Joleon Lescott reacts to Everton cup win against Watford

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Joleon Lescott claimed Everton picked up a vital win at home to Watford on Tuesday night, but wasn’t impressed by the first-half performance of both teams and feels it was too defensive.

The Toffees recorded a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup, as they beat top-flight rivals Watford with two second-half goals.

Mason Holgate broke the deadlock for the hosts with his goal in the 72nd minute, before Richarlison added another in stoppage time to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the cup competition.

The Merseyside club sit 16th in the Premier League table after a rocky start to the season and a solid cup run should boost confidence.

Meanwhile, Watford sit bottom of the division without a win in the league this season and their lack of confidence showed in the midweek cup fixture.

Ex-Everton defender Lescott highlighted a negative first-half in the cup victory.

“It’s been a tough time recently for Everton, Marco Silva particularly. Spent a fair bit of money and I’m sure the fans and the board kind of want more than what they are seeing in the league form,” Lescott told The Debate, as quoted by Sky Sports’ Premier League Twitter account.

“It was important they won tonight [against Watford]. In the first-half it looked like two teams that didn’t want to lose, rather than going to win. Obviously as the game progresses the games a bit more open and luckily for Everton they got the win.”

TRB’s View:

Everton’s lack of confidence right now really showed in the first-half against Watford, as they were too nervous about opening up their play and it should have been a game at home that they were on the front foot.

Marco Silva’s team were brilliant when they beat West Ham at home 19 October in the league and it’s a rare occasion this campaign that they have been offensive.

They were stronger in the second-half against Watford, but the opening 45 minutes there was no real fluidity going forward and it remains a problem for them.