Manager Urges Everton Improvement After Hammers Draw

Carlo Ancelotti says Everton have plenty of scope for improvement – but deserved their draw against West Ham United on Saturday.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s sixth goal in eight Premier League matches banked the Blues a point after Issa Diop headed the hosts in front at the London Stadium.

Ancelotti’s five league matches in charge have yielded 10 points, leaving Everton poised for an assault on the top-six positions.

The Italian was nevertheless frustrated by his side’s slow start to the meeting with West Ham and called for more intensity, purpose and precision in Everton’s football.

“This season we can improve and we have to improve,” said Ancelotti.

“Some parts of the game were good, other parts were not.

“We have to show more intensity in games and be more precise.

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02:42

EVERTON MANAGER ANCELOTTI ON HAMMERS DRAW

Blues claim point following Calvert-Lewin strike.


“When we have possession, we don’t have to be too shy when we play the ball – there we can improve immediately.

“But it was a good point. We did not deserve to equalise in the first half, West Ham played better than us and we made a lot of mistakes.

“In the second half, we played completely differently and in the end deserved the point.”

Everton’s only clear chance of the opening half was created by Lucas Digne, whose cross from the left found Theo Walcott unmarked in front of goal.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph comfortably saved Walcott’s miscued effort and before long West Ham hit the front.

Diop climbed to meet Robert Snodgrass’s free-kick and head beyond Jordan Pickford, who produced tremendous stops from Sebastien Haller and Pablo Fornals either side of the Hammers’ goal.

Calvert-Lewin replied for Everton four minutes later. Digne swung in a corner which was turned on by Mason Holgate for the striker to convert at the back post.

Englishman Calvert-Lewin has played every minute of Ancelotti’s six games in charge and scored 11 goals in all competitions this season.

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01:59 Sat 18 Jan 2020

WATCH: WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 EVERTON

Highlights of Blues' Hammers draw.


The manager sought to inject greater zest into his team with the half-time introduction of forward Anthony Gordon for a Premier League debut.

And former AC Milan and Bayern Munich boss Ancelotti, whose team welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park on Tuesday, praised the contribution of both attackers.

Gordon's two previous Everton outings came in cup competitions: against Apollon Limassol in a Europa League match in December 2017 and last month when the Blues faced Leicester City in a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.

“Anthony did well, he has been doing well in training and did the same in the match,” added Ancelotti.

“It was his first Premier League appearance and he showed character and personality, he tried to do something.

“I am happy with his performance.

“On Dominic, I am pleased with him. He is a really important player for us, really dangerous up front.

“I hope he can continue the same way.”