Sky Sports mistake fan for Huddersfield's new manager
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An early goal by Richarlison gave 10-man Everton a 1-0 win at bottom team Huddersfield Town after the visitors had substitute Lucas Digne sent off in a dour Premier League clash on Tuesday.
Everton moved up to eighth on 33 points from 24 games while Huddersfield stay rooted to the foot of the table with 11 points after losing for the 10th time in their last 11 league games.
It was also a sour debut for Huddersfield's new manager Jan Siewert, who took over from German compatriot David Wagner last week after catching the Yorkshire club's eye as Borussia Dortmund's reserve team coach.
Everton manager Marco Silva was pleased with the outcome which lifted the Toffees into the top half of the table.
"Three points away from home and a clean sheet was important to boost our confidence," he told the BBC.
"The main thing was to win, to do everything to get the three points and give a big answer to ourselves and our fans."
Siewert was still confident Huddersfield could launch a fightback to stay in the top flight.
"The most important thing is we create chances and the goals will come," he said. "The lads got my ideas and we had chances.
"We shouldn't find excuses. We need to focus. It's a process which has started. I saw many things I implemented in training. We had several very positive moments and we need to focus on them."
With chances few and far between, the contest was settled in the third minute when Richarlison scrambled the ball home past Jonas Lossl from close range after the Huddersfield goalkeeper blocked the Brazilian's first attempt.
Following Digne's 66th-minute dismissal for a professional foul on Adama Diakhaby, Aaron Mooy went close to equalising but Everton keeper Jordan Pickford produced a superb save to keep out the Australian forward's free kick.
Pickford came to Everton's rescue again in the 79th minute when he clawed out an Elias Kachunga header as the visitors were forced to hang on in the closing stages.
Silva praised Pickford and the rest of his Everton team for solid defending after Digne was dismissed.
"One free-kick, one header, but they didn't create anything more. He (Pickford) did well in those two moments. They didn't create a big number of chances even when we had 10 men."
Reuters
What time does it start?
Huddersfield vs Everton kicks off at 7.45pm on Tuesday 29 January.
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Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live in the UK. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.45pm on Wednesday on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Idrissa Gueye: After Everton rejected the advances of PSG for Gueye, it will be interesting to see whether this has had any effect on the Senegalese man. Will his head have been turned at the prospect of paying for a top European club?
PSG are looking to bring the midfielder to Paris (REUTERS)
Best stat…
3: Siewert will become the third German manager in Premier League history when he takes charge of his first game on Tuesday.
Player to watch…
Gylfi Sigurdsson: The Icelandic playmaker has had involvement in four goals in his side’s last six games and is enjoying a fine season in front of goal too, with nine in total. He will need to be stopped if Huddersfield are to stand a chance of winning.
Past three meetings…
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin) Huddersfield 1 (Billing), Premier League, September 2018
Huddersfield 0 Everton 2 (Tosun, Gueye), Premier League, April 2018
Everton 2 (Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin) Huddersfield 0, Premier League, December 2017
It has been two days of twists, turns and tumult in the North West, with Rafa Benitez stirring the pot yesterday with some choice words about his future (or lack thereof) with the club.
Perhaps the timing of positive news on the transfer-front is a little too convenient, then. Newcastle host Manchester City this evening:
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