Pedro Neto scored his first double in a Premier League game as Everton saw their unbeaten start to the season brought to an end by Chelsea
James Tarkowski talks with teferee Paul Tierney during Everton's defeat to Chelsea
James Tarkowski talks with teferee Paul Tierney during Everton's defeat to Chelsea(Image: (Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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James Tarkowski believes Everton paid the price for defensive lapses against Chelsea. The Blues saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end on Saturday when a Pedro Neto double in the second half secured Xabi Alonso’s side all three points.
Both goals could have been prevented, though, and Everton captain Tarkowski said: “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.
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“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.”
On the two goals Neto scored, the centre-back 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.
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“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.”
James Tarkowski during Everton's defeat to Chelsea
James Tarkowski during Everton's defeat to Chelsea(Image: (Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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Everton return to action against Arsenal on Saturday and Tarkowski has called on his side to bounce back like 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.”
Everton boss David Moyes
Meanwhile, Chelsea have confirmed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone “successful” surgery on a fractured jaw.
Martinez was taken to hospital after colliding with the Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the second half.
In an update on Sunday, Chelsea said in a statement: “Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has undergone successful surgery on a fractured jaw. Everyone at Chelsea wishes Emi a speedy recovery and will support him throughout.”
While in his own update from his hospital bed, Martinez said: “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.”