Everton boss Marco Silva has urged his players to move on from the perceived injustice of their dramatic defeat at Brighton and focus on securing Carabao Cup progression.
Silva admitted his players were left dejected in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 3-2 loss on the south coast after controversially becoming the first Premier League club to concede a penalty awarded by VAR.
The Portuguese coach has been given little time to lift his team and will be keen for a swift response when his former club Watford visit Goodison Park for the fourth-round tie on Tuesday evening.
“The next game is a different competition and if we have a goal, an ambition to go until the end, to the final, we have to win,” said Silva, speaking after being beaten at the Amex Stadium.
“It is our obligation (to lift the players), we have to. Of course, the mood is really low. It is difficult for a football team when we felt we did a big effort, we did everything that we should do.
1/12 Premier League Team of the Week – October 25-27
AP
2/12 Tim Krul
Beaten three times, but saved two penalties and made countless other impressive stops
Getty Images
3/12 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Constant incredible delivery from the right and drove Liverpool’s comeback win over Spurs
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
4/12 Chris Basham
Strong in the air and frequently in the right place to keep West Ham at bay
REUTERS
5/12 Çağlar Söyüncü
Used the ball well from the back but got through plenty of defensive work to keep a clean sheet, too
Getty Images
6/12 Ben Chilwell
A constant outlet for Leicester, he made and took on chances in equal measure. A goal and two assists
Getty Images
7/12 Fabinho
After the first 60 seconds was rarely beaten, kept Liverpool on the front foot and was a rock-solid platform for the attack
AP
8/12 Kevin De Bruyne
A relentless creative presence from midfield, hard working and inventive both centrally and in the channel
EPA
9/12 Ayoze Perez
No league goals before the game, then a hat-trick in the space of 38 minutes. Great movement and finishing
AP
10/12 Christian Pulisic
Another hat-trick hero, he made a huge case for himself with a skillful and devastating display
PA
11/12 Anthony Martial
Returned to form and fitness with a hugely impressive performance, scoring one and missing a penalty
Manchester United via Getty Imag
12/12 Jamie Vardy
Our third and final hat-trick scorer this weekend, he took his goals in typically clinical fashion
Getty Images
1/12 Premier League Team of the Week – October 25-27
AP
2/12 Tim Krul
Beaten three times, but saved two penalties and made countless other impressive stops
Getty Images
3/12 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Constant incredible delivery from the right and drove Liverpool’s comeback win over Spurs
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
4/12 Chris Basham
Strong in the air and frequently in the right place to keep West Ham at bay
REUTERS
5/12 Çağlar Söyüncü
Used the ball well from the back but got through plenty of defensive work to keep a clean sheet, too
Getty Images
6/12 Ben Chilwell
A constant outlet for Leicester, he made and took on chances in equal measure. A goal and two assists
Getty Images
7/12 Fabinho
After the first 60 seconds was rarely beaten, kept Liverpool on the front foot and was a rock-solid platform for the attack
AP
8/12 Kevin De Bruyne
A relentless creative presence from midfield, hard working and inventive both centrally and in the channel
EPA
9/12 Ayoze Perez
No league goals before the game, then a hat-trick in the space of 38 minutes. Great movement and finishing
AP
10/12 Christian Pulisic
Another hat-trick hero, he made a huge case for himself with a skillful and devastating display
PA
11/12 Anthony Martial
Returned to form and fitness with a hugely impressive performance, scoring one and missing a penalty
Manchester United via Getty Imag
12/12 Jamie Vardy
Our third and final hat-trick scorer this weekend, he took his goals in typically clinical fashion
Getty Images
“For them (the players), it is really difficult to understand why it happened against us but you have to respect the decision, you have to keep going.”
Everton, leading 2-1, were on course for a first league away win since March when Michael Keane was penalised for inadvertently stepping on the foot of Brighton forward Aaron Connolly following VAR intervention.
Silva, who saw Neal Maupay’s penalty equaliser compounded by a stoppage-time own goal from Lucas Digne, criticised the inconsistency of the match officials after Richarlison was not given a spot-kick for a pull by Martin Montoya.
In addition to the morale-sapping defeat in Sussex, preparation for the Watford clash has been hit by the serious injury suffered by Bernard.
Scans have shown the Brazilian winger suffered ligament damage to his right knee against the Seagulls and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.
Centre-back Yerry Mina could return to contention after missing out at the weekend with a minor knee issue.
PA
