On Saturday evening, Everton recorded a 2-0 win at Liverpool in the Merseyside derby to end a near 22-year wait for a victory at Anfield. Carlo Ancelotti’s team produced an astute display to see off a lacklustre Liverpool.
Everton have had many ups and downs this season, but there seems to be a common consensus that Ancelotti is moving the team in the right direction.
Strike first. Strike hard. No Mersey. 🥋👊Hey @WilliamZabka, got any room in the dojo for @richarlison97? #CobraKai pic.twitter.com/E0p35C2Mne— Everton (@Everton) February 20, 2021
Strike first. Strike hard. No Mersey. 🥋👊Hey @WilliamZabka, got any room in the dojo for @richarlison97? #CobraKai pic.twitter.com/E0p35C2Mne
The Italian boss is one of the best of his generation and is far from finished. He moved to Everton because he fancied a challenge and to be part of an ambitious project.
One of his biggest tasks was to change the mentality of the club. The Merseysider’s for too long have been underachievers or sleeping giants.
Ancelotti has helped his team achieve some big results this season. However, psychologically winning at Anfield could be a pivotal one for the Toffees going forward.
The psychological aspect of football is massive when it comes to winning games and trophies. Many teams have recorded particular victories that have transformed their fortunes.
The win on Saturday could well prove to be that sort for Everton, who are still very much in the race for those all-important European spots this season.
The win moved the Toffees level on points with sixth-place Liverpool, while they are now just five points off the top four, with a game in hand of fourth-place West Ham. Winning the derby game will just send belief through the roof amongst the Everton players and fans for that matter.
Everton may never have a better chance to progress than this season. In Carlo Ancelotti they have a truly world-class head coach and there are some top players within their squad.
Now they may just have had the psychological boost to go on and finish the season in a strong manner.