Ancelotti: “We are pleased to be second”, throws jab at schedule-makers

Despite being down Lucas Digne, James Rodriguez, Allan and now Richarlison, Everton have now made it four wins in a row in the league, the second time this season they have managed that feat.

After the victory at Sheffield United earlier tonight, manager Carlo Ancelotti was asked if this ground-out result was a big confidence boost for his weary side.

“Helps a lot. We have to know that every game is really difficult, very complicated.

“As I said before the game, to win here is not easy. Sheffield United is a good team.”

How did he feel about where Everton sit the day after Christmas, in second place?

“We are really pleased to be second. We didn’t expect to be here at the start of the season, but we are there and want to stay there.”

When pressed if this was something he has allowed his side to think about, the veteran Italian manager reiterated his previous comment while getting in a jab at the schedule-makers as well.

“We are there, we are pleased to be there. We don’t have a lot of time to think about it because we have another important game in two days.

“I think this is unbelievable, I don’t know how we can play the game, but we have to and we will push.”

The Toffees will face off at Goodison Park against Manchester City with kickoff coming exactly 48 hours after the games against the Blades today got underway, with the Blues already having played five times in fifteen days.