The Everton manager was quick to change his side when they were 1-0 down in the first half against the Baggies.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman before the match
Everton winger Kevin Mirallas has told the Daily Star that the players were impressed by Ronald Koeman’s ability to change the game against West Bromwich Albion.
The Blues travelled to the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon looking for their first win of the season after drawing against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day.
Things were not looking good for them though as a Gareth McAuley header put the Baggies in the lead in the first half.
That saw Koeman make an early change, electing to take off James McCarthy in favour of striker Romelu Lukaku.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley
The decision changed the game as the Belgian provided the focal point they needed, with the Blues going on to win the game 2-1 courtesy of Gareth Barry’s header.
And Mirallas has hailed his manager’s decision to make the early change, saying it pleased the player’s to see him being proactive.
“The coach saw directly that things were not good and changed and after that we played well,” he told the Daily Star.
“He proved how good he is, because he saw directly that the team had a problem. When you are a player and you see that, then you are happy. You can see clearly that the coach has the solutions to win a game.”
Everton’s Gareth Barry celebrates scoring their second goal with Romelu Lukaku
Koeman’s ruthlessness will certainly go down well with Everton fans, who often criticised Roberto Martinez for being the exact opposite.
The Spaniard became synonymous with making late and ineffective substitutions something that would regularly anger the Goodison faithful.
This game showed Koeman has a different outlook though, and that will be a welcome change for the Blues fans.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman applauds fans after the game
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