Ronald Koeman welcomes Romelu Lukaku-Ashley Williams spat
Friday 7 April 2017 15:18, UK
Ronald Koeman has welcomed the public spat at Old Trafford between Everton team-mates Ashley Williams and Romelu Lukaku.
The pair were seen shouting at each other during the second half of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, Lukaku raising a finger to his lips in an attempt to silence Williams.
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But Koeman says the incident is already forgotten heading into this weekend's Super Sunday meeting with Leicester.
"What I like to see is passion and they need to understand we need to support each other, but finally I saw a reaction because in this case I think we are too nice together," Koeman said.
"You have to ask, you have to talk and maybe sometimes you need to shout. I don't have any problem with that because it's also an emotional part.
"The two boys spoke already to each other and there's no problem. I like this because you need to do everything to win the game and after you can be friends, but not on the pitch."
United's late equaliser in midweek left Everton seventh, but the cushion on eighth-placed West Brom is now seven points and Koeman is looking upwards with home games against Leicester and Burnley to come.
"We are fighting for European football, maybe that is something to realise for everybody," he said. "If you finish seventh, it's a really successful season. If we get more out of that, then it's fantastic.
"I expect if we get six points out of the next two home games with Leicester and Burnley that we will fight for the fifth and sixth places."
