Everton head coach Carlo Ancelotti bemoaned his side’s “very poor” defending after they went down to a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Having taken the lead in the first minute through Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s spectacular strike, the Toffees were pegged back to 2-1 through goals from Eddie Nketiah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Despite Richarlison equalising right before half time, Everton were undone again immediately after the restart when Aubameyang headed home the eventual winner.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Ancelotti admitted that while his side were impressive going forward, they lacked the same qualities at the back.
“A good performance offensively. We had lots of opportunities but defensively very poor,” the Italian said. “It is not acceptable to concede three goals like this. To concede three goals like this, you usually you lose the game.
“The point was there [to be taken], we were able to equalise at the end of the first half and we knew that they could lose a bit of energy.
“They lost energy and we had opportunities but they key point was that we conceded three goals too easily.
“We played really well, with two fantastic forwards, the full-backs pushing and in the second half there was more space.
“The team improved with a lot more possession. It was good offensively but defensively, no.”
The result left Everton in 11th in the Premier League but they remain only five points off fifth-placed Manchester United.
“We are going in the right direction but you have to learn. The fact we were not focused defensively means we go home without points.”
Midfielder Andre Gomes made an amazing return to action following the horrific injury he suffered at the back end of last year.
“I’ve seen Andre Gomes in training – he trained without any problems. He will start the next game,” Ancelotti said.
The Toffees’ next game sees them face Manchester United at Goodison Park, having taken a point from Old Trafford earlier in the season.
The post Ancelotti rues woeful Everton defending as he hails Gomes comeback appeared first on teamtalk.com.
