O’Brien On Why Blues Are Strong Enough For Quick Bounce Back

Jake O’Brien insists Everton are working hard to “put things right” for their historic first competitive match at Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend.

A late penalty for Leeds United was enough to settle the Blues' Premier League opener at Leeds United on Monday night – a spot-kick awarded controversially when James Tarkowski was deemed to have committed handball in the penalty area.  

O’Brien told evertontv after the game that despite what he believes to be an incorrect call, his team needed to be better. And Sunday provides a perfect platform at the Club's new world-class waterfront home.

“I think the penalty was very harsh,” said the defender. “There's no way he can put his arm in. It's a natural position. He went to block the ball. They took five minutes to look at it and they still couldn't see that. 

“Besides this, I think we weren't at it. We weren't where we should be, we weren't sharp enough on the ball or off the ball. I think we just need to go back in training, look at ourselves and go again.”

David Moyes’ team enjoyed an excellent finish to last season, winning eight Premier League games from late February onwards, including victories in each of their final three outings. 

O’Brien – a summer signing from Lyon in 2024 – says the Toffees have enough quality to rediscover that form, explaining: “We have a strong group, a strong core, and I think we've got to come to places like [Elland Road] and come away with three points. So it's very disappointing, so early on in the season that we haven't picked up points today.

“I think we have a strong enough group to go out there and get results. And I think [at Leeds], we weren't sharp enough, and we weren't at the standards that we can be.  

“We know this. We said we need to look at ourselves, go back to training and just come back and make things right next week.”

Next up, it’s a historic fixture for the Club. Everton take on Brighton and Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday (2pm BST) in the first competitive game to be hosted at the Blues’ new ground.  

O’Brien acknowledges the need for his side to bounce back and improve their performance levels for the big game, adding: “We're going to go back and put things right come the weekend and make sure we come away with a result. 

“I think we just need to go back, get the fans back on our side and know that we're good enough to come and get results. We need to do it early on in the season and not wait too long.”