EUROPA LEAGUE - Group E: Everton Vs Lyon [19/10/2017]

Date: 18-10-2017 5:23 pm (6 years ago) | Author: Grace Garland
- at 18-10-2017 05:23 PM (6 years ago)
(m)

Time: 08:05pm
Ronald Koeman has urged Everton to focus on getting three points in their Europa League match with Lyon as they look to move off the bottom of Group E.

The Premier League side have picked up just one point in the competition so far - drawing 2-2 with Apollon Limassol last time out - and losing their opening fixture against Atalanta.

But with Thursday's match at Goodison Park, Koeman has urged his side to target their first victory of the campaign and believes the confidence will improve across the board if they win.

"It is a really important game," he said. "We know the situation in the group - we need a win. We expected a win last time against Apollon Limassol but we were unlucky and they scored in the last few minutes [to draw].

"But you know that one point from two games means you need a win. You need three wins at home and try to pick up what you can away. The situation is that we need to win to get good possibilities to go through in this tournament.

"We know what we need to do [on Thursday]. The boys are working really hard to get it right. It is a good night tomorrow to win and get the full confidence back in the team.

"We have three different games in three different competitions in the next week. We want to do well in all of them but our only focus is tomorrow and that is what we need to concentrate on."

Team news

Ronald Koeman confirmed Thursday's clash will come too soon for James McCarthy, though the midfielder could return for Everton's clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

The Republic of Ireland international has been out with a knee injury since March, but did play the first half of an Everton U23s match earlier this week.

Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori, Aaron Lennon, Yannick Bolasie and Ross Barkley all remain sidelined.

Lyon are expected to have a fully fit squad for the trip to Goodison Park, with former Man Utd midfielder Memphis Depay likely to feature along with talented forward and captain Nabil Fekir.

Head to Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between Everton and Lyon.

Everton have met French opposition on two previous occasions on the European stage - beating Lille in the Europa League 3-0 at Goodison Park in November 2014, while drawing their away match 0-0 in October 2014.

Posted: at 18-10-2017 05:23 PM (6 years ago) | Upcoming
- ruthie at 18-10-2017 05:34 PM (6 years ago)
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Posted: at 18-10-2017 05:34 PM (6 years ago) | Hero
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