Monday 6 October 2014 13:24, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez felt David de Gea was the difference as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Having fallen behind to Angel di Maria’s 27th-minute effort, De Gea denied Leighton Baines from equalising in first-half stoppage time as he pushed away the full-back’s penalty.
Steven Naismith did equalise after the break as he met Baines’ cross to head beyond De Gea, but Radamel Falcao restored United’s lead after 62 minutes.
The Toffees threw men forward in search of a late equaliser but there was no way past an inspired De Gea, who produced outstanding late saves to keep out strikes from Leon Osman and Bryan Oviedo.
"It was a fantastic game of football. We gave everything we had and played with real intensity," Martinez told Everton’s official website.
"We were slow early on and I don’t think we could get our rhythm. But we showed character and didn’t show disappointment after the penalty.
"The players don’t deserve the feeling they are sharing now. In football these things happen and De Gea was the man of the match and the difference in the scoreline.
"Everyone in the ground was waiting for the net to bulge when Osman and Oviedo had those chances.
"He [De Gea] had an outstanding performance which stopped us from a positive scoreline. We played right to the end with a lot of energy and effort.
"It was such a fantastic game of football and both teams tried to win the match in a fair manner."
However, Martinez was critical of the officiating at Old Trafford as Falcao scored United’s second shortly after Steven Pienaar had gone down injured, with Everton wanting to replace him.
Martinez said: "Steven Pienaar receives a knock and has to come off. He goes to ground and the ball is in front of him – it’s not like it was in the 18 yard box or final third.
"The referee was well aware and talking to the fourth official. I just don’t understand the decision.
"If we were a team that tried to run the clock down or have a negative roll in the game I would have understood it but it was a moment to allow us to change a player and allow a substitute to come on. That’s the end of it.
"I just felt that we then lost concentration a little bit, Manchester United attacked and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
"I didn’t feel that was fair at all and in our league this is not a way we approach games."
