Ben Godfrey has told Everton’s official website that the Toffees players were all urging each other to keep pushing forward against Southampton on Monday evening.
Everton took the lead early on against the Saints, as Richarlison finished well.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side then could have sat back on their lead, but Godfrey doesn’t feel Everton are well suited to playing on the back foot.
And the central defender has revealed that their players were all encouraging each other to keep pushing on and looking for a second.
“Sometimes, when you score early, you find yourself dropping deep and inviting pressure,” he said.
“It was important to not hang back because they will put long balls on you and apply pressure and that is when you see teams conceding late.
“We kept reiterating that on the pitch and kept going.
“We stuck together and showed great character to pull through.
“If we carry on doing what we are and remain focused, then, hopefully, there will be many more clean sheets to come.”
Everton actually weren’t able to extend their lead, and their performance wasn’t the most impressive.
But the three points were all that mattered in the end – and the Toffees did stand firm against Southampton’s threat, with Jordan Pickford pulling off some fine late saves.
Everton can now climb into the top four on Thursday, if they are able to beat West Bromwich Albion.
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