The Everton gaffer admitted that Manchester City were much better than his team but he has commended Alex Iwobi and the rest of the squad for putting in a good fight to make the Citizens work hard for the maximum points.
The Toffees fought back from starting poorly, losing Theo Walcott to a head injury just as the the first half began, and conceding a goal to head into the half time break on leveled scores.
Alex Iwobi, who came on to replace the injured Walcott after just 4 minutes, did well to pre-assist the home side’s equalizer and was key as Everton started the second half brightly.
City’s quality eventually shown through as, after Everton missed a couple of decent chances, Mahrez and Sterling scored to put the result beyond Marco Silva’s men.
“Manchester City were better than us until the first goal but we showed a reaction and the desire to challenge them to try to get a different result,” Silva told evertontv.
“The reaction was really good, we equalised and the game was more balanced.
“Our players showed that desire to react and challenge them.
“Then the second half was better.
“We spoke at half-time about being more aggressive in our organisation and in the challenge.
“The reaction after City scored the free-kick was very good again and we had two big chances.
“We have to keep the attitude and desire we showed in the second half.
“In this way, we will score and get results in the next games. From good results confidence will come and everything will be different.”
“We did not have the ball so much against City and it is not easy to create chances against them – but we created chances to score more goals,” added Silva.
“We reacted really well, not just in this game but on Tuesday as well.
“We showed that desire and different things, playing a bit more direct, looking more for the opponents’ box.
“We didn’t get the most important thing, the result. But we got some positives from the game.
“They were more clinical and got the result.
“We possibly deserved more from the game than we got.”
Alex Iwobi replaced Walcott who was stretchered off after just minutes into the encounter and Silva has admitted that, despite Iwobi’s fine display, Walcott would have given the Toffees a different edge.
“Something can always happen, we had a plan with Theo for the space we knew City would give behind their left-back,” added Silva.
“With Theo Walcott’s directness we could have exploited that.
“Alex Iwobi came on and did well.
“But it is never good when you have a plan and have to change something one or two minutes into the game.”
