The Toffees lost at home for the first time in eight matches on Saturday when Sheffield United made away with a smash and grab win, leaving manager Marco Silva in deep reflective mood.
The Everton boss has explained that lack of incisiveness to puncture Sheffield United’s obdurate rearguard was responsible for the Blues 0-2 defeat to the Premier League newcomers.
Yerry Mina conceded an own goal off Oliver Norwood’s corner five minutes before half-time to put the visitors in front against the run of play at Goodison Park.
Lys Mousset then sprang forward on the counter and steer in the Blades' second goal with 11 minutes remaining as Everton sought a leveller.
“It was a tough game for us… we didn't deserve the result but football is what it is and when you make mistakes like we did this afternoon, even if you deserve something more, you don’t achieve it,” Silva told Everton's official website as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“Unfortunately for us, in the past two games the mistakes have come too often and created some extra pressure and extra instability that are not normal in our team, or for the level we want to play.
Nigeria playmaker Alex Iwobi started on the bench but was introduced early in the second half with the home side chasing the game. But the away side stayed compact at the back, preventing the former Gunners forward from influencing the game.
“Sheffield United came here to play in a different way from their past two away games – more back, not high, respecting our team,” Silva added.
“In those situations we have to show not just quality but enough mobility to disorganise them, and then take the right decisions.
“We did that in some moments, of course not so often as I want. But we looked in some moments as if we could score.”
Before the weekend's defeat, Silva’s side had won their previous six home matches and were unbeaten in seven on their own ground.
