Roberto Martinez has defiantly claimed Everton “won the game against Chelsea, it’s as simple as that” in a resolute defence following criticism of Everton’s game-management.
Everton’s game-management has fallen under scrutiny, with BBC’s Match of the Day recently highlighting and analysing the number of dropped points from leading positions;
Since Nov 28th Everton have dropped 11pts from leading positions in 9 games… 6pts more than anyone else #EFC #MOTD pic.twitter.com/szYcwdL8RU
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 16, 2016
But Martinez disagrees.
Martinez: “If we’d have been sitting here with a 3-2 victory it would be a completely different perception. The players don’t deserve to be questioned for their game management.
“Do we need to be more ruthless?
“No. We won the game against Chelsea, it’s as simple as that. We were winning 3-2 when the clock showed 97 minutes and 50 seconds. We should have played 97 minutes and conceded a goal that shouldn’t have been given. It was offside.
“It’s a performance that shows how far we have come this season. We played with real intensity at the Etihad on Wednesday and kept a very good clean sheet and created a good threat.
“On Saturday, to score three goals was a victory that unfortunately has been taken away from us.
“It’s because we are still a young team and sometimes we need to learn how to reflect our good performances in good results.
“We’ve been playing really well consistently this season and that’s a pleasing aspect as a manager, that’s what you want to work towards.
“The other aspect is we haven’t been getting the results we should have done. That’s the next step.
“I don’t think I can use the Chelsea game as an example in that regard.
“But the character we showed when we were brought back to 2-2, any other team would have folded or allowed the home team to have the momentum.
“We never accepted that and went to win the game and got the winning goal, and after that point everything else is out of our hands.”