Jake O’Brien urged the side to look at the positive after Everton’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
First-half goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto saw the Toffees lose away from home after consecutive wins over Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. The overwhelming feeling in the aftermath of the contest was one of regret for not capitalizing on their chances.
Iliman Ndiaye struck the far post while Jack Grealish, Thierno Barry and James Tarkowski also had chances in the first half after Chelsea’s opener.
Speaking on the missed chances, O’Brien said, “A very disappointing result, but I think our performance wasn’t that bad. I think at times we played well, and we created chances and, on another day, we take them.
“We just gave them two goals at the start and it kind of killed us for the rest of the game.
“I mean, we’ll go back and look at it. I think we got in good positions and, as I said, on another day, we take them and it’s a whole different game.
“But, yes, the performance wasn’t bad today. I’m disappointed by the result, but I think there are positives to take from the result today. We can bring that into next week.”
The upcoming weeks are going to be a stern test for the side with key players Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye leaving to join the Senegal national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament, set to be held in Morocco, begins on December 21. The final is scheduled on January 18.
“[They’re] two huge losses,” continued the Everton defender. “I think they’ve both been brilliant this season, but it’s an opportunity for those who aren’t starting to come in and take a place.
“We’ve brilliant players on the bench who can come in and do a job, as well.”
Everton are temporarily eighth in the table following their loss to Enzo Maresca’s side. With five wins in their last seven games, the Irish international believes there’s a lot of progress to be made and the Toffees can move up the table.
“It’s where we want to be,” added O’Brien. “And it’s these types of games that it’s disappointing because we can move on up the table again.
“But there’s loads of games coming up and I think it’s important that we’re going into them positive and knowing that we can get results and points from them.”