Koeman’s half-time team talk spurred Everton

Everton beat West Ham 2-0 at Goodison Park earlier today with Romelu Lukaku continuing his scoring streak against the Hammers. Ross Barkley had a much more encouraging day too, looking more like his old self and capped off the game with the second goal.

After the game, manager Ronald Koeman spoke to the media about his halftime team talk that got the team fired up -

"I said to them, 'Why we are nervous? We are at home. If we press well and play well we get always the support of the fans'.

"I saw too many doubts in the first half and I was saying to them, 'Come on. Go for it. Football needs to be enjoyable’.

"The second half was good, really different than the first half. I think maybe the nerves were about the last few results. We had a lack of confidence, doubting in certain aspects when it comes to pressing and being aggressive.

"The second half, the start was different, the way we like to play and like to press the opponent and the fast first goal helped."

Koeman also talked about his choice to bench club captain Phil Jagielka -

"I think we were perfect defensively in defending the crosses and corner kicks.

"We made some changes. I think the goalkeeper (Robles) played fantastically, while Funes and Oviedo did a good job."

"Sometimes it is a fitness question. I had already thought (about resting Jagielka) before the Burnley game but sometimes you think 'Why I change after a very good defensive performance against City?' but I like to protect Jags.

"November, December and January will be very tough for everyone and sometimes you need to give players a chance to show and that was the final reason I give the chance to Funes."