Alex Iwobi says Everton will go to Manchester United on Saturday buoyed by victories over top-six rivals – and the belief manager Carlo Ancelotti’s team boast live goal threats all over the field.
Forward Iwobi has featured in all but two of Everton’s Premier League games this season.
He was a fixture during a four-match winning run in December which included victories over Chelsea and Leicester City.
The 24-year-old played 87 minutes on Wednesday as Everton defeated Leeds United 2-1, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – heading his 16th goal in all competitions this term – on target.
Everton begin the weekend seventh in the Premier League. They are eight points behind United in second but with two games in hand on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
“We believe we are able to do well against Manchester United,” said Iwobi.
“We were able to do it against Chelsea and Leicester, teams competing for the top four, so we will have the confidence and motivation to go and do it again.
“To get a result away against a team like Leeds was a great three points, too.
“Leeds cover a lot of distance, they are always on the move and come with a lot of energy.
“We knew we had to be ready for the fight and compete athletically."
Iwobi added: "We all appreciate what Dom does, even when he doesn’t score a goal.
“He works so hard for the team, he is able to hold up the ball and give us a breather if we are under pressure.
“For him to get a goal is an added bonus.
“Off the pitch, when training is done, a couple of players do extra finishing with [Assistant Manager] Duncan Ferguson – Dom is always pestering him, saying, ‘Can I work on this, or can someone put some some crosses in for me.
“He is always ready to do extras and it shows on the pitch.”
Iwobi has played 51 games – starting 37 – and scored four goals since Everton bought the Nigerian international from Arsenal in August 2019.
He has two goals and three assists this season and was most recently on target when opening the scoring in last month’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That success in the Black Country, coupled with the win at Leeds three days ago, kept Everton in the frame for European qualification since the turn of the year.
“We have very high ambitions and, hopefully, will finish in the Europa League or Champions League spots,” said Iwobi.
“The Champions League is the biggest platform for any club and we believe with the players we have we are capable of getting there.
“We’re not too far off it and are optimistic but we are taking it game by game.
“As long as I am able to help the team win, that is the main goal for me.
“I have done okay this season, whenever I have been called on to do a job I have given 100 per cent.
“The team getting the result is my main concern.
“As an attacking player, I’d like to have more goal contributions – but if the team gets goals, without me playing the pass or getting the goal, it is a win for me.”
Iwobi is one of 10 different Premier League scorers for Everton this season.
Calvert-Lewin leads the way with 12, while five other players have struck more than once.
“We know we have the ability to get goals, it is not just Dom,” added Iwobi.
“It can be Richarlison, James, Gylfi.
“We are believing anyone can get a goal.
“But for Dom to have such good stats is a big bonus because we know we will always have that attacking threat.”
