Silva Says Fortress Goodison Key To Toffees Progress

Marco Silva says it is crucial Everton continue to make Goodison Park a fortress after they wrapped up a 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday afternoon. The Toffees recorded their fifth successive Premier League win on home soil when overcoming the Hornets and Silva is well aware of the importance of a strong home record if they are to continue improving as a club.

Bernard’s 10th-minute strike was all that separated the sides, Everton holding on to claim a 1-0 victory with some resolute defence and some moments of fortune. “We want to make Goodison a fortress,” Silva said. “I’m really proud of our record and our players, the numbers are fantastic for us.

“We’ve had six cleans sheets at home, five wins in a row and 10 clean sheets in the last 13 (league) games (overall). Our home record in the last six games is fantastic. “Our players are working really hard. Not just the goalkeeper and the back-line, but everyone is working really hard.”

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Everton certainly had some nervy moments before the game was up. Watford defender Craig Dawson headed against the bar while Troy Deeney’s shot clattered off goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s face after going through one-on-one as the Toffees sealed their first Premier League victory of the campaign.

Crucial to their recent success on Merseyside has been their miserly back-line, with clean sheets in each of their last six top-flight fixtures at home and now Silva wants more goals at the other end. “Now the next step is to do the same in the other box,” he added.

“We are creating chances, but now is the time for us to be more assertive.”
Watford remain without a point or goal after two matches this season, having been stunned 3-0 in their curtain-raiser by Brighton last weekend.

However head coach Javi Gracia was not too despondent after the game and was much happier with the performance his side put in, even though the result was not the one they were after. “I am disappointed with the result not the performance,” he said. “In my opinion we deserved something.

If you don’t score in the moment when you dominate the game then you get punished. “I am happy with the performance knowing we have things to improve. We have played only two games, last season we won four in a row. Now we have to be calm and prepare in the same way next game. “With the quality of our players I am sure we will play better in the next games.”