Rafa Benitez told Sky Sports the Everton players are now ‘giving everything’ to the cause after beating Burnley, while hinting that was not always the case under Carlo Ancelotti.
Benitez replaced Ancelotti at the Goodison Park helm in June after the Italian walked away to re-join Real Madrid. The Toffees are unbeaten under the Spaniard after five games in all competitions, with four wins after beating Burnley 3-1.
Everton came from behind to beat the Clarets with Michael Keane, Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray firing home within six-minutes. A turnaround win is rare on the Blue half of Merseyside; the club had only won twice in 59 Premier League games after conceding first.
Burnley dominated much of the first-half on Monday night before the game flipped on the hour, with Everton taking control. The Toffees produced an electrifying response to falling behind with Townsend the architect.
The free summer signing encapsulated Benitez’s desire for Everton to give everything on the pitch at all times. Flipping the script from a poor first period and Ben Mee’s opener, which could have seen the Toffees fall into the same trap endured under Ancelotti.
“What the fans want is a team that gives everything, and they can see that every day,” Benitez said. “The players of last year, maybe they were not performing at the level. Now they are giving everything, and the fans appreciate that.
“I think that’s just the way to move forward. What I told the players in the dressing room is we have done nothing yet. We are at the beginning. We have to improve so many things, but we are really pleased because everybody is trying to do their best.”
Did Benitez make a dig at Ancelotti after Everton beat Burnley?
Everton endured a horrific home record under Ancelotti last season and seemed set for the same course against Burnley. But Benitez’s men dug deep to muster a comeback, with his summer signings – Townsend and Gray – two key architects.
The Toffees ended 2020/21 10th in the Premier League table after winning just six of 19 at Goodison Park. They also lost nine on home soil, with only the relegated trio of Sheffield United (13), Fulham (13) and West Brom (10) beaten at their own grounds more often.
Everton also came from behind to beat West Brom at home last September after Grady Diangana broke the deadlock. They could, however, not overturn losing positions against Manchester United, Leeds, West Ham, Newcastle, Fulham, Manchester City, Burnley, Aston Villa and Sheffield United. While drawing with Liverpool and Tottenham after trailing.
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