Holgate opens his account to help Toffees sink Watford
players, and they came back.
“For example, I was speaking with Hector Bellerin and he said to me that he received some criticism three years ago at Emirates Stadium in one moment because people weren’t happy with his performance and then he came back.
“The most important is to keep moving ahead, working, improving and showing and transmitting to people that if one moment they don’t like him, to work to change that situation.
“I don’t know today how it will be in the future, the most important for me is the present.”
The present for Xhaka is being left at home for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Liverpool, although Emery was adamant that decision had been made before Sunday’s flashpoint. EVERTON advanced into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup as goals from Mason Holgate and Richarlison secured a 2-0 victory over Watford at Goodison Park.
Holgate headed home what was his first goal for the Toffees in the 72nd minute, and ex-Hornets man Richarlison fired past Heurelho Gomes in stoppage time.
After a first half low on entertainment, the Merseysiders went close three times before breaking the deadlock, with Andre Gomes having a shot cleared off the line and efforts from Alex Iwobi and Lucas Digne hit the woodwork.
After a dire first period, Everton signalled their attacking intent in the second when Michael Keane saw his bouncing header dealt with by Heurelho Gomes in the 61st minute, and Gomes then saw his shot go past the goalkeeper, only for Adrian Mariappa to clear off the line.
Soon after, Silva’s men hit the woodwork twice in quick succession, Iwobi’s strike hitting the corner of the goalframe and Digne’s free-kick then deflecting against the bar.
And the increased pressure then paid off moments later as Holgate headed Everton in front, converting from Walcott’s cross.
Richarlison wrapped things up at the end as he burst into the box and cracked an emphatic effort beyond Heurelho Gomes.