Players leading from the front pleases boss Rafa
Rafael Benitez has praised Everton’s attacking players for stepping up in the absence of key duo, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
Both have been missing for more than a month through injury and will again be on the sidelines when the Toffees take on West Ham today.
Last month’s 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa is the only game so far this season in which Everton have failed to score, with Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure among those making their presence felt in front of goal.
Benitez said: “I think it’s important to realise for the players that the team has to score goals, not just one player. If you rely on just one player, it’s even easier for the opponents to stop you.
“So I think it’s important for us to have different players scoring goals, different options, different possibilities and different ways to do it. I’m happy with that because a lot of players are attacking, creating something in attack and scoring goals.”
Everton have also shown resilience, coming from behind to secure points in three league matches this season, including the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last time out.
“I’m disappointed that we conceded first but the reaction of the team was quite good and that shows that the mentality, the character of the team is there,” said Benitez.
“It’s something you can think as a positive for the rest of the season.”
West Ham manager David Moyes wants his side to challenge the top four and believes Benitez is aiming to do the same.
“I’m hoping I can challenge the top four and maybe catch one, maybe topple one. That’s what I want to do. That’s what I’ve let the players know in terms of where I’m aiming,” Moyes said.
“I can only speak for Everton as their ex-manager. I can’t speak for Rafa.
“But Everton is a big club, with big traditions and they’ve challenged the top four, certainly in my time there.
“It was really difficult to break in, but we did it on one occasion.
“So I think Rafa might be thinking the exact same as I did at the time, he may be thinking even more.”
Everton have parted company with womens’ boss, Willie Kirk.
The Scot was appointed manager in December 2018 and guided Everton to the 2020 FA Cup Final, where they were beaten 3-1 by Manchester City.
Kirk oversaw sixth and fifth-placed finishes in the Women’s Super League during his two full seasons in charge on Merseyside.
Everton are currently eighth in the WSL.