Eerton manager Roberto Martinez is confident his side
can finish fourth in the Premier League despite suffering a "hurtful"
3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Wednesday. After winning their
last seven league matches, Everton's confidence should have been high, but they
failed to get going against Tony Pulis's Palace and the result left them fifth
in the table on 66 points from 34 matches. File photo of Everton manager
Roberto Martinez. Reuters "The reaction is of disappointment," Martinez
told reporters. "The result is a hurtful one because of the expectation
that we had and the desire that we brought into the game." With four games
remaining, Everton trail fourth-placed Arsenal by a point but boast a superior
goal difference. Despite potentially tricky games to come against Manchester
City and Manchester United, Martinez believes his side can finish in the top
four for the first time since 2005. "We have 12 points to play for, we are
close to fourth place and we are still in a good position," he said.
"I don't think Arsenal will take maximum points from their remaining
games. "After the weekend (dropping out of the top four) is a
disappointment, but if you looked at the start of the season, it's a
magnificent position." Goals from Jason Puncheon and Scott Dann put Palace
2-0 up at Goodison Park before substitute Steven Naismith pulled one back for
Everton. Cameron Jerome's strike restored Palace's two-goal advantage and
despite Kevin Mirallas' late goal, Martinez was left to rue his side's first-half
performance. "In the first half we played with a bit of wanting to win so
much that we forgot about simple basics," added the Spaniard. "In the
second half, it was completely different. We were positive and back to being
ourselves. "I felt we were unfortunate not to get a draw after the chances
we created." "The way we finished the second half gives me great
optimism we can finish the season strongly."
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