Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to Everton’s resilience, focus and ‘sacrifice’ as they returned to Premier League action with a goalless Merseyside derby draw in a behind-closed-doors clash at Goodison Park.
The Blues kept the visitors at bay with a steely defensive display and went so close to taking all three points when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s flick was clawed away by Alisson before Tom Davies saw his follow-up smack the post.
Ancelotti conceded Liverpool saw more of the ball but was heartened by his side’s attitude after three months out of action because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And the Italian believes the performance was further proof Everton – who fielded their youngest starting XI in a Premier League Merseyside derby - can match the best teams in the Premier League.
He said: “Honestly, we were really close to winning but it was a difficult game. We performed really well, we were focused and sacrificed.
“At the end we had opportunities to score and were a bit unlucky. But Liverpool played a good game and had more possession but defensively we were really good.
“We had the opportunity and did our best, Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies did their best.
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“We were a bit unlucky but, honestly a draw was fair. The performance was good and for this reason we can be satisfied.
“We competed well against Manchester United, too. When we are focused and work well together we are a good team and can compete.
“We didn’t have lot of possibility to play as we want but defensively we were really good.”
Ancelotti also reserved special praise for his skipper Seamus Coleman after the Irishman excelled in a personal duel with Sadio Mane while forming part of a backline that limited Liverpool to few genuine goalscoring chances.
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The Blues boss now wants his team to build on the point and keep moving up the Premier League table in their remaining eight matches of 2019/20.
“[Coleman played] really well, the derby is really special for him,” added Ancelotti. “He was strong and concentrated and a great example for the others.
“The others, their sacrifice and teamwork was really good.
“We have to win games, this is our goal, to try to have points and to win.
“The period before lockdown we played against top teams and didn’t win.
“Now it is time to win and try to climb the table.”
