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Koeman: Barkley important for us
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has insisted Ross Barkley is an "important player" following the 23-year-old’s late equaliser in his side’s 2-2 draw with Hull Tigers at the KCOM stadium.
Barkley headed in from a Leighton Baines cross in the 84th minute, and despite the midfielder’s recent exclusion from the starting eleven, the former Southampton coach feels Barkley is an important figure for his team.
Everton came from behind twice after Michael Dawson’s early opener which was cancelled out by a David Marshall own-goal. Before Robert Snodgrass struck a wonderful free-kick in the 65th minute into the top-corner.
"I’m really pleased about our performance. I wasn’t happy with our slow start but we showed a really good attitude and reaction twice," Koeman told the BBC.
"We played good football and created a lot of opportunities. We could have stopped the first goal but not the second. The team showed good spirit. We needed a bit more luck like Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late header because that was three points.
"Ross Barkley is an important player for the team. He showed his quality. He had a good performance.
"We like to keep the momentum after the win against Leicester. Two away games, four points is good."
Barkley, and Everton will look to build on tonight’s performance when they host Southampton at Goodison Park on the 2nd of January.
Image/GettyImages/GarethCopley
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