Martinez impressed with makeshift defence
Everton manager was delighted and also very impressed with the way his makeshift back-four coped against a disjointed Liverpool team in the Merseyside Derby.
Martinez went on to praise Brendan Galloway, Tyias Browning and Ramiro Funes Mori for the way they performed in their first derby match and says it left his with an impressive feeling.
“I thought it was a really, really interesting game,” said Martinez. “Really high tempo, the energy levels were really high.
“From our point of view we’re disappointed that we conceded from a dead ball situation. Those are the moments you have to control well but the reaction that we had to score from open play and the second half we looked a lot stronger.
“I thought we limited Liverpool a lot more, probably we just carried a lot more of a threat. We didn’t get that little bit of a break that you have, [there were] two outstanding saves from Mignolet in the first half.”
“I thought Tim Howard had a very good game as well but overall, in a very tight game, [there were] a huge amount of positives,” Martinez added.
“The reaction, with the way we found a way to control the game in the second half and the way we adjusted tactically.
“Then, more impressively, in such an inexperienced back four, in a derby, it shows the understanding and interaction between the leaders of the team and the experienced players.
“Phil Jagielka, Tim Howard, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy – I thought they were magnificent – then you see the character and personality of players like Tyias Browning, Brendan Galloway and Romiro Funes Mori in their first full debut in a derby, it was impressive feeling that you are left with.”
What were your thoughts on the derby game?
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