What The Papers Say - 22 February

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Reaction to Everton’s 2-0 Merseyside derby victory at Anfield features heavily across Monday’s local and national newspapers.

Carlo Ancelotti features in the Daily Mail, with the Blues manager insisting his team must use the victory as a springboard to achieve European qualification.

“I can understand the happiness [with the derby win],” he said. “We are really happy. Evertonians are really happy

“Our target is not [beating] Liverpool. Our target is to reach the European positions and be playing European football next season. This is the achievement.”

Michael Keane reiterates the Everton manager’s message in the Daily Star, explaining how the derby win shows the "big strides" the Blues have made under Ancelotti.

Keane also salutes Jordan Pickford’s “outstanding” display at Anfield.

"The save in the first half from Henderson, I thought that was a goal myself, he got across so quick," Keane said. "Another one was from Salah in the second half – that was an unbelievable save, so he's massively played his part [in the win].”

Keane, Pickford and Richarlison are named in Garth Crooks’ BBC Sport Team of the Week – with Keane earning special praise from the pundit.

"His recovery after Andrew Robertson squeezed a reverse pass through his legs for Sadio Mane was out of this world," writes Crooks. "This was an outstanding performance by Keane and a historic one for Everton."

Back to the Mail, and former England and Liverpool striker Peter Crouch highlights the three performers he believes were key to Everton’s success.

“So many players made that result possible — Jordan Pickford was outstanding in goal, I loved the way Seamus Coleman kept Andy Robertson in check and Mason Holgate was brilliant,” he said.

Colombian publication Marca Claro, meanwhile, features quotes from James Rodriguez, who has revealed how much he is enjoying life at Everton.

"I am happy, we all know it is a new stage for me," says James. “I am happy for every new thing that is added to my life. It all adds up.”