Ancelotti Sets Everton Target Following West Ham Reverse


Carlo Ancelotti is urging Everton to shake off the “frustration and disappointment” of losing to West Ham United by recovering their lost point when they resume Premier League action in 11 days.

The New Year’s Day game at Goodison Park seemed bound for a scoreless draw, which would have been enough for Everton to climb to third, until Tomas Soucek prodded in an 86th-minute winner.

Ancelotti’s side had won their previous four league games but, playing behind closed doors following three home matches in front of supporters, suffered a first defeat in six.

Everton remain four points off the top of the division. They host Rotherham United in an FA Cup third round tie next Saturday and play again in the league, at Wolverhampton Wanderers, three days later.

“It was not a good performance, we didn’t deserve to win, or lose,” said Ancelotti.

“The game was in the balance, then they had a lucky deflection.

“We are frustrated and disappointed.

“We lost one point and will try to get it back in the next game.

“The performance was not at the top [level], we had a lot of the ball but were not able to manage it as we wanted, with more quality speed and intensity in the final third.

"We were a little bit low, we didn’t find quality in the final third.

“This is why we didn’t have a lot of opportunities – and also because West Ham defended really well.

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02:01

HIGHLIGHTS: EVERTON 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED

Action from the New Year's Day game at Goodison Park.


“Like us, their defending was better than their attacking.

“It looked like a draw but we have to accept the result."

Everton would have drawn first blood but for a fine stop from Darren Randolph after Bernard controlled on his chest and volleyed goalwards shortly before half-time.

Jordan Pickford in Everton’s goal beat away an Aaron Cresswell free-kick but despite plenty of huff and puff neither team appeared likely to break through.

That was until Soucek hovered in the box after his original 86th-minute drive was repelled by Pickford.

Cresswell returned a shot which Soucek turned in at the far post.

There was good news for Everton in the form of James Rodriguez playing the final 26 minutes after four weeks out with a calf problem.

Everton, who had defeated Chelsea, Leicester City, Arsenal and Sheffield United in their four games before this fixture, remain in fourth position.

“The momentum was good, we had difficult games and a good run but it stopped today,” said Ancelotti.

“It will be important to keep our belief and confidence high.

“We have the possibility in the next eight days to have players in better condition, players who were not able to train in the past weeks, and look forward with belief.

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02:01

HIGHLIGHTS: EVERTON 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED

Action from the New Year's Day game at Goodison Park.


“We have players with quality who are not in their best condition, like James and Richarlison, who was coming back from a concussion [suffered against Manchester United nine days ago].

“Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] had a problem during the game and was not 100 percent.”

Everton had 60 percent of the ball against West Ham and 10 goal attempts – but only two on target.

The goal they conceded was only the second scored against Ancelotti’s team in five Premier League matches.

Ancelotti confirmed Michael Keane, who was an unused substitute, and Alex Iwobi, who sat out altogether, were missing due to fatigue and will both be available for the Rotherham fixture.

“In this moment, we are more comfortable defending and using the counter-attack,” added Ancelotti.

“When we have the ball we have more difficulties and we have to adjust this.

“We are in the position we want to be and I would like to be in that position at the end of the season.

"This defeat disappointed us but it doesn’t change our target.”