
A disgrace
If the couldnt cope with Fulhams press and intensity then God help us in the next two games when we really will get serious press and intensity.
15 Posted 16/02/2021 at 09:24:44
16 Posted 16/02/2021 at 09:35:51
17 Posted 16/02/2021 at 09:51:21
Would they have been as crap as the others though? Tough one to answer, I doubt they would've been worse.
Anyway we are, or we should be done here, we've talked it to death so lets move on - its game on tomorrow.
Who knows how The Mk II Tinkerman will go with team selection and formation...and even fewer will know in advance on which Everton will turn up...upto and including Ancelotti and the players themselves.
Strange days Indeed.
18 Posted 16/02/2021 at 09:59:35
19 Posted 16/02/2021 at 10:19:06
I like James, Sigurdsson & Gomes but all 3 of them lack pace and should never play together as a trio.
20 Posted 16/02/2021 at 10:54:21
21 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:06:27
22 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:13:18
23 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:17:00
24 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:27:41
We could easily have put James in midfield in place of Siggy, Bernard and Iwobi either side of Richy or King and had pretty fresh team.
Instead, we played the same bizarre formation we had away at Newcastle and, somehow, managed to put in an even worse performance.
Awful selection from Carlo.
25 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:33:18
The question mark is that I believe Carlo knows what an almighty mess the mentality side of the club is in. He probably privately doubts that even he can operate successfully to remove the foul tumour of mediocrity that leeches season after season on this great clubs innards.
I still believe that Ancelotti has standards that he is determined to embed. I want the fans to give him plenty of trust and time to do it. I think there has been improvement in the team and there will be bumps along the road, but fuck me Fulham was no bump, it was a pothole the size of a crater.
I also must admit some of the team selections he has come up with have been unnecessarily weak , selections that just dont cut the mustard in the physical, competitive world of he Premier League. Always and without exception the intensity and desire has to at the very very least match the opposition or the control of a game is conceded .
Our midfield needs to be constructed with intensity and desire as the priority qualities, it goes without saying they need to be hugely talented with the ball too . Is it too much to as to have both?
26 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:36:44
Gomes showed how easy it could have been when he strode forward and took a shot; Fulham folded like tissue paper. The only problem was it was as pathetic a shot as his contribution all evening.
27 Posted 16/02/2021 at 11:42:23
His team is not fit enough, is not motivated enough and his cuddly, arm round the shoulder routine is not working.
He is indulging James, who is contributing jackshit.
Many of these guys let Silva down. Man City will expose our defensive statues and the lovable neighbours will destroy us.
I have zero confidence in them.
28 Posted 16/02/2021 at 12:08:55
Yes, he makes some bad team selections but he can only use what cloth he has to cut with. Whoever he chooses there is always 1-2 player (min) who go MIA in games, usually the same ones.
Carlo will get us there, eventually. If he cant we may as well give up. Oh, and please dont ever mention Potter, Dyche, Moyes, NES or even the former Bournemouth manager who was a favourite on here.
29 Posted 16/02/2021 at 12:29:43
The clamour from one or two posters to appoint him as our manager was fervent.
30 Posted 16/02/2021 at 12:36:30
31 Posted 16/02/2021 at 13:11:53
Eddie (29) Spot on.
Carlo was much vaunted as the epitome of Mr Cool as he sipped his tea as all around him were losing the plot when Bernard slammed in number 5.
Did anyone think like me at the time ? Where is his passion and excitement? Is this just another job ? Am I really that bothered ?
32 Posted 16/02/2021 at 13:12:14
33 Posted 16/02/2021 at 13:23:42
You are correct, it wont take ten transfer windows before it gets better, but until the summer he will have to use the squad better and not experiment with different formations versus the weaker teams, with Sundays formation he made us one of the weaker teams, not for the first time.
[BRZ]
34 Posted 16/02/2021 at 13:43:20
Pickford trained OK yesterday and could play. Allan and James also.
Says we will need to play a defensive rather than open game v City tomorrow.
No issues with Josh King's fitness, that he can and will play during the season. That he is adapting well to the team.
Gave the Colombian journo short shrift when he asked if James is being deliberately targeted by opponents to take him out of the game and if James himself could do something to avoid getting these knocks.
