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Ronald Koeman’s post match Southampton interview

By Gary Pearson

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Ronald Koeman manager of Everton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 19, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Ronald Koeman manager of Everton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 19, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Ronald Koeman is happy how Everton has responded to a busy festive period, where the Toffees have taken seven points from a possible nine since Boxing Day.

His delight, however, was tempered by Everton’s slow start against Southampton. Koeman said the intensity wasn’t quite there in the first 45 minutes, a problem that has plagued Everton for most of the season.

Koeman is extremely satisfied with how Enner Valencia came in off the bench, as the Ecuadorian scored one goal, was integral in Leighton Baines’ second from the spot and was a nightmare for the makeshift Southampton defense to deal with.

Valencia’s opener was his first goal for the club. It spurred the Toffees on and gave them the impetus needed to go on and finish the match off in the final 15 minutes. Valencia’s speed, physicality and guile caused fits for Maya Yoshida, who replaced the suspended Virgil van Dijk, a player on Koeman’s transfer radar.

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Three factors that stood out in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Everton
Three factors that stood out in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Everton /

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    • His, and Everton’s, ultimate goal is to qualify for Europe come season’s end. He said the road ahead is filled with challenges but the confidence within the team is improving every day.

    The gaffer also comments about the forthcoming transfer window, saying that he knows what the team needs and hopes the board are willing to put in the money needed to bring his desirables to Goodison.

    Everton doesn’t play in the Premier League until January 15, when Manchester City come calling. The Toffees have an F.A. Cup match at home against Leicester on Saturday, a fixture that has all the making of a great cup tie.

    Next: Everton explode for three goals in 16 minutes to beat Saints

    It will be interesting to see what lineup Koeman decides to go with on Saturday, as many teams aren’t prioritizing the F.A. Cup like they used to. It’s still a chance to win silverware and one can hope that Everton have every intention of making a deep cup run.

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