Garner’s Confidence In Blues’ Return To Form After Cup Exit

James Garner says he’s “more than certain” Everton can bounce back from Tuesday night’s disappointing Carabao Cup defeat at Wolves – a game in which the Blues produced an under-par first-half display, according to the midfielder.

Wolves had taken the lead on 29 minutes through Marshall Munetsi, before doubling their advantage with just three minutes of the 90 remaining.

The result sees Everton – having made seven changes to the side from the weekend’s Merseyside derby – exit the Carabao Cup in the third round.

“We weren't at the levels we've shown at the start of the season, especially the first half,” Garner told evertontv. “The first half was not a first half we'd like to remember. Both goals were goals that we could have easily avoided. 

“We just weren’t at the races tonight. I think when we brought the subs on, we were a much better team, and we looked like we could maybe go on and get something out of the game.  

“But then, obviously, the second goal goes in and then the game's kind of closed from there. But, yes, I know we need to do better.”

Everton looked like the team in the ascendancy after half-time following a host of substitutions from David Moyes.

A front four of Beto, Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish were all introduced before the hour mark, and the Blues appeared to be on top.

But Wolves netted a second against the run of play – a move which saw a late challenge on Garner, as he explains: “Their second goal was a foul on me. He's literally stood on my kneecap. 

“I'm not going to go down that easy, but the referee’s mentioned something about it. We were chasing the game and then they go and get the second, so it is tough.

“The fact we were so on top in the second half, and like I said, we could have nicked a goal or nicked two goals, gone on to the next round, but I think it all started from the first half.  

“We weren't good enough; we allowed them to get into their flow and that should have been us.”

A bright spark in midfield for the Toffees, it’s been a positive season so far for Garner. 

The versatile 24-year-old has been a consistent performer for Moyes’ side, often being called upon to play at left-back as well as his more familiar central-midfield role.

“I think I played alright tonight,” he explained. “I still need to keep on improving, keep on doing better. I need to start scoring more, I need to start creating more, as well.  

“There's always room for improvement. There's a lot of positives to take, but we just need to put this behind us now and focus on the league, and that's the most important game.” 

Everton have to wait until Monday until their next match, when the Blues welcome West Ham United to Hill Dickinson Stadium in an 8pm (BST) kick-off. 

Garner is confident the team can bounce back with victory over the Hammers, adding: “We've got to put this under the carpet as fast as we can because, like I said, tonight we weren't quite at the races. 

“I'm more than certain that we're going to be there on Monday night against West Ham and put on a good performance and ultimately come away with three points.”