Carlo Ancelotti insists Everton are STILL in the hunt for Champions League football despite goalless draw at Brighton… but boss admits finishing in a European place is now ‘difficult’
- Carlo Ancelotti insists Everton are still in the fight for a place in Europe
- The Toffees failed to beat Brighton in their Monday night clash at the Amex
- Everton registered only one shot in target as they struggled going forward
- Ancelotti says the task to achieve a European place has become ‘more difficult’
Carlo Ancelotti insists Everton are still in the fight for a place in Europe despite letting two points slip in a goalless draw at Brighton.
The Toffees felt the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front and managed just one shot on target during the game, which came in the 71st minute.
The result leaves Everton eighth, four points behind sixth-placed Liverpool and seven behind West Ham in fourth.
A frustrated Carlo Ancelotti watched on inside the AMEX as Everton drew 0-0 with Brighton
‘Of course, it’s more difficult now, the five, but it is a point,’ Ancelotti admitted after the match.
‘It is a point which through good team spirit, although of course with the ball we could do better, we had difficulties to build up from the back, we missed a lot of passes.
‘We were not able to reach our strikers with efficiency.
‘I think that we are still in the fight but like I said it is more difficult. But now in the next eight games that we have to play, there’s a lot to play (for) and teams really close to us and the fight with us, we are still there.
Robin Olsen dives as a Brighton shot sails over his bare during Monday night’s stalemate
‘Of course it is a difficult moment because we have a lot of players out but I hope to recover some players for Friday and fight against Tottenham.’
With an already injury-hit squad, it was another blow for Ancelotti when Yerry Mina was forced off just before the hour mark.
‘Yerry Mina had a muscle problem on his abductor and he will not be available for a few weeks I think,’ the Toffees boss said, also confirming that midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin will not feature again this season.
Captain Seamus Coleman admits if Everton miss out on European football it will be their home form they will come to rue and not draws at places like Brighton.
‘It’s a point away from home. Obviously we wanted to win the game but Brighton are a very good side and they made it difficult for us,’ the Republic of Ireland international told Sky Sports.
Graham Potter bumps fists with Ancelotti after his side earned a point towards survival
‘Our disappointment comes from maybe not picking up three points against Palace (last Monday) as you could argue this is a good point away from home.
‘We don’t want to be harping on about injuries – there are plenty of other teams doing that – it’s part of a Premier League season. Injuries happen and unfortunately we’ve lost a few players.
‘This is no disrespect but against your Fulhams and Newcastles at home (games which Everton lost) that’s where our disappointment comes.