Ryan: We have to set our standards higher

Maty Ryan’s generosity in donating 500 Australian dollars for every save made in the Premier League this weekend will help those suffering from the bush fires back home.

Bruce Talbot

2020-01-13T06:00:00Z

Maty Ryan in action at Goodison Park.

But the Albion keeper would happily have made 20 saves at Goodison Park on Saturday had it helped his team get something from the game at Everton.

Instead, he was beaten by Richarlison’s first-half strike, as Albion went down 1-0 despite going close to an equaliser after the break.

He said, “It’s disappointing to come away from home again with no reward for our efforts.

"It’s happened on a few occasions this season when we haven’t got the result our efforts deserved, but that’s the quality of this league. We have to set our standards higher and improve so we can come to places like Everton and get a result.

“This league is so tight, there is hardly any margin for error. If you don’t do the right things enough times, you get punished. We knocked on the door, but we just couldn’t take one of those opportunities, and that is the difference.”

Maty Ryan makes a one-handed save.

Ryan says he was ‘nearly celebrating’ when Glenn Murray put a late chance agonisingly wide, and was full of praise for the striker’s contribution after coming on in the second half.

“Glenn has that ability to get into goalscoring positions and he did that again,” added Ryan. “The header forced a great save and I thought his lob at the end was going in, and I was nearly celebrating but it went just past the post. That was the difference in the end, it just didn’t go in for us.”

Ryan raised $A55,000 - around £29,250 - after all the saves from the weekend's Premier League

“The country is hurting, and I wanted to lend a helping hand to those who have been affected and influence some people along the way. Optus Sports back home donated $1,000 per goal, so what better way to incentivise us goalkeepers and resonate with football fans and get them to make a donation.

“Every donation helps no matter big or small will go a long way towards helping. It’s been great to get a response and we thank everyone for their generosity.”