Everton combine spirit with touch of class to fire up Ancelotti’s revival
There could be no more fitting metaphor for Everton under Carlo Ancelotti than the curious tale of Djibril Sidibe and his kit; not quite the finished article, but even the mistakes can be swiftly rectified nowadays.
To explain: it was 25 minutes into the victory over Crystal Palace when Sidibe was ushered towards the fourth official to replace Theo Walcott, unlucky to see his afternoon cut short through injury having just created Bernard’s wonderful opening goal.
Sidibe was primed as he received the usual briefing about who to mark from set-pieces, when it became apparent an essential detail had been overlooked.
Bending over to pull up his socks, Sidibe realised he was one short, his left shin pad clearly on display. A hasty retreat to the dressing room followed so he could return fully outfitted.
“It was a new experience for me. Also for him, I think,” said Ancelotti, a post-match smile having replaced the scowl in the immediate aftermath.
Everton had to play with 10 men for a minute more than necessary. Fortunately for them, there was no lasting damage other than to Sidibe’s pride.
The same could be said for Jordan Pickford, who enabled Palace striker Christian Benteke to show he remains more clinical against Merseyside clubs than he ever was when playing for one, England’s keeper beaten with a tame shot after 50 minutes.
Such reversals tended to make Everton wilt in previous seasons. Instead, Richarlison led the response to give the impression of a comfortable win – three points earned through spirit as much as the South American’s skill – when, by Ancelotti’s admission, it was far from that. “We played better against Newcastle,” he said. “But I would prefer to win than have a good performance and lose.”
Winning by different means is a healthy habit previous managers failed to master. This victory means the Ital- ian has collected more points in his first eight games than his predecessor managed in the previous 14.
Since Marco Silva’s dismissal, Everton sit second in the Premier League form table, which is testimony to the work of assistant manager Duncan Ferguson and Ancelotti. “We can dream of fighting for the Europa League. We are improving and we have the quality to fight,” the Italian said.
To even speak of this genuine aspiration is some achievement, given Everton were in the bottom three when Silva left and plenty queried the wisdom of turning to Ancelotti, a coach accustomed to world-class players pursuing domestic titles and the Champions League. Leading this side into Europe would not rank as his greatest achievement but it would at least make those claiming he is a coach for readymade than developing players shuffle quietly into a darkened corner.
Ancelotti was diplomatic when asked how challenging it was for him working with a squad lacking the pedigree of his previous clubs. “If there are top players, it is better because you can win easily but I can say here we have top players,” Ancelotti insisted.
“Richarlison is a top player. Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I don’t know if he is a top player now but he can be one. We have a lot of young ones who can be top players. I enjoy coaching this group.”
Everton are benefiting from sporadic moments of class rather than the consistency Ancelotti will strive for in 90-minute performances.
Bernard’s goal after 18 minutes was as good as any at Goodison this season with its execution and creation. Walcott scampered down the right touchline and struck a cross that demanded a forward’s attention. The Brazilian provided that and more with a first-time volley past Vicente Guaita.
Walcott’s injury was disruptive. Ancelotti already knows better than to look forward to a comfortable afternoon, regardless of the platform of an early goal. The manner in which the home side took a mid-game nap to enable Crystal Palace to dominate the start of the second half indicated where work is still required.
Allowing Benteke’s goal was especially careless. Found by Wilfried Zaha, Benteke hit a lame shot, yet it squirmed under Pickford. The keeper would make amends with a superb reflex save from Benteke’s header 10 minutes later.
By then, Everton had reawakened and were back in front. Richarlison tends to provide at least one moment of individual brilliance per match. There were two here to secure the points, firstly ending a powerful run with a composed finish into the bottom corner, and then with a late header struck against the bar. Calvert-Lewin tapped in, and although there was an anxious murmur when three minutes of injury time were announced, Palace could not mimic Newcastle in the last Goodison fixtures by finding two goals.
Roy Hodgson, with more than a hint of overestimation, offered a positive appraisal of his Palace side’s display, although he acknowledged the lack of cutting edge. “Of course. Still, our goal difference is a lot better than many of the teams around us,” Hodgson said. “You have seen the amount of opportunities. If we can continue to do that, I am sure the goals will come.
“I thought we played well for large parts of the game. Not at the start, but neither did they. When we got the equaliser, it was a fair reflection.”
Everton are now seventh, studying the league table and readying their passports for possible European participation. Palace may be looking over their shoulder, Hodgson’s men being the ones leaving Goodison needing to pull their socks up.