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Reports: Everton call emergency board meeting as Benitez stands firm

Everton have reportedly called an emergency board meeting, with the future of manager Rafa Benite...



Everton have reportedly called an emergency board meeting, with the future of manager Rafa Benitez high on their agenda. 

The Toffees have gone eight games without a win, following Wednesday night's 4-1 mauling at the hands of Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Goodison.

There were chants of 'sack the board' from the faithful few who remained at full-time, and they've seemingly gotten to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright.

He's summoned the board for talks, as the club hovers just five-points above the dropzone.

On Thursday, Everton's owner Farhad Moshiri was asked by Talksport host Jim White if he still backed Benitez, despite their recent run.

"Yes", was his reply, adding, "Football is about crisis one day and glory the following day. Rafa is a good manager and underperformance is largely due to the injuries.

“’Next two weeks, we will get to a full squad and, in the meantime, results will improve.

“’Rafa needs time to have his mark on the squad. He will be supported to add depth to the squad. Managers need time.

“’I have no doubt that we will have a strong second-half to the season’.”

Benitez himself is confident of turning things around at Goodison.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal, the former Liverpool boss said, ""We are disappointed. We are really disappointed.

"In terms of the game, it's a derby and it's more emotional. But we are really disappointed in the way things are going on.

"At the same time, and I have the numbers, we were running more than Liverpool in every single department. Distance, sprints - everything.

"But, we conceded four goals. That means they have very good players and punished our mistakes. We made mistakes, they punished us and it's something we are already analysing.

"I have the belief, and I told them a lot of times, that we will do well in the second part of the league.

"Now is a time we have to stick together, and go to January in the best position that we can. In terms of commitment, we're working really hard and you can't complain about that.

"You can complain about mistakes, our quality, decisions - things like that. But not about commitment, and it's a frustrating time for us.

"We have to keep going and work really hard. I have experience in situations like that, to fight for titles and to try and avoid relegation.

"My experience is telling me to stay calm, keep working hard, try to correct the mistakes - and then keep going and stick together.

"That is really important, if we appreciate what we want is to stick together that's crucial."

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Bill Kenwright Everton Farhad Moshiri Rafa Benitez