Everton on the double with Premier League monthly awards
EVERTON manager Carlo Ancelotti was named Premier League Manager of the Month for September and said their strong start to the season can be the ideal launch pad to push for a European spot.
Ancelotti’s side have set the early pace with wins over Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace last month, before they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday to maintain their perfect start.
“The key was the first match at Tottenham. That victory increased our confidence. We worked well in the transfer market. We signed players we need … they’ve adapted really fast,” the Italian coach said in a Premier League statement.
“Our target is to reach Europe next season and to stay at the top for as long as possible … We’ve started really well and we hope to continue it and to win this award again.”
It is the fifth time the 61-year-old has claimed the prize, with his four previous awards coming during his time at Chelsea.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-lewin, 23, won the Player of the Month prize for September, marking the first time the club have claimed both awards since Phil Jagielka and manager David Moyes did so in February 2009.
Calvert-lewin, who scored on his England debut in Thursday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley, netted five league goals last month.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s goalkeeping problems worsened when Edouard Mendy sustained a right thigh injury during a training session with Senegal this week, the club said yesterday.
Mendy, who joined the London club from French club Stade Rennes last month, has returned to London and will undergo further tests.
Senegal played Morocco yesterday.
“The Senegalese Football Federation has announced the withdrawal from their squad of Edouard Mendy due to injury,” Chelsea said in a statement on their website.
“The goalkeeper … had a medical examination in a hospital in Rabat … Mendy has since returned to Chelsea where he will undergo further examinations.”
The 28-year-old, brought in to boost Chelsea’s goalkeeping options with Spain’s Kepa Arrizabalaga suffering a dip in form since last season, kept a clean sheet in his first league start as Frank Lampard’s side beat Crystal Palace 4-0 last Saturday.
Chelsea next host Southampton on October 17 after the international break.
| Reuters