Ancelotti: Football is simple, players with quality don’t need time

Everton pulled away in the second half to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 in an end-to-end game yesterday with both sides creating plenty of chances. Speaking after the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti was happy with his side.

“We played well and managed the game well. Brighton had possession but we were composed defensively and had opportunities to score on the counter-attack.

“We were good on set-pieces as usual. The performance was complete and this is the reason I think we deserved to win.”

Ancelotti went on to add his admiration for what star James Rodriguez is doing with this time in the Premier League especially with how quickly he has adapted.

“James is doing really well. A player with quality doesn’t have a problem to adapt. The quality is there.

“Football is not so complicated, the pitch is always the same, the opponents always have 11 players, the ball is the same and the goal doesn’t move.

“Football is simple.”

Seamus Coleman and Richarlison both limped off, but again Ancelotti did not seem too worried.

“Small injury, I think, Coleman. Richarlison had the same problem that he had against West Ham in the [Carabao] Cup.

“So we have 15 days to recover them and I think we will be able to do so.”

The Blues handled their slate of seven games before the international market with aplomb, winning all of those games.

“We are really pleased for the start, we did really well this period, winning games, showing good quality, the spirit is good.

“But it is only the start of the season. Now there is the international break and we can have rest. It was a busy time and we have to come back with the same spirit and attitude.

“In general the attacking football was good, we had opportunities and we were really clinical on set-pieces, really good on the counter-attack, we played a complete game.

“When we defended with the low block we were in a good position, we defended well and so I am pleased.”