Koeman hopes Barkley can kick on after Everton leveller

Ronald Koeman wants Ross Barkley to take heart from his performance against Hull City after his goal helped earn Everton earn a point.

Once labelled the new Paul Gascoigne, Barkley has come in for criticism from some quarters this season, while he has also been linked with a move away from Goodison Park in the January transfer window.

(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

However he put in a lively showing in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate, and scored his third Premier League goal of the season when he headed in Leighton Baines’ cross with six minutes remaining at the KCOM Stadium.

And Koeman believes the game can act as a catalyst for Barkley going into 2017.

“I hope that goal really gives Ross a boost,” said Koeman. “He was that player that we expect in his position.

“We spoke about being more dangerous in front of the goal and to have better offensive movements and he was really important in the final part of attacking and scored an important goal for 2-2 in the second half.

“He was dangerous and was that player we need to have that better support for our strikers.

“We need productivity and we created a lot and that is one of the positives we take from it.”