Roberto Martinez disappointed with Everton's defending against Liverpool

Roberto Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez was disappointed with his team’s defending from set-pieces as Liverpool snatched a late 3-3 draw in the Merseyside derby.

All three of Liverpool’s goals came from set-pieces with Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez all scoring.

Two of Everton’s goals also came from set-pieces in a frantic game at Goodison Park. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas were the goalscorers for the Blues as they threw away a late lead.

“The disappointment is to concede three set plays, situations where probably the derby atmosphere got the best out on controlling that moment and having the concentration and that gave an incredible reward to Liverpool,” said Martinez.

“It’s fair to say that they had a couple of good opportunities from open play but we had a little more advantageous positions in the final third.

“I do feel to concede that late from a dead ball situation is really, really disappointing and it doesn’t give the reward that I think our team deserved from the second half display.”

Everton’s first scorer, Mirallas, was lucky to stay on the pitch following a rough challenge on Suarez that drew blood from the Uruguayan’s leg.

Martinez thought otherwise, though: “I wouldn’t say so, no. Obviously you’re going to expect that sort of nature of challenges because of what it means and how special the atmosphere is.

“I thought Phil Dowd handled that really well and I didn’t think it was a red card.”

Martinez also touched on Steven Gerrard and believes he should’ve seen red for his challenge on Gareth Barry.

“Steven Gerrard was very, very lucky because that’s a different incident. You don’t use your elbow to try and get someone.”