Koeman: Barkley needed to 'take responsibility'

Everton boss Ronald Koeman feels Ross Barkley needed to ‘take responsibility’, following his side's 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.

The former Southampton manager admitted that the English midfielder proved he was a ‘very good player’ despite being substituted against Sunderland on Monday night.

Everton fell behind in the 21^st minute after Maarten Stekelenburg bundled into his own net following a strong challenge from Alfredo Negredo, before Gareth Barry equalised on his 600^th appearance after he finished well at the back-post.

Seamus Coleman put the Merseysiders ahead when he smartly finished past Victor Valdes after a great assist from Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku killed of the tie in the 45^th minute when he got the slightest of touches on a wicked Yannick Bolasie cross.

"The reaction I got from him today was very good and that's the Barkley I expect. We know his qualities but sometimes in his football he is too sloppy and he loses easy balls,” Koeman told BT sport.

“If he plays like he did today, we don't change him. He's not a young player anymore. He needs to take responsibility but he showed today that he is a very good player."

The Everton manager was also impressed with his side’s performance and how the fusion of new players have helped improve the Blues.

"Once again our start was not good. It was not aggressive enough, we were not pressing enough. We have really improved a lot physically and we've brought in a lot of players with energy. “said Koeman.

There is more belief, spirit and the team works well together. That's been the big difference in my opinion.”

Everton sit second in the Premier League, two points of leaders Manchester City.

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