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Everton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 26
Mar 1, 2021 at 8pm UK
Goodison Park
Southampton logo

Everton
1 - 0
Southampton

FT(HT: 1-0)

Armstrong (77'), Tella (80')

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti prepared for "big fight" in top-four race

The Goodison club are two points off the Champions League places after beating Southampton.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti believes getting into the top four this week could be psychologically important for his players.

The 1-0 win over Southampton, courtesy of Richarlison's third league goal in as many games inside the first 10 minutes, moved his side within two points of fourth-placed West Ham with a match in hand.

They could go move above the Hammers on Thursday with a win at struggling West Brom, with rivals Liverpool hosting Chelsea at Anfield later in the evening.

"I think we have a great opportunity for one day, two days, three days, to be in the top four and we would like to touch the position," said Ancelotti.

"We have to put all our thoughts for the game on Thursday to try to be there. I don't know how long (but) it is how we feel when we are there.

"I think it is an opportunity to be there, we can win and be in the top four.

"I think there will be a big fight until the end of the season, until the last game and we have to be pleased we can fight for that position – but this doesn't change our target and that is to be in Europe next season."

Richarlison has now scored five goals in as many games in all competitions after being told by Ancelotti he had to work harder.

His manager does not believe his current run should be seen as anything special though.

"He has answered my call, this is true," he added.

"What can I say, Richarlison is not doing something extraordinary, in my opinion he is doing his job.

"He is a player with this kind of quality. I hope and I am sure he is going to continue."

Richarlison celebrates his goal for Everton
Richarlison has now scored five goals in as many games in all competitions (Peter Byrne/PA)

Conversely Southampton have a problem up front, having scored five goals in nine matches and have taken just one point since beating Liverpool in mid-January.

"We have not the best decisions in the final third," said boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

"Ingsy (Danny Ings) is still a bit short of freshness and we miss his goals definitely. He is the guy who gives us the lead.

"The first goal chance for them was a goal: long ball, losing the header against (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin and then Richarlison with a deep run which is hard to defend.

"For chances that was it for Everton and we had a few in the second half but at the moment we don't find the back of the net.

"You saw a team fighting in the second half but we are missing the final punch in the final third.

"When you don't score and concede one goal you lose games. This is the run we are on and we have to do something to stop it."

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Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl pictured in February 2021
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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