Carlo Ancelotti praises Everton for ‘good change’ after wins against Wolves put them into the top four despite the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Carlo Ancelotti praised Everton for adapting well as they beat the Wolves 2-1
- Alex Iwobi and Michael Keane stopped when Everton won a move into the top four
- Everton handled well without Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Molineux
Boss Carlo Ancelotti praised Everton’s flexibility after Wolves ’Toffees win continued with the Champions League challenge.
Leader Michael Keane scored in the second half a 2-1 win at Molineux to place the visitors in fourth place in the Premier League.
Alex Iwobi’s first Premier League goal since September 2019 was postponed by Ruben Neves earlier.
Carlo Ancelotti praised Everton’s flexibility after their 2-1 away win over Wolves
It was his fifth win in six high-flying games for Everton and came without 14-goal lead scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin, out with a hamstring issue, to leave Ancelotti happy with their response.
He said: ‘The players made a really good change. The situation of James Rodriguez and Gylfi Sigurdsson created problems for them. We made a big change in the qualities of our players and at the back we were focused. The four backs were excellent.
‘We had a different approach without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. We played more to attack the sidelines with Iwobi and (Lucas) Digne and it worked well as the first goal was a great mix.
Michael Keane (center) stopped when Everton beat Wolves to move into the top four
Everton were able to beat Wolves despite the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
‘Without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin it’s harder to score but I think focusing defensively has enabled us to have a good game.’
The Wolves have won just once in eight league games since November.
And boss Buno Nuno Espirito Santo said: ‘I’m very worried (about the form). It is something we know we need to improve but at the same time be aware of what is happening and what we need to do for the future.
‘We played a good game, there weren’t too many chances for both teams in the second half. It was a game that was decided on set pieces, we’re sorry and on details games get away from us.
Everton defended well, were tight and organized and made our job difficult but in the second half we should have done better. We need every player in the squad healthy so we can make progress.
We have a strong team spirit that needs, in less good times, more unity. Soon we’ll be better. ‘