James Tarkowski has called on Everton to not let their defeat to Manchester United ruin their season and hailed the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal as United came from behind to secure all three points at Goodison Park. Alex Iwobi had given the Blues the lead in the fifth minute.
Buoyed by two straight Premier League victories, and without tasting defeat in seven matches in all competitions, optimism was high in the Everton camp heading into the game, but individual mistakes proved costly for Frank Lampard’s side.
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For United’s first goal, Idrissa Gueye failed to control a pass, Bruno Fernandes robbed him and quickly fed Anthony Martial, who in turn set free Antony, who then finished past Jordan Pickford. While goal number two for Erik ten Hag’s side arrived when Iwobi was robbed by Casemiro, who in turn released Ronaldo, who raced clear before firing past Pickford.
“I think it is obvious, we gave them the ball in dangerous positions and they are probably one of the worst teams to play against and do that with the players they have got,” Tarkowski said.
“We were fully aware going into the game that if we didn’t keep the ball and gifted it to them like we did we was going to get punished, which is what happened.
“They had a lot of the ball in the first half and we couldn’t quite get our press right, but they still didn’t break us down too often.
“But we got punished for giving the ball away so softly and it needs to be looked at. But we have been playing well and have been in a good place, and we still are in a good place, it was just a disappointing 45 minutes.
“There is a good feeling here and you can see from the fans at the end, they were right with us.
"There is a lot of games ahead and one 45 minutes isn’t going to ruin our season. So we look forward to the weekend and prepare well like we have done this season and hopefully a better performance.”
However, there was one positive for Everton and that was the return of forward Calvert-Lewin. The England international, who suffered a knee injury in the week leading into the opening game of the 2022/23 campaign, had been carefully managed on his rehabilitation back to full fitness.
But now back avaliaible for the Blues, Tarkowski believes Calvert-Lewin's return offers the side even more attacking options and explained why the 25-year-old is so important.
He said: “It is massive for us, it is massive. Neal has been class and we need options. But having Dom back there everyone knows what he is about.
“He’s a goalscorer and he’s a threat in the air. His hold up play is good and he is a great character as well. Players like that are important for us.
“The lads are around him and he’s mentally strong, but it is difficult. Injuries are one of the worst parts of the game. He’s stuck at it and hopefully he stays fit now for us.”
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