Carlo Ancelotti has explained the reasoning behind James Rodriguez being substituted in Everton's draw with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Monday evening.
The Colombia international was making his first appearance since the 2-0 win at Anfield and put in a strong performance throughout his time on the pitch, capped with the opening goal in the 56th minute.
The playmaker finished brilliantly with his right foot from Seamus Coleman's pull-back after good interplay between Lucas Digne and Richarlison on the left flank had set up the chance for the hosts.
Rodriguez was taken off in the 79th minute to be replaced by the returning Jean-Philippe Gbamin, but Palace bagged their equaliser seven minutes later through Michy Batshuayi.
Ancelotti explained that Rodriguez was tired having not got many minutes under his belt in recent weeks.
The Everton manager told his post-match press conference: "He was only tired.
"I think he had a fantastic effort. It was a long time that he was not playing, he helped the team a lot, he scored a goal, he played a fantastic match.
"At the end he didn't have a lot of energy, so to avoid a problem I took him out."
A point for Everton leaves them in eighth place in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth place but with a game in hand on some of the rivals around them.
