Everton Exclusive: Campbell backs up Carragher’s Merseyside derby MOTM shout
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell has hailed Carlo Ancelotti’s game management as Everton secured a first win at Anfield for 22 years last weekend.
In the aftermath of the historic result, Jamie Carragher suggested that Ancelotti should be given the man of the match award for his approach to the game.
Campbell has recognised The Professor’s impact but also stressed the players have to take a lot of the credit as they were the ones who saw Ancelotti’s plan come to fruition.
“The players have to go across to that white line after the game to the manager,” Campbell told Goodison News.
“The manager sets them up and gives them the game plan but it’s the players who ultimately have to go out and perform.
“I thought Everton performed well and got their noses in front which was massive. Once you get your nose in from then you can soak up a bit of pressure like they did.
“If you’re going to get anything at Anfield you have to defend well. Ancelotti made substitutions and the right time and brought on players who can hurt Liverpool on the break.”
Everything went right for us at Anfield last weekend.
The management was spot on, the players were excellent and Liverpool decided to continue their awful personal form.
Ancelotti always deserves credit when we win but he has rarely come in for exceptional praise this season.
He was lauded when we beat Wolves with a new system and much-changed squad and we have seen a similar sentiment this week.
The decision to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench was nothing short of a masterstroke.
His replacement Richarlison opened the scoring before he came on and won us the penalty that secured us the win.
No other player would’ve made that run and if DCL had started he wouldn’t have been fit enough to get on the end of that through ball in the late stages of the game.
It was a perfect result and every member of the squad and staff deserve praise.
In other Everton news, Southampton have been handed a double injury blow ahead of their game against us.