Everton manager Ronald Koeman hails team performance after Man City victory
Sunday 15 January 2017 17:23, UK
Everton manager Ronald Koeman hailed his team's performance after they dispatched Man City in a 4-0 victory on Nissan Super Sunday.
The Toffees netted three goals during a fine second half after Romelu Lukaku had given the home side the lead in the 34th minute.
After the game, Koeman was full of praise for his side as they inflicted Pep Guardiola's heaviest-ever league defeat as a manager and he picked out a number of his players for their contributions.
"I think it was still difficult in the first half. We made some mistakes with our ball position and then they go fast in transitioning to attack," he told Sky Sports.
"Maybe we were lucky at that time not to go down in the score but at 1-0 up, the second half was outstanding in every aspect of football.
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"We were very good defensively with our team organisation, aggression and in the counter, we were perfect and it was a great team performance.
"City like to build up even when it’s difficult and we spoke about it to do high pressing and to make it difficult. If they kill the pressing, then you have to keep a good defensive shape and the team organisation was outstanding. We won second balls and what I mentioned before in the counter, we were really dangerous.
"Kevin Mirallas played well, Romelu Lukaku was strong and the support from the midfield was outstanding. We had some good substitutes today. James MCCarthy is back after his injury, Morgan Schneiderlin played his first minutes and Ademola Lookman scored the fourth goal that makes it even more special this afternoon."
Indeed, new signing Lookman was joined by fellow teenager and man of the match Tom Davies on the scoresheet, who scored his first Premier League goal for his boyhood club.
"He is doing really well," Koeman added of the 18-year-old. "He is that type of midfield player that we like because he is aggressive. Sometimes he is quiet on the ball, sometimes too quiet, but he is really comfortable and is playing like he has been playing for a long time in the first team. He is a great young player."
The Dutch manager has been vocal about his want for new players at Goodison Park, and is still on the lookout for further signings despite the impressive victory.
"We like to change and everybody knows that. There are a big expectations at Everton and after today, it is a really great performance and we need to enjoy that but it’s a project that started in July and will not finish today," Koeman said.
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