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Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has explained that he sent a message to his players just moments before they scored a winning goal against West Brom last night.

The Toffees earned a vital three points on Thursday with a 1-0 away victory at the Hawthorns in the Premier League.

It means the Merseyside club are sat fifth in the table and are in a great position in the race for the Champions League spots.

Everton found their winning goal in the second half in the 65th minute, as in-form forward Richarlison powered in a header.

Ancelotti detailed post-match that he told substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson that he should take over corner kick responsibilities from Lucas Digne from the left.

Sigurdsson entered the action in the 64th minute, before one minute later assisting Richarlison’s header with his cross into the box.

Sigurdsson’s initial corner was blocked, but he was allowed to whip the ball back in from the wing position though after staying out wide.

“I think it was important for Gylfi to take the corner [straight after coming on],” Ancelotti said.

“Lucas [Digne] was taking the corner and I said it was better to have Gylfi because, with his swinging delivery, we are more dangerous.”

TBR’s View:

It wasn’t vintage by Everton against West Brom, but it was the kind of result that signals their intent to try finish in the top four this season.

They will move into the Champions League positions if they win their game in hand on fourth-placed Chelsea.

It will be interesting to see though how they cope during the rest of the season, as they now have a new kind of pressure on them to do well.