Carlo Ancelotti Quips 'Football Is Simple' After Everton Maintain 100% Start
Everton again showed that their remarkable start to the season is no fluke after dispatching Brighton 4-2 at Goodison Park.
Despite not being at their absolute best - in comparison to some of the performances we've already seen this season - the Toffees had more than enough in the tank to see off Graham Potter's side, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin took his season tally to nine and James Rodriguez grabbed his first goals in Everton blue.
Another error from Jordan Pickford - his 11th since August 2017, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper - was the only setback Carlo Ancelotti's side encountered, and the Italian was full of praise for another 'complete' performance when speaking to Everton's official website.
Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, also spoke to the club's website, praising the impact of Everton's summer signings - as well as touching on his incredible goalscoring form.
Ancelotti on Game Management
“We played well and managed the game well,” Ancelotti said. “Brighton had possession but we were composed defensively and had opportunities to score on the counter-attack. We were good on set-pieces as usual.
“We won a couple of balls under pressure [to spring forwards for James’ goals] and were good with the finishes."
Ancelotti on Adaptability & the Simplicity of Football
“The performance was complete and this is the reason I think we deserved to win. James is doing really well. A player with quality doesn’t have a problem to adapt. The quality is there.
“Football is not so complicated, the pitch is always the same, the opponents always have 11 players, the ball is the same and the goal doesn’t move. Football is simple.”
Ancelotti on Calvert-Lewin's Continued Good Form
“With Dominic, there is not only one reason for his form. He is confident and we are seeing him improve. He is scoring goals which is the most important thing for a striker.
“When a striker scores goals he is absolutely more confident and this is how it is now for Calvert-Lewin."
Calvert-Lewin on Everton's New Signings Gelling
“What they’ve added to the team has been crucial. We have gelled really well and the system we play suits us, though in the second half [against Brighton] we didn’t play that well, to be honest.
“But we scored goals in the second half and the best teams win when they are not always on top. We dug in and limited their chances.
“We started the game well, though. On the whole, I think it was a solid performance again. We are feeling confident, creating chances and scoring goals."