Fleetwood Town boss enjoys Everton comments

The Italian’s Everton side ultimately prevailed 5-2 in the third round tie at Fleetwood, though Town did their utmost to take the game to their Premier League visitors in the second half.

And head coach Barton revealed that earned some praise from opposite number.

Barton said: “He spoke to me about how well we played and how we tried to play the right way. He felt we put them under good pressure in the second half and we’d got back in it at 2-1 and 3-2.

“Carlo’s brilliant. He’s a top- class manager and I told him I hope he now goes on undefeated for the rest of the season. As an Evertonian that would be great for me to see.”

Post-match questions for Ancelotti largely concerned Jordan Pickford after the England keeper was criticised over both Fleetwood goals.

The Blues boss said: “I think the first goal was not an individual mistake. We passed the ball back to Jordan and it was a really difficult ball. I didn’t speak to him. I have to speak with the players that were involved. He was not the only one.”