28 November 2023 , 13:56
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Everton will remain defiant and resilient, even in the face of an ‘unjust’ threat of relegation, as they front up to their points deduction head on.
That is the message from skipper James Tarkowski, who is blunt in stating that talk of an appeal, and extensive protests planned by the fans can not affect his side, as they answer the charge in the only place they can…out on the pitch.
The Blues produced a passionate display against Manchester United, in their first match since the punishment for breaking financial rules shocked the football world, but ultimately slumped to a devastating defeat.
It leaves them firmly now in the relegation zone after they were deducted 10 points, but Tarkowski believes his team must cut out all the noise, and use their strength of character to win the points to keep Everton in the Premier League.
“There has been a lot going on, that we know. But our job as players and the coaching staff is to prepare to go out on that pitch, perform well and pick up points,” he explained.
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"Everything else that is going to happen around us, we can't affect it, we just focus on what we can do. We showed against United how we will prepare and give our all for this Club, and we will continue to do that.”
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The Goodison club are now five points from safety after the disappointing weekend defeat, which came after they caused real problems for United, and created several big chances.
But despite eventually falling to a 3-0 defeat, the fans stayed behind their team until the final whistle, and even applauded the players off at the end, which allows Tarkowski to believe that defiant spirit will be important in the coming months.
“We know our fans are with us, and everyone in that dressing room is with us so that's what we will do - keep the intensity and mentality that was there against United,” he said.
“The signs (really) were there, with the performance level spot on. But obviously we want results now. We had a good week of training, and we performed well. We didn't get the result but we will do the same this week and the week after that.”
Everton had by far the better chances in the game, but were undone by a wonder goal from Alejandro Garnacho and a dubious penalty. They still could easily have won though, had they not wasted at least four simple opportunities, but Tarkowski is unworried by the misfire in front of goal.
“We have been very clinical over the past few weeks, scoring a lot of goals. It was just one of those days. We will get back to the training ground and be ready to go again.
“We dominated, pressed really well, made a team who want to play football kick it long. We were taking it off them and then going and attacking again.
“We had four or five great chances but just didn't put it in the back of the net, so we can take the positive from that and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
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