Ancelotti eyes are on Europe after Everton beat the odds

It had been more than two years since Everton had won a Premier League game after conceding the first goal.

At Vicarage Road, they had plenty of reasons to buckle. Outplayed in the first half, Carlo Ancelotti saw his side go two goals behind as he prepared for his half-time input.

Then, in a remarkable three minutes, Colombian central defender Yerry Mina scored twice from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corners to leave things level at the break.

Leaving Hertfordshire with a point still looked unlikely when Fabian Delph was harshly shown a second yellow card with 20 minutes remaining for a foul on Etienne Capoue. But under former Napoli manager Ancelotti, Everton seem to have developed a newfound belief and they completed the remarkable turnaround with Theo Walcott’s winner in the 90th minute.

“This is a good sign that in this moment, things are going well,” Ancelotti said. “To get in the Europa League for next season would be important.” Everton are just three points off fifth.

This may prove a damaging afternoon for Nigel Pearson, whose team are two points from safety having lost three games in succession. “Exceptionally disappointing,” he said. “It’s never an easy journey when you’re in a relegation battle and we’ve worked exceptionally hard to get back in contact.”

Adam Masina scored his first goal for Watford after a superb move in which Gerard Deulofeu picked out his run and the left-back finished into the far corner.

Roberto Pereyra doubled the lead after poor defending from Delph allowed Troy Deeney to steal possession and find Pereyra on the edge of the area.

Then came the implosion. Mina’s first was scrappy as he eventually lashed the ball over the line.

His second was more straightforward and caused by Craig Cathcart’s failure to mark him allowing the defender to head home from close range.

There was more caution in the second half and few clear chances before Delph’s dismissal, with the midfielder appearing to get something of the ball as he challenged Capoue.

Former Watford player Richarlison’s searing pace led to Everton’s winner as he slid the ball across to Moise Kean, who missed it before Walcott pounced at the far post to send the Everton coaching staff, minus Ancelotti, racing down the touchline. “If I run, I am dead,” he joked. “I have to stay calm.”