Manager Ancelotti's Brighton Programme Notes

Good afternoon.

Welcome to Goodison for our game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

I want to start by thanking you for the way you welcomed me to Everton before our game against Burnley on Boxing Day.

It was a special moment for me, like no other reception I’ve had, and reinforced everything I believed and understood about the fantastic club I am proud to manage.

Today’s game marks the start of a fresh period for Everton. The immediate priority this season is to play intelligent, attacking and entertaining football which wins matches and improves our position in the Premier League table.

The team played four matches in two weeks under Duncan and after I arrived we had another four games in days.

This week has allowed us to draw breath and begin working on the training ground to implement our ideas.

Your ability to physically work with the players is compromised when there are only two or three days between fixtures. The effects of our congested schedule were visible in our past two matches but I say that as an observation, not an excuse.

I was pleased with the players’ application and professionalism in our final game of 2018 when we won at Newcastle United.

Our football for the opening 30 minutes was of a high quality, the passing was crisp and positive and produced a number of chances.

I liked the spirit and character of the team after Newcastle equalised. We stayed patient and focussed and resisted the temptation to chase a winning goal.

When the chance arrived to punish Newcastle, we were fast and clinical, qualities you need to be a top team.

We want Dominic Calvert-Lewin thinking like a striker. He has attributes which unsettle defenders, his speed and power but also his quick brain. It is vital for him use those skills in positions which hurt teams and his two goals at Newcastle were evidence of his scorer’s instinct.

We started too slowly at Manchester City. You cannot be passive against any opponent in the Premier League. Every team has players capable of exploiting the smallest holes in your performance and City more than most.

Again, our players deserved credit for refusing to give up on the match and continuing to fight to the last kick to try to continue our unbeaten Premier League run.

In six League matches with Duncan and I we took 11 points. That is a good return and a platform for the rest of this season but will only count for anything meaningful if we progress and win many more games between now and May.

I completely understand the depth of your disappointment and anger after we went out of the FA Cup last week.

Our second-half performance was a long way short of what we delivered over the previous month and further away still from the standard we expect in future.

Elements of the first half were good. We were purposeful and had three clear opportunities to score.

Going into half-time at 0-0 was frustrating but this is football, it happens, you cannot invite negative feelings which inhibit your work.

The energy and intensity disappeared from our game after half-time and that enabled Liverpool, with their fresh legs, to take advantage.

I have spoken to the players individually and collectively this week about what happened.

It will take time to wash away the disappointment and that should be the case after a defeat of that nature.

Once it has happened, though, you work so hard to make sure it is not repeated.

We welcome Graham Potter, the staff, players and fans of Brighton.

Graham is new to the Premier League but doing fabulous work. He took a brave decision to begin his coaching career in Sweden and did a magnificent job for Ostersunds.

I know he had Swansea City playing very good football last season and from studying Brighton it is clear he is staying faithful to his footballing principles at the top level.

They will come with no fear and our challenge is to better their quality and desire.

I cannot wait to be back on the touchline at Goodison after three away games and to again hear the incredible noise you create supporting Everton.

Enjoy the game.
Carlo