Carlo replied the only way for James to avoid physical contact is for him not to play! That, or a radical rule change. Carlo considered the challenges were normal, so no sympathy from the manager for James.
Need to scroll past the still photo in the link to around 16 mins 30 secs for the start of the presser.
35 Posted 16/02/2021 at 13:56:26
36 Posted 16/02/2021 at 14:13:57
37 Posted 16/02/2021 at 16:30:32
When we play City and Liverpool we will need a strong midfield but we will also have to create chances on the counter, when you don't have a counter attacking formation how are you expected to score ?
38 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:06:49
The manager isnt getting the best out of them. The manager isnt motivating them. The managers failure to spill his tea is somehow indicative that all our problems are Carlos fault!!
Maybe if we brought in the best motivational manager we can find - Klopp, Guardiola, Simeone - somehow wed get consistent performances from Bernard, Sigurdsson, Gomes etc. Or would we?!
39 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:13:44
One thing is certain though and thats if he carries on performing like the other night, it wont matter what his feelings are towards Everton, because that was unacceptable, and Evertonians will be the first to tell him.
40 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:18:48
41 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:23:00
Good to see so many dismissing this nonsense.
Like the past four managers. This guy thinks we were born yesterday.
The honeymoon period is coming to an end. More and more people are becoming disgruntled with this soulless dross.
We want to see the Sultans of swing. Not the Zombies of Ming
42 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:27:22
43 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:29:14
That sentence is an excuse, not a reason, and is unacceptable.
Step it up Carlo lad!
44 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:37:07
My ding a ling
[BRZ]
45 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:44:03
The truth is a lot less fanciful and already explained by Carlo himself on the night.
Carlo's Cool Tea Blowing Explained
It was so cold on the night Carlo said he couldn't speak and he asked for a cup of tea. And there was no joyous celebration because he had seen a VAR check was being run.
What next? Interpreting the hidden messages in his farts?
Forget it. Been done already.
46 Posted 16/02/2021 at 17:49:37
I have it on good authority he can give a good rendition of boogie woogie bugle boy with them.
(cue
Well he certainly talks out of his arse)
47 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:10:10
I would love Ancelotti to do well and as an Evertonian pray that he still will but on the Evidence of the Newcastle, West Ham and now Fulham games he just seems to be the latest in a long line of bottlers who send out mentally week fragile teams with no detectable tactics. Worse than this he seems to have no ability against those sorts of teams to change things around. It was obvious from the demeanour of the players on Sunday that they believed all they needed to do was turn up to beat Fulham - witness Mason Holgate. A manager should never allow that to happen unless he hed the same opinion
48 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:20:45
I forgot about him. I was talking about Martinez. Koeman, The Night king and Silva all spouting similar shite to what Carlo has spouted here.
I have nightmares that after spending 500m on players 100m + on five managers..TGT comes back to haunt us by finishing above Carlo.
Lets hope that prospect is put to bed sooner rather than later.
49 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:22:23
50 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:24:44
I only look at what Ancellotti has spent Darren, because he wouldnt have been appointed if the others you mentioned hadnt wasted so much money on mediocrity. But Moyes, took us for fools imo, and was unbelievably clapped out the fucking ground.
51 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:38:10
This is a mentality that has existed for years at Everton. Kenwright &Co, hanger on Everton Stars, Finch Farm and Mercenary substandard Footballers on Popstar wages have all been analysed and blamed as the causes of this often recognised and typicial Everton malaise. Maybe Ancelotti may get to the bottom of it and Good Luck to him in trying to sort it out. There has been a reduction in the Injury Recovery loophole to get out of training, since Ancelottis reorganisation of Medical Services.
I don't buy the fatigue excuse, which was pushed in the media.
52 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:40:26
Moyes upcoming six games are all against the "big" clubs. Be interesting to see if he adopts his usual "knife to a gunfight" mentality. I saw him do that against the RS -- shutting up shop at 0-2 a few weeks ago. I expect more of the same and those who laud him as a genius to remember his true nature.
53 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:40:51
54 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:41:52
Look at the money Mancini and Pellegrini spent.
55 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:45:24
Some of our fans obviously still hold Davie close to thier hearts.
