FINANCIAL FLARE PLAY
Toffees keeper Joao says injustice of second charge is giving angry Everton a real edge on the pitch
BY
EVERTON stand-in keeper Joao Virginia believes the Toffees’ sticky situation with the Premier League has given them an extra edge on the pitch.
The Blues were hit with a second charge for breaching the League’s financial rules after being earlier docked 10 points for the same offence.
Now, with the threat of another points deduction, Everton’s players continue to fight on the pitch while their lawyers battle off it.
Virginia believes that was evident in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday (Andre Gomes celebrates his winner, right) as Sean Dyche’s side edged into the FA Cup fourth round after the replay.
“The manager said for us to concentrate on what we can do on the pitch and keep the group together,” said Virginia, who started ahead of Jordan Pickford as Dyche rotated his keepers.
“Obviously, it gives us an edge to go out there and go against it. But the group is strong and that’s the main thing.
“I try to keep my mind on training and what happens around me. That (the points deduction) is not my department so I just keep on working and playing on the pitch.”
Everton reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup but fell short in that competition.
Now they hope the FA Cup can offer a reprieve from their relegation battle and struggles with the books.
Virginia, who spent last season on loan at Dutch side Cambuur and the previous one at Sporting Lisbon, is hoping to get more match action in the cup ahead of a fourth-round tie with Luton this month.
“At the end of the season, the club came to me and we sat together to make a decision on my future,” said the Portuguese keeper. “They gave me the opportunity to be the No.2 here at Everton.
“For me, it was a step up because I’ve been away for two years, and when I was here three years ago, I was the No.3 – so it was a great opportunity for me.
“I hoped to get some game time and it’s turning out to be a great decision. I’m hoping to play the cup games but you never know and you just have to be ready.”
The second-choice keeper certainly impressed against Palace, with a big save late on to deny Jeffrey Schlupp an equaliser which would have forced extra-time.
“I have to keep on going and train well and hopefully the manager will give me another chance for the next game,” the 24-year-old added.