Everton vice-captain Seamus Coleman has said that the players are responding to the demands of manager Marco Silva as the season comes to a conclusion. The Merseyside giants suffered a string of average results at the beginning of February and there were suggestions that Silva should be axed from the helm.
However, the Portuguese tactician was handed with the complete backing from club owner Farhad Moshiri and he has since transformed the club’s fortunes with stunning wins over the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at Goodison Park. Speaking to Everton TV, Coleman indicated that Silva was aware of the club’s dismal record against the Premier League’s elite and they have managed to redeem themselves with standout displays during the backend of the season.
He said: “ There is momentum developing and the manager touched on our record against the top teams right back on day one. He said it was one of the things he wanted to change and knew we could change. He made a point of it earlier in the season, too [when Everton were coming close against teams in the top six]. And now we are showing what we are capable of and looking forward to finishing the season strongly. It was brilliant against United. We knew in front of our own fans, the way the atmosphere has been, that we could beat them and we did.”
Everton started the fine run against the top six with a 0-0 draw against Liverpool. Thereafter, they have beaten Chelsea, Arsenal and United in convincing fashion while managing to keep shutouts in each of those. As such, they have jumped to the eighth spot with three games remaining and they stand a good chance of finishing as the best of the rest. The Toffees are currently just one point behind seventh-placed Watford. The position could offer them Europa League football next season, should Manchester City overcome the Hornets in the FA Cup final.
