RAFA: WE HAVE TO BE UNITED

RAFA BENITEZ says Everton have to stick together if they are to pull out of their Premier League tailspin.

The Toffees boss is feeling the heat after an eight-game winless run.

But it was the Goodison hierarchy who took most of the stick after the 4-1 Mersey derby defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is set to be in the stands for Monday’s clash with Arsenal at Goodison Park. And Benitez (above) has called for unity as the Blues fight to turn their season around. He said: “Now is a time we have to stick together and go to January in the best position that we can. We’re working really hard and you can’t complain about that.

“You can complain about mistakes, our quality, decisions – things like that. But not about commitment.

“It’s a frustrating time for us but we have to keep going and work really hard. I have experience in situations like this, fighting for titles and trying to avoid relegation.

“My experience is telling me to stay calm, to keep working hard, to try to correct the mistakes – and then to stick together.

“That is really important. If we appreciate that we need to stick together, that’s crucial.”

Everton will have to fight to get out of their nightmare run which has seen them pick up just two points from a possible 24.

But former Liverpool manager Benitez refused to point the finger of blame at the board after the fans hit out at them. He said: “I don’t want to blame anyone, any individual. We win or we lose as a group.”

Star striker Dominic Calvert-lewin is out for at least another two weeks as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.