Erik ten Hag described Everton’s current predicament as “really sad” and was pleased with how his Manchester United dealt with the hostile atmosphere in their 3-0 win at Goodison Park.
Sporting a flat cap, the Dutchman watched from the match next to the directors’ box – next to first team coach Darren Fletcher and on the other side of the stairs from Everton interim chief executive Colin Chong – as he served a touchline
suspension and having been among the home fans, he appreciated how well his players did to quell the noise as Blues supporters hit out against the Premier League after their 10-point deduction, which is the biggest such punishment in the 135-year history of English top flight football. Ten Hag said: “This is normal when you come to Everton. What this club has to overcome is really sad.
“We know that they are angry and we know that their team is highly motivated and they have a lot of fuel to hammer the next opponent. Everton have been in a good moment on the pitch, they have been playing so well recently.
“We knew it was going to be difficult but we like such challenges and I think that is what the team showed today.”
Although Ten Hag was pleased with his side taking the lead early on, he felt they didn’t play their best football until after the break. He said: “It was a good performance. We started very well, exactly how we planned it.
“I think we scored a great goal, not only the finish – which was incredible, fantastic – but also the way we attract them, we speed up, the overlap, the cross. But in the first half I thought we were too passive.
“We can’t be too passive, we were too easy-going, too comfortable, so I was not pleased with that part of the game. Everton also created some chances but the second half we were proactive, it was a very good performance and we scored two good goals I think.”
The 53-year-old who has now beaten the Blues in four competitive matches since taking charge at Old Trafford at the start of last season – while also facing them in a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies under Frank Lampard and then Sean Dyche – praised Alejandro Garnacho’s spectacular opener and added: “It was a fantastic goal. There are still many games left to play this season but it could be already the goal of the season.
