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Lukaku happy with point gained at City

Lyndon Lloyd Monday, 17 October, 2016 11comments  |  Jump to most recent
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Romelu Lukaku says that Everton were disappointed not to hold on to all three points at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but were content nonetheless with a draw given how strong a side Manchester City proved themselves to be.

The Blues ended Pep Guardiola's 100% home record this season by denying City victory thanks to Lukaku's brilliant second-half goal and tremendous defending by Ronald Koeman's team.

The Belgian put Everton 1-0 up with what was their second shot on target of the game when he romped away from Gael Clichy and buried the ball past Claudio Bravo but Nolito came off the bench to equalise when he popped up in the box unmarked eight minutes later.

“When you're under pressure like that against the best team in the League at the moment you have to be tough mentally and defend well. Be as a team”, Lukaku said.

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“When we got the lead I thought if we could get the second it'd be a totally different game. But you have to be focused and we lacked a bit of focus when they scored. After that we defended well for the rest of the game.

“That's what told each other at half time — we had to encourage each other and be positive. We had to be patient, defend well and try to take our chances.

“In the first half we tried three up front for the first 20 minutes and it didn't work out. Then when we played two up front and a diamond in midfield we were good on the counter attack.

“But I think we have to be lucky with one point. City were good — they have top quality players. We have to be happy with the draw and keep going.”

Though it was a tremendous team display, the other standout performer of the day was Maarten Stekelenburg who saved penalties from Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Agüero before his goal was eventually breached by Nolito with 18 minutes to go.

The Dutch goalkeeper agreed that it was a valuable, well-earned point gained against a very good side.

“You know if you come here it's going to be a tough afternoon," Stekelenburg told evertontv. "I think first half especially we did very well. It cost a lot of energy because they dominated the game but first half I don't think they created a chance because we defended very well.

“Second half, you know it's going to be more difficult. With the players they have, you know they're going to have that chance.

“But if you concede two penalties and then go 1-0 up, you hope you'll get the three points but I think in the end we have to be happy with the point.

“I think it was an amazing team performance today. I think everybody, including the players who came in, did an amazing job and we can be proud of the result."

 

Reader Comments (11)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 17/10/2016 at 17:29:53
Good realistic, summing up!
Patrick Murphy
2 Posted 17/10/2016 at 17:36:26
I was pondering who should be the next captain of Everton following Jags; obviously Williams would be a contender; however, he is of a similar age to Jags, but would Romelu relish it or find it a burden if he was chosen as the next Blues captain?

I think Romelu will actually stay at Goodison Park for as long as Koeman remains the manager and who knows if both are successful here they may join forces at Barca in a few years time.

Mike Oates
3 Posted 17/10/2016 at 17:44:41
If no European football next year, Rom will be away. He is a proven top goalscorer and just will want to test himself in Europe. I think he'll stay one more season if we are in the Europa Cup, but if we are not in the Champions League by 2018-19 season he'll be gone.

Can't see him as Captain material for any club. I think Coleman will be the next Captain, he's certainly making a go of the Irish Captaincy.

Paul Conway
4 Posted 17/10/2016 at 18:57:43
I think we can be grateful in bundles that he decided to stay on for at least another season. Because... subtract his goals from our goals scored table and we would be at the other end!

Irrespective of what he is earning, as he could well earn elsewhere. Just build around him, the goalkeeper, Gana, Williams, Coleman, Bolasie... and swap the rest!

Richard Dodd
5 Posted 17/10/2016 at 18:59:48
Can't wait to see the back of Jags, eh, Patrick?

In the last England squad but in the Howard, Ossie, Hibbo Club on here!

Ray Roche
6 Posted 17/10/2016 at 19:04:25
Mike, agree with you re Seamus as Captain material, thing with Lukaku is, did anyone come in for him in the summer? Is that why he was making the "new contract" murmurings.
John Daley
7 Posted 17/10/2016 at 19:47:34
So, a perfectly innocent remark in passing, such as "I was pondering who should be the next captain of Everton following Jags", suddenly turns into "I fucking hate Jags me" after a quick rinse through the Richard Dodd regurgitator?

'The Freshy' must be a dead ringer for notorious dive 'The Double Deuce' out of Road House, except with the exact same guy getting filled in every single night.

This is the second thread on which you've tried to make out Jagielka is now the new whipping boy, even though there's actually been very few harsh words aimed his way after him giving away two penalties in the same game by doing his stretching exercises in the box before wellying someone in the shin.

As for Lukaku's comments, a sensible enough summary of the game but it's stretching matters like Mr Fantastic to suggest we were "good on the counter attack" for seventy minutes. Apart from his superb run and finish and an earlier decent effort from Deulofeu, I'm struggling to recall any further breaks forward that troubled City in the slightest.


James Stewart
9 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:56:35
Love Jagielka as a player but he isn't captain material. Williams all day long.
Tom Bowers
10 Posted 17/10/2016 at 21:59:24
I don't think Rom has to prove anything to anyone. He is a class act at scoring and does have faults like all other top strikers including Aguero who has now missed 4 penalties this season.

What Everton do this season may greatly influence Rom's ambitions but we will just have to wait and see.

Neil Roberts
11 Posted 18/10/2016 at 07:11:02
It will be a great point if we get 3 at Burnley; otherwise, just a lucky one.
Eddie Dunn
12 Posted 18/10/2016 at 07:46:09
Jags was at fault for the two daft moments but he was shouting and marshalling his men throughout – he certainly isn't the shrinking violet that some portray him to be.

Williams could possibly do it better, but the team has plenty of guts at the moment, so no need to have a go at a guy who gives everything to the cause every time he puts on the shirt.

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