Ross can boss it for Southgate
EVERTON boss Ronald Koeman believes that midfielder Ross Barkley’s England career will be reignited with a Three Lions call-up this week.
Barkley has been in international exile since Euro 2016 where he failed to shine. But England boss Gareth Southgate was at Goodison Park yesterday as Barkley sparkled in the 3-0 win over WEST BROM.
A delighted Koeman said: “If he is judged on this performance he will be selected. Everyone knows Ross had a difficult time at the start of the season but he is improving. He is a fantastic player and against West Brom was outstanding.”
Koeman is also looking at Europa League qualification which could come through a seventh-place finish. He said: “Next season we will try to finish in the top four but of course I would love us to be in the Europa League this time.”
BOURNEMOUTH boss Eddie Howe claimed his side’s first win since December had been inspired by anger over the FA’s suspension of Tyrone Mings.
A Joshua King hat-trick in the 3-2 win over WEST HAM meant they shook off the absence of Mings, starting a five-game ban for stamping on Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Howe said: “It was good to win for Tyrone, who we think has been harshly treated. I was delighted with the attitude and application that the players showed.”
Bournemouth even missed two penalties, King putting the first of them wide and then handing the job to Benik Afobe whose effort was saved.
Both managers blasted the KCOM Stadium pitch after HULL sealed a crucial 2-1 win over relegation rivals SWANSEA.
Oumar Niasse’s double sealed the points but the surface was poor – less than 24 hours after Hull FC beat St Helens on it in a Super League encounter.
“On Friday they play rugby, the next day we play at home. For me it’s impossible at this level and I’ve told the board,” said Tigers boss Marco Silva.
Paul Clement, whose Swans are now just two points above Hull, added: “It’s not a good pitch, that’s for sure. It’s not the reason we lost but it’s not right when you have a game the night before, never mind a rugby league game.“