soccer

'Everton are still in a great position'

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Former Everton striker Jermaine Beckford has been speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about whether he agrees with David Moyes that Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was the difference in Monday's defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"I absolutely do, especially towards the back end of the game," Beckford said.

"Everton were piling on pressure in terms of set-pieces being put in. They put eight or nine players around the keeper, made it really difficult for him to collect anything but he was fantastic. They threw everything and the kitchen sink at the guy and he was immense. The difference.

"As a striker, my frustration from Everton's perspective is the lack of movement and direct running in the final third. It is frustrating, it really is. You can hear it in Moyes' voice. The team played really well, they gave Manchester United a tough game. But at the end of the day if you can't put away chances, you're not going to be able to score goals.

"I thought the boys in midfield, Tim Iroegbunam and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were brilliant. But then creativity wise, Ndiaye did as well as he could do. He was probably the best player on the pitch in terms of every time he got the ball he was direct and positive. But there was nobody else to really unlock the United defence.

"Tyrique George was a bit of a throwback to the old school where as a winger you give him the ball and say, 'go on then, attack your full-back. Let's see what you can do'. He got the crowd up and bubbling. But this is a youngster, we need a little more of that from one or two of the experienced players.

"It's an area to look at improving in the summer. But when you look at where Everton have been in previous seasons and where they are now, we have to take it with a bit of context. Everton are still in a great position - ninth and touching distance of a European spot. You have a target in mind."

Listen to Beckford from 1:20:00 here

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