Astounding
56 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:53:40
57 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:54:00
I hated Moyes and his expectation management when he was here and you have to say. He hardly set a high bar for Carlo But he spend less in 11 years than Carlo has in 11 months. His team regularly finished about the seventh place we are in now and although he often played dull unimaginative football, people like Baines Pienarr and Osman ensured it was still a sight better than what we see now.
Given what Carlo earns, His pulling power, his incredible tactical know how and the fact that he inherited a team in much better position we are surely entitled to expect more from him than we got from TGT.
58 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:57:30
59 Posted 16/02/2021 at 18:59:23
60 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:03:25
I would like to see any post from anybody (including Richard Dodds) stating that.
I worry about this club. It doesnt matter how far you lower the bar...it's never quite far enough
61 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:05:46
62 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:07:08
Its becoming like a link to the samaritans.
63 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:09:21
64 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:31:36
Those who are feeling down now should consider that Ancelotti encouraged Richarlison to give one more season to the club. He could be off in the summer if we dont get European football. I suspect others may be too - then thered be major rebuilding to be done!
65 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:36:04
No wonder all these managers must think we were born yesterday, because although Ive slagged Kenwright for years, only now, whilst Im writing this post, do I realise how much talent the man must really have!
66 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:41:37
Uncle Bill and TGT, An unholy alliance.
The birth of expectation management.
Still prevalent today
67 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:43:01
There will be setbacks and although some of the football being played is not what we all want but overall we have improved. I think we should let Carlo get on with bringing in points however he can with the hope that style of football will improve as he shapes the team.
We are still in with a shout of top 4 and certainly top 6 together with an FA Cup quarter final.
Things could be so much worse.
68 Posted 16/02/2021 at 19:49:08
I wished Duncan Ferguson was given 50 games.
69 Posted 16/02/2021 at 20:10:17
70 Posted 16/02/2021 at 20:13:29
Don't tell the players that. They will down tools even more, according to Ancelotti.
71 Posted 16/02/2021 at 20:49:46
Agree 100%
72 Posted 16/02/2021 at 20:52:50
73 Posted 16/02/2021 at 20:56:48
[BRZ]
74 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:11:04
Verratti in PSG's midfield is some player. Moise Kean impressing. Gana Gueye not surprisingly subbed off at half time having picked up a yellow card then got a warning from the ref for a second foul just before the interval.
In English league games tonight I see Simms played all game in Blackpool's 1-0 home win with Rochdale while down the road at Preston Anthony Gordon got 30 mins as sub in their 0-1 loss to Watford.
And Moise Kean just denied by a fantastic ter Stegen save.
75 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:12:46
Never mind... we have King for tomorrow against Man City.... mmmmmmm.
Then again, look at the service he gets.
76 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:16:06
When your team mates are Mbappe, Di Maria, Icardi, Veratti, Neymar there is half a chance you will get chances provided
77 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:24:26
Kean is a different player than when he turned out for Everton, he most probably will want to leave next season but I would prefer he stays and make sure he has support because he knows where the goal is.
78 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:29:01
[BRZ]
79 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:31:26
PSG on easy street. 3-1. Virtual white hankies being waved for Koeman in the ether.
80 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:33:51
81 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:35:45
82 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:45:01
83 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:45:13
We buy young players for sure, then too often fail to play them and allow them to prosper.
84 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:47:27
Kean was not happy at Everton and wanted to leave, instead of having an unhappy player they loaned him out, and the way he is playing if he is sold next season we will get more than what we paid.
[BRZ]
85 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:47:43
Those white hankies turning into funeral shrouds for Koeman.
86 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:49:56
87 Posted 16/02/2021 at 21:52:03
88 Posted 16/02/2021 at 22:00:59
89 Posted 16/02/2021 at 22:21:19
90 Posted 17/02/2021 at 01:12:07
Better off on loan. If we can sell great, bring in better in the summer.
It's always back to Moyes with some fans. Great for us at the time but we have moved on. He'll do well at West Ham but he's not going to crack the top 4.
Carlo expected his players to do better against Fulham, no one on the pitch knew how to react. He'll feel let down. Lack of leadership on the pitch.
He has to take some responsibility for that. Strange line up and subs.
91 Posted 17/02/2021 at 18:10:06
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1 Posted 15/02/2021 at 22:03:59