‘We were not focused’: Ancelotti blasts Iwobi, teammates after Everton’s defeat to Newcastle

CARLO Ancelotti made it clear he was not pleased with his Everton players after their 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Italian was in a furious mood in his post-match interview after watching his side, in which Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi started, succumb to two goals from Callum Wilson.

The defeat dented Everton’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four positions and the usually placid Ancelotti did not spare his players.

“I think Newcastle won the game because they showed more fighting spirit on the pitch,” the former Chelsea manager said.

“They showed more concentration, more motivation. They were the weapons we had when we won games – spirit, motivation, concentration and ambition.

“I think we forgot all this today at home. I don’t know why. But that was the reason, it was not a tactical or physical reason, it was a mental reason. The psychological aspect affected our performance.”

The Toffees had won five and drawn one of their seven games prior to hosting struggling Newcastle, and Ancelotti was stunned by the loss to the Magpies.  

“I am surprised,” he added. “We had a good run until now. We are happy for what we have done.

“We cannot forget why we had a good run – because we showed good spirit on the pitch.

“Not because we had better quality. Of course, we have good quality in the squad, but without spirit, there is no quality.

“We were not focused. We gave 12 corners to them. We didn’t win duels, second balls. This is the game – not only showing the quality.”

Everton are back in action on Wednesday night at Leeds United and Ancelotti hopes his players will bounce back immediately.

He said: “We have had a good run and I hope it will only be one game like this.

“I don’t want to forget what we did so far this season.

“We are in a good position in the table. I think this is because of our spirit.

“If you are beaten in the spirit, it is difficult to win games.

“I hope on Wednesday against Leeds, we are going to show our spirit and attitude, as we did in the past.”

Everton have now lost four home league games this season, the most in a campaign for Ancelotti since 2007-08 with AC Milan (also four).

Everton stayed seventh in the table after the defeat, with 33 points from 19 matches, four points off Liverpool in fourth.

Newcastle are 16th with 22 points from 21 matches.