Koeman looks on the bright side as Rooney rescues a late point
RONALD Koeman insisted that he said “aggression” and “commitment” from his Everton players even after they drew 1-1 at Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday. Everton were saved by Wayne Rooney’s last-minute penalty kick, earning them a point which moves them further away from the relegation zone.
Despite a poor performance from Everton for much of the game, Koeman was determined to take the positives as he looks for anything to turn their underwhelming season around. Everton host Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night before welcoming Arsenal to Goodison Park on Sunday in a crucial Premier League match.
“I take several good positives out of today,” Koeman said. “First of all the aggression, the commitment of the players. That is always what you need to show from the beginning. We know we can play a little bit better. The players stuck with the belief to go for that goal. I am really proud.”
Koeman held out hope that this point would spark a transformation in Everton’s season which is already in danger of petering out. “The players showed commitment,” Koeman said. “If there is no commitment by one player it is my job to bring in other players, but they work so hard every day to get it right. You need to fight and play well. Let’s hope that point today gives the boys confidence and calmness to play and be more comfortable at the start of the game.”
Koeman also hailed the “world class” nerve of Wayne Rooney to convert his last-minute penalty kick with everything on the line. “Taking penalties is not the most difficult job but at this moment it’s totally different,” he said. “It’s 1-0 down in a difficult situation and the team needs points. If you keep your calmness in these types of situations that is experience and world class.”
Chris Hughton said that it felt more like a defeat for his team to lose two points in the last minute.” We are disappointed of course,” he said. “So fresh after the game at this moment it feels more like a defeat than a draw. On the balance of play I thought we would’ve deserved to win. . Overall some pleasing aspects, but the overriding one when you’re 1-0 up against good opposition it’s disappointing when you don’t win.”
Hughton was also disappointed that Brighton did not get a penalty of their own when Lewis Dunk’s shot hit Michael Keane’s arm in the first half.
“I certainly think with the handball that some would’ve given it,” he said. “It was a shot that was certainly goal-bound. It’s hit his thigh and gone up on his arm. The ball has hit his hand and I think there are definitely some referees that would’ve given it because of the nature of the chance.”