Lucas: “Let’s fight. There is only this option”

Lucas Moura is staying positive.

That’s not to say the Brazilian’s naturally exuberant outlook hasn’t dimmed slightly after a couple of tough results at Newcastle and at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

But Lucas will always look forward. It’s the only way for the man from Sao Paolo.

“Yes, tough times, a tough period for us, but there is only one way and that’s to work, to fight until the end, because it’s still possible to finish well this season,” Lucas told us exclusively after training on Wednesday.

“Even if it’s very difficult at the moment, let’s fight. There is only this option. We need to look forward and not look behind. The last few games were difficult, but one thing that is good in football is that you always have another chance to do something different. We have a game on Friday, we can win and then we are back again. That’s it. We need to fight until the end.”

Everton are next in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Friday evening (8pm) and fans won’t need reminding of our last visit to the blue half of Merseyside, a thrilling performance but ultimately a 5-4 defeat in the FA Cup back in February.

“We need to remember what we did well in that game,” said Lucas, who has racked up another 45 appearances in all competitions so far this season. “It’s true we cannot concede five goals, but we are capable of going there, playing well and getting the three points.

“As I said, Sunday was tough. I was hurt after the game because we all knew how important it was, but we don’t have time to cry, we have another game on Friday and we need to win. We stay positive, work and fight, that’s the only option.”