Kurt Zouma stressed the team’s determination to deliver a winning performance for the Everton fans as the Blues kick off a busy festive period against Watford on Monday night.
The towering defender also praised “quality player” Richarlison, whose goal against Newcastle United last Wednesday was his seventh in 13 Premier League games this season.
Everton’s clash with Watford at Goodison Park is their first of six top-flight matches in just 22 days.
A victory for Marco Silva’s side would see them leapfrog Manchester United and return to sixth in the table.
The Toffees have been in fine form at home of late, having accumulated 13 points from their past five contests at the Grand Old Lady.
France international Zouma is expecting another electric atmosphere under the lights at Goodison – and underlined the team’s resolve to reward the watching Evertonians’ vocal support.
“We know Monday will be another fight at home and we want to win in front of our fans,” he said. “They deserve it.
“In the last game [against Newcastle], we couldn’t win but we did not lose and are still unbeaten after five games at Goodison.
“Let’s keep it up. We have another game, a tough game, but a chance to win – so let’s try to win it.”
Zouma’s confidence is further enhanced by the form of explosive forward Richarlison, who will face his former club for the first time since making the switch from Vicarage Road in the summer.
The Brazilian is averaging a goal every 157 minutes in the top-flight this season and has shone whether deployed on the left flank or as a central striker.
Zouma highlights the 21-year-old’s versatility as a key attribute and is convinced he will remain on the goal trail, no matter what position he is selected to play.
“We all know the quality he has, especially at a young age,” he said. “He is a quality player, he scores different types of goals and it will be good if he can score even more goals for us.
“He has the quality to play on the left and up front. He gives us more options as well, he can change positions during a game like we saw against Newcastle.
“The manager can use him everywhere in attack, which is good for us.
“And good for him, as well, because he scores goals wherever he plays. I hope he can continue going like that.”
The towering defender also praised “quality player” Richarlison, whose goal against Newcastle United last Wednesday was his seventh in 13 Premier League games this season.
Everton’s clash with Watford at Goodison Park is their first of six top-flight matches in just 22 days.
A victory for Marco Silva’s side would see them leapfrog Manchester United and return to sixth in the table.
The Toffees have been in fine form at home of late, having accumulated 13 points from their past five contests at the Grand Old Lady.
France international Zouma is expecting another electric atmosphere under the lights at Goodison – and underlined the team’s resolve to reward the watching Evertonians’ vocal support.
“We know Monday will be another fight at home and we want to win in front of our fans,” he said. “They deserve it.
“In the last game [against Newcastle], we couldn’t win but we did not lose and are still unbeaten after five games at Goodison.
“Let’s keep it up. We have another game, a tough game, but a chance to win – so let’s try to win it.”
Zouma’s confidence is further enhanced by the form of explosive forward Richarlison, who will face his former club for the first time since making the switch from Vicarage Road in the summer.
The Brazilian is averaging a goal every 157 minutes in the top-flight this season and has shone whether deployed on the left flank or as a central striker.
Zouma highlights the 21-year-old’s versatility as a key attribute and is convinced he will remain on the goal trail, no matter what position he is selected to play.
“We all know the quality he has, especially at a young age,” he said. “He is a quality player, he scores different types of goals and it will be good if he can score even more goals for us.
“He has the quality to play on the left and up front. He gives us more options as well, he can change positions during a game like we saw against Newcastle.
“The manager can use him everywhere in attack, which is good for us.
“And good for him, as well, because he scores goals wherever he plays. I hope he can continue going like that.”
