Wednesday, 16th April, 2014
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has admitted that his side's 3-2 home defeat against Crystal Palace is a result which hurts.
With Arsenal having beaten West Ham yesterday to leapfrog Everton into fourth spot in the Premier League, the Toffees were looking for a response and three vital points to reclaim the final Champions League place in style.
But Martinez, along with the Everton fans at Goodison Park, was left disappointed.
Palace took the lead in the first half through Jason Puncheon before doubling their lead when Scott Dann headed home in the 49th minute.
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Everton did hit back through Steven Naismith just after the hour mark, but the visitors restored their two-goal cushion when Cameron Jerome found the back of the net, driving the ball home.
Kevin Mirallas then scored a late consolation for Everton. But the Toffees had lost and it is advantage Arsenal in the race for fourth place, as Martinez well knows.
"It's a real disappointment, a result which is hurtful", the Spaniard was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"The first half we were fearful, the way we conceded the first goal shows that. They didn't have the threat to score three goals. We conceded bad goals.
"The reaction in the second half was ourselves, that was perfect and we were unfortunate not to get something out of the game. But we get ready for the next four games."
And Martinez believes that wanting victory so much also worked against Everton, calling for his side to learn from the experience.
"We wanted to win so much that we stopped being ourselves and that is what we have to learn from."
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