Koeman: Tougher than the final result reflected

After a 4-0 win you would expect most managers in the Premier League would be pretty thrilled. However, as Everton fans have learned, Ronald Koeman is not most managers and while he was pleased with the performance on the day, he called out the passing in the final third against Hull City as requiring work.

(Koeman’s segment begins at the 1:48 mark, click here for link to the video)

“Hull made it really difficult. They had a big chance for 1-1 and even in the second half I needed to change the system. I brought Funes in to help control the game.

“I’m happy that I changed the system because we got control of the game back. Of course, the red card is a big reason we won the game with four goals.

“After they went down to 11 against 10 and the second goal we knew we would kill the game and might get some more chances. But it was tougher than the final result reflected. Even if you see the final result, I don’t think that’s the best we have played at home.”

Koeman commended the visitors for pegging the hosts back.

“We started really aggressive and the first goal is from a great attack. It is really good movement from Tom Davies and the final pass is outstanding.

“But it is always difficult to play against five defenders, and Hull were playing with three centre-backs. It made it tough and we did not control the game. We were running too much and weren’t in positions to control the game.”

He explained his team choices and the omission of Kevin Mirallas.

“Last Thursday, Kevin had some issues with his groin but we expected that he did on Friday a normal training then he went to Belgium.

“His wife had their second child and there are some things more important than football. He spoke to me and then I needed to decide which player will replace Kevin.

“Dominic did well. The whole team did. We were really aggressive, we started well.

“The first goal was good movement of Tom Davies and the final pass was outstanding. It wasn’t our best home performance though.

“They had a big chance for 1-1 and even in the second half I need to change the system to bring Funes in and control the system. It was more tough than the final result reflected.”