Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Bruno Lage knew hat his side were going to have to rise to the physical challenge a beleaguered Everton team posed.
Scrapping for Premier League survival, Frank Lampard’s side came into today’s clash against Wolves off the back of a 5-0 hammering against Tottenham Hotspur.
With three wins from his first four games in charge at Goodison Park, Lampard would have been hoping the Toffees faithful would inspire his side to a crucial three points.
There wasn’t much between the two sides in the first half, but Lage has given an insight into what he told his players during the 15-minute interval.
Speaking via BBC Sport, Lage said: “It was a fight because they are a big team with top players. Lampard has a lot of experience now as a manager.
“[Following the defeat] 5-0 they come to be aggressive, they come to press and give a good answer in front of their fans.
“After we controlled that and the plan worked well. Sometimes the plan goes right and today it was like that.”
Lage’s words of wisdom must of resonated with his players because four minutes into the second half and Conor Coady headed home a Ruben Neves cross to silence the home crowd.
Everton’s woes were compounded with Jonjoe Kenny being sent off with 15 minutes remaining.
The victory moved Wolves above Spurs and up into seventh place.
The Portuguese manager was delighted with his side’s performance and he felt the display should be used as a benchmark as we enter the business end of the season.
Bruno Lage concluded: “Today I am very happy. That is the way we need to play every game, or try to. Sometimes when you lose it is important to continue to focus. We did that and after three defeats, two victories. Very good.”
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