MATCH CENTRE

Ancelotti Anticipates Long-Term Everton Supporter Boost

Carlo Ancelotti is anticipating a transformed Everton at Goodison Park next season after returning supporters inspired a hard-won victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

The Everton manager, nonetheless, remains focused on unfinished business this term.

His team will go to Manchester City on Sunday still very much part of the European qualification equation.

Ancelotti has predicted all season the scrap to play in continental competition next term would go down to the wire.

And Richarlison’s 48th-minute goal, coupled with an energetic and disciplined team performance, ensured the Italian was proved correct.

Everton are level on points with seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur, defeated 2-1 by Aston Villa in their final home game.

Ancelotti’s team have won all three home Premier League games played in front of fans this season, the latest watched by 6,5000 Evertonians who saw their side deliver an immediate response to Sunday’s loss to Sheffield United.

“It was much better, a better attitude and we wanted to win,” said Ancelotti.

“We suffered, it was an open game, but important for us to stay in the battle.

“With the supporters in the stadiums, we have three victories in three games.

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01:41

COLEMAN: WOLVES WIN 'FOR THE FANS'

Skipper reacts after hard-fought victory in front of 6,500 Evertonians.


“They make a huge difference to the atmosphere and to the motivation for the players.

“I hope the new signing in the transfer market will be the supporters in the stadium. They will make a huge difference next season.

"In the history of the Club our supporters make the difference… it was nice to see them and a totally different atmosphere."


Richarlison headed his seventh Premier League goal of the season after leaping to meet a Gylfi Sigurdsson corner when the second half was three minutes old.

Everton had further opportunities on the counter-attack, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin foiled by goalkeeper John Ruddy and Wolves defender Conor Coady deflecting a Seamus Coleman effort off target.

Wolves were denied by a trio of fine Jordan Pickford stops in the opening 45 minutes.

The Everton keeper was at full stretch to push round a Morgan Gibbs-White volley and turned over rising strikes from Adama Traore and Fabio Silva.

“They played with a number 10 and our midfielders were a little bit worried about that position [in the first half],” said Ancelotti.

“We tried to adjust something at half-time.

“We scored on the on set-piece and had opportunities on the counter-attack.

“And we defended really well… the strength of this team is the defence we have, to be honest.”

Everton visit runaway Premier League champions City aiming for their 12th and, arguably, most impressive away win of the season.

Ancelotti’s team are eighth but if they leap over Spurs would compete in the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2021/22.

A two-position climb would secure Europa League football.

“We are in the fight, the next game might be the most difficult of the season, but it was important to stay there,” said Ancelotti.

“Nothing is impossible, it is really difficult, really complicated, we are playing maybe the best team in Europe.

“But we have to try.

“If we qualify for Europe, it will be a fantastic season, if we don’t qualify it will be a good season.”