Everton’s centerhalves dominant in win over Bournemouth

Everton beat visiting AFC Bournemouth 2-0 somewhat fortuitously earlier today, with well-taken goals from Kurt Zouma and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealing the three points.

The central defender’s first goal for the club broke the deadlock at the hour mark and proved to be the winner as Zouma helped keep a clean sheet for the Blues.

Speaking after the game, the player who is on loan from Chelsea, was excited to open his account for the Toffees.

“I enjoyed it. We had a clean sheet. I’m obviously really glad to score my first goal for Everton and that give us the win so I’m very happy with that. We need to keep working hard and keep playing like that.”

Apparently manager Marco Silva had thrown down the gauntlet before today’s game to Zouma to get a goal.

“I ran to the manager because yesterday he asked me to score today. He said, ‘how many goals did you score last year [on loan at Stoke City]?’ and I only scored one. He said, ‘I want to see two more scored’ and said I [would] do it today.

”I am really, really happy because we needed that win today and we wanted to win. It was made even more enjoyable because I scored the first goal and we kept a clean sheet.

”We stayed focussed in our game and just had to keep confident, keep patient, and we got the goal.

”Now I hope we start winning all of the games.”

Zouma also complimented Lucas Digne whose pinpoint cross set up the winner.

“The cross [from Digne] was unbelievable. I just had to put my head there and the ball went in. I was a bit surprised [to be in so much space], but I had to take it and obviously I’m happy I did.

”We needed to be strong at the back as well to keep all the balls away from the goal and that’s what we did today and everybody did a great job, I think. Then we managed to score the second one through Dominic and everybody’s happy. We did good work today.”

His fellow centreback Michael Keane had a strong game as well, bouncing back well from his mistake against Leicester City that resulted in the winning goal being conceded.

“I feel like I did everything right with that one to be fair. I’ve had a few that I’ve missed this season, but I couldn’t quite get over it so I tried to take a bit of pace off it so it could dip and I think it just clipped the top of the bar so it was unlucky.

”But luckily Kurt put it away in the second half and it gave us the boost we needed at the right time and it was a huge goal, it settled us down and gave us something to hold onto it.”

Man of the Match Ademola Lookman received special praise from Keane as well.

“He’s got everything. He’s probably the most skilful player at the club, definitely him and Bernard maybe. He can go both ways, he can score goals, and he’s only young as well so he’s only going to get better with more and more experience.

”He’s had to bide his time but you can see in glimpses what he’s capable of. If he can get consistency over time and keep learning he’ll be a hell of a player.”