Ancelotti satisfied with defensive performance, praises Pickford

In a season where Everton continue to destroy hoodoos one after the other, another long winless streak was ended with a win away at Arsenal, the first since 1996. It was also the Blues first ever win at the Emirates Stadium, and the first time the Blues have completed the league double over the Gunners since the 1985-86 season.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Carlo Ancelotti was beaming after his side finally won a game after six attempts.

“A good result, an important result, we are still attached to the top of the table. That is what we needed. I said before this game we have to keep fighting.

I think we played a good game, but we had difficulties but we tried to play all the time We had some good opportunities.

“Defensively we were good, and so I am satisfied with the performance.”

While there was a stroke of good luck or two with Bernd Leno’s own goal for the winner as well as a marginal offside negating a penalty attempt for the hosts, did Ancelotti think Everton deserved to win today?

“Honestly it was a draw, to be honest. Arsenal had more control of the ball. We were good defensively in the first half, but we were not so clinical in possession. Honestly it was a draw.

“The last game we played against Tottenham we deserved to win, against Crystal Palace we deserved to win, so today we got those points back.”

Jordan Pickford did well to preserve the three points after Seamus Coleman had allowed Gabby Martinelli to get goalside of him late on.

“Jordan did really well, he had a good save at the end, he was comfortable, good with the ball. His performance was really good.”

Today might be the healthiest the Blues have been since the early part of the season, with just Michael Keane, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jean-Philippe Gbamin out injured, and Ancelotti had a few options on the bench.

“[Fabian] Delph helped us a lot with his experience and skills and I put fresh legs in the midfield. Andre [Gomes] helped a lot, but when you have options it is better.”

Everton appear to have resuscitated their chances of qualifying for Europe with this win.

“It was important. After five games without a win it was important to get a victory against a strong team. We will keep fighting. I have always said, the race will be decided on the last game.”