- Jake O’Brien believes Everton have a chance against Manchester City.
- The defender believes Everton needs to reassess for the remaining four games.
- Everton play Manchester City up next on Monday night.
Everton return to Premier League action on Monday night when Manchester City visit Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees are still chasing European qualification, but back‑to‑back defeats have dented their efforts.
Defender Jake O’Brien has spoken about the team’s recent frustrations and their belief that they can still get results against the league’s best.
Kake O’Brien, who has been a regular feature in David Moyes’ defence, acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming fixture while pointing to Everton’s track record in such games.
‘We’ve been in this position before’
Asked about facing Manchester City, Jake O’Brien said, “Obviously, they’re a top team and it’s going to be a difficult game, but we’ve been in this position before where we’ve come up against top opposition and we’ve come away on the good side. That’s what we’re looking to do again.
“Especially at Hill Dickinson with the fans behind us, it’ll be important they get behind us again like they’ve always done and we come away with the three points.”
The Irish centre‑back also reflected on a frustrating few weeks where Everton have dropped points late in the game. “Yeah, I think it’s frustrating because we’re on the wrong end of results and results we thought we’d pick up some points. There have been difficult games because I thought we’ve played well in parts and then to come out with nothing is the frustrating part.
“There are still four games to go and points to grab so we’re still within our reach of what we’re trying to do but, as you said, it’s just been a frustrating few weeks.”
Jake O’Brien: ‘Set pieces or moments where someone might have switched off’
The manner of the recent defeats, conceding late goals, has been particularly painful. Jake O’Brien admitted it is hard to pinpoint a single cause.
“It’s hard to put down to what it is, but it’s definitely been frustrating the way we’ve conceded and they’re not the usual goals that we do concede and we’ve usually been well organised. I think it’s just been set pieces or moments where someone might have switched off. It’s something we’ve got to put behind us now and go into the next games and not let it happen again.”
He acknowledged that defensive organisation has been a strength, making the recent lapses all the more frustrating. “Yes, it doesn’t happen often, but I think the time of the season it is and how important these games are, that’s the frustrating part. You could play well for 90 minutes and then the two minutes you switch off and give away a goal, that’s what people look back on.”
On how to respond, Jake O’Brien stressed the importance of assessment before the season finishes. “No, we’ve definitely looked into it. I think it’s important for us to see where we went wrong, just because there’s four games coming up and it’s important that we don’t let it happen again. But it’s important, as well, not to dwell on it and to go into the games full of confidence and knowing that we can get points.”
Monday night offers Everton a chance to bounce back against the champions. With the Hill Dickinson crowd behind them, the Blues will hope to prove that they can still upset the odds.
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