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Ronald Koeman was mostly satisfied with Everton’s performance today as the Blues drew 1-1 away at Hajduk Split, resulting in a 3-1 aggregate win in the Europa League playoff round.
Speaking to the media after the game, he said (quotes via Liverpool Echo) -
“We dropped a bit in the first-half to get compact.
“We did well from the start. The goal before half-time made it more difficult.
“But we controlled the game well, we didn't create a lot and the goal just before half-time made it more difficult.
“The key moment was saving the penalty. At 1-1, with still 30 minutes to go and atmosphere in stadium was difficult but we did well, controlled the game and last 10 minutes was like a training session.”
| “It was just incredible. I don't have any other word for it."
— Everton (@Everton) August 24, 2017
More from @ronaldkoeman ➡️ https://t.co/23XBTxHmfB pic.twitter.com/M6D6YokI5Y
"I saw the goal, yes, but I don't think everyone on the bench did!
“It was just incredible. I don't have any other word for it. You need to be really clever to see that possibility and, even after two or three weeks of the season, maybe it is the goal of the season. It was really important to be level so quickly in the second half.
“I haven’t seen him yet as he was doing interviews straight after the final whistle but when I do see him, I’ll tell him it wasn’t a bad goal.”
When asked if he’d scored any similar goals in his time, he laughed -
“My goals were a little bit closer to the box… but they were also nice ones!”
| @RonaldKoeman heads over to the travelling Toffees to thank them for their magnificent backing in Croatia. #EFC pic.twitter.com/imIPMSQQ1S
— Everton (@Everton) August 24, 2017
Everton’s traveling contingent were impressive once again, selling out the away team allotment and filling the stadium with their voices despite undergoing plenty of hardships to get to the game.