David Unsworth grateful to Everton fans for support

David Unsworth returns to the Everton Under-23 side today after relinquishing his interim role in charge of the senior side, overseeing two wins and a draw in eight games. However, it was the manner of the last win that will be the memory Evertonians will want to save, with Wayne Rooney turning back the clock with a hattrick to dispatch David Moyes’ West Ham United 4-0.

Speaking to the media after the game, Unsy thanked the fans for supporting him as he lived his dream of managing the Toffees. Chants of his name went around the ground multiple times in the second half and he was quick to notice that.

“That was very special and I thank the supporters for that.

“I have always had a wonderful affiliation with the Everton fans. I had a great relationship with them throughout my playing career. That was a nice personal moment and I thank them for that.

“It means the world to me. When we took over we were in the bottom three, so to get us up the league to 13th is a step in the right direction.

“We have had a lot of games in a short period of time and it has been a tough six weeks. But, hopefully, we have given the new manager and his staff a platform to build on tonight.”

Speaking of the new manager Sam Allardyce, who was present at the ground last night, Unsworth committed to giving him all his support.

"Well, Sam has my full backing. The board have made their decision and like any manager, he needs to be afforded time, patience. He needs to be given the chance and the backing from the whole football club and he certainly has my backing.

"I had 10 minutes with him [Allardyce] this afternoon at Finch Farm. He came in with Steve Walsh and had a look around, so I had a quick 10 minutes with him, I'm sure I'll have a more in-depth conversation with him in the next few days, about individuals and the squad and I'll have a couple of days off, if you don't mind!”

Everton’s most unlikely backline (Kenny - Holgate - Williams - Martina) became the first to maintain a Premier League clean sheet since the opening game also at Goodison against Stoke City.

“I thought our shape was better. We worked tirelessly on our shape off the ball and that is what you have to do when you are conceding goals. The clean sheet is fantastic – as important as the goals.

“I thought the players' attitude was fantastic. Spot on. Everything I asked of them they did with confidence, and I thought they played without fear.

“We went for it, we stuck together and it was a team performance.

“The players showed confidence tonight, certainly after Wayne scored his first goal. They started playing then and reproduced the form I have seen for the past six weeks in training.

“We have had some tough games. But it is always nice to get back to Goodison and I think, with another game coming up, if we can back that up with another three points, that would lift the place as well.”