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Coyle's Everton Review

Posted on: Sat 20 Mar 2010

Owen Coyle was left thinking what might have been as Wanderers fell to a 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

The Manager felt that his team were on course for a hard-earned point up until Gretar Steinsson's sending off in the second-half with Mikael Arteta scoring from the subsequent free-kick.

Coyle was again pleased with his players' efforts and how they matched in-form Everton, who are on course for European qualification with their recent run of good result on home soil.

"We are disappointed to have left with nothing," said Coyle. "I felt that we more than matched a side that is flying high at the moment and ultimately the sending off proved to be the big turning point.

"We looked comfortable in the match and had some great chances to take the lead. It was a contentious decision which took us down to ten men and further punishment was Arteta scoring with the free-kick.

"Even at 1-0 with ten men we still had opportunities to get back in the game. We are applied ourselves and the lads gave everything, and there is no doubt in my mind that we should have left with a point.

"We carried on the fight, accepting that Everton had chances and I felt we offered an awful lot to the game. But Everton are a quality side and they have won seven on the bounce at home in the league.

"Again, I was delighted with the effort and the application that the lads showed today. We have a tremendous spirit in the club.

"We are in terrific form at the Reebok and if we show the spirit and desire that we did today, and our undoubted quality, then that will serve us well."