Carlo Ancelotti believes Everton’s win at Leeds was a perfect response to their disastrous loss to Newcastle.
A 2-1 victory at Elland Road was made possible by first-half goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first in the league since December.
Although Raphina reduced the deficit after the interval, the Blues held on to record a fourth successive away win and their seventh this season overall.
And Ancelotti felt the win over Marcelo Bielsa’s side was a much-needed reaction to last weekend’s abject home reversal at Newcastle’s hands.
He said: “After the defeat against Newcastle we needed this kind of performance.
“We played really good in the first half, and had more problems to defend in the second half because we conceded an early goal.
“But the reaction and concentration of the team all game was really good.
“I said to them [after Newcastle] we lost the fighting spirit at home. We thought just with our quality we could win the game, but it wasn’t enough.
“I told them, ‘Be back with our spirit in this game’, and it was back.”
Ancelotti was also quick to praise Robin Olsen, who delivered an inspired goalkeeping display for Everton in place of an injured Jordan Pickford.
The Sweden international made numerous crucial stops, including an incredible triple-save with the game finely poised late in the second half.
But the Everton manager expects Pickford to recover from a rib injury in time to feature in Saturday night’s visit to a high-flying Manchester United.
“Olsen had a big part in this game,” added Ancelotti.
“He made super saves. We knew it was difficult; we won the game because we defended well.
“We have to look in the next two days [at Pickford].
“I hope he can be ready for Saturday.”