Ferguson ‘happy with a point’ after sluggish Everton display

Duncan Ferguson admitted he was happy to take a point from Everton’s meeting with Arsenal in what was his final game in charge. 

The Toffees played out a 0-0 draw with the Gunners in the Premier League’s lunchtime kick off in a game that was low in both quality and talking points.

The main topic of discussion, in fact, was the confirmation of Carlo Ancelotti as the club’s new manager shortly before the game got underway.

And with the successful Italian coach watching on from the stands at Goodison, Ferguson was able to extend his unbeaten league run to three games despite a lacklustre performance.

Speaking to the BBC post-match, he said: “I think a point was fair. We struggled with our energy levels today and we lacked quality on the ball. But it was a game of few chances, Arsenal probably had the best chance and our goalie [Jordan Pickford] made a fantastic save, but we’re happy with a point”.

After a run of fixtures that has included games with Chelsea, Manchester United, Leicester and Arsenal during Ferguson’s short time in charge, the Scotsman says tiredness set in to the players during Saturday’s fixture.

He added: “I think it was just fatigue. The boys gave me everything and they covered every blade of grass again, they had a good shape about them but just never really got that final ball or final pass to create the chance, but the players were incredible for me the past four games”.

Ferguson managed to take five points from a possible nine from his three Premier League games in charge, and has been praised for ‘steadying the ship’ at Everton after their poor start to the season under Marco Silva.

He will now be replaced by Ancelotti, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the club, and the three-time Champions League winning coach will be in charge of the Merseyside outfit for the first time when they travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Boxing Day.