Everton captain James Tarkowski believes defensive lapses were the reason his side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea on Saturday, a result that ended the Blues' unbeaten start to the season. Pedro Neto scored his first Premier League double to secure all three points for Xabi Alonso's side.
Costly Mistakes Prove Decisive
Tarkowski admitted both goals could have been prevented, telling the Liverpool Echo: "I thought it was a close game. There wasn't loads in it either way."
"I know they're a top side – especially in their attack. They've scored a lot of goals this season, but I thought for a lot of the game we dealt with that really well," he added.
"They were disappointing goals. It's always tough conceding right at the start of the second half. I thought we were right in there, but it's just the details in the end."
Neto's Double Punishes Everton
Analysing the two goals, Tarkowski said: "We knew the way they were going to get wide and pull the ball back a lot. In the first half, we dealt with that well.
"We didn't manage to do that [for the first goal]. We didn't manage to get numbers back in the box – and we got punished for it."
"The second goal, it feels a bit flukey at the time – to defend a free-kick so well initially, and then to fall at their lad's foot. We got punished, and it's a shame because I didn't think there was a lot in the game."
Martinez Undergoes Surgery
Meanwhile, Chelsea confirmed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone "successful" surgery on a fractured jaw. Martinez was taken to hospital after colliding with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half.
In a statement on Sunday, Chelsea said: "Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone successful surgery on a fractured jaw. Everyone at Chelsea wishes Emi a speedy recovery and will support him throughout."
Martinez also posted his own update from hospital, saying: "Thanks to everyone for the messages, the operation went well. The most important thing is that we won and with a bow at. We'll be back in a few weeks."
Looking Ahead to Arsenal
Everton return to action against Arsenal on Saturday, and Tarkowski has called on his side to respond as they did last season. He said: "It was our first defeat, so we can't be too down. It's a long season. You're going to suffer setbacks at times, and this is one of them."
"Last season, we dealt with setbacks pretty well and we always responded nicely, so let's look forward to next week against another top side. Hopefully, we can prepare well this week and put a performance in."
