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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Stuart James at the King Power Stadium

Roberto Martínez criticises Everton team but praises Matthew Pennington

Matthew Pennington
Matthew Pennington conceded a penalty against Jamie Vardy here but his overall performance was impressive. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

Roberto Martínez’s future at Everton appears increasingly bleak and issued a damning assessment of his team’s latest woeful performance byhe admitting that Matthew Pennington, a 21-year-old academy graduate who was recently recalled from a loan spell at Walsall, was the only player to emerge from the 3-1 defeat at Leicester with his reputation intact.

“We played last week and we had all the attributes you need to win a football game,” Martínez said. “Saturday is a contrasting performance, we got caught up into what was a celebration for the home team and we didn’t look ready.

“A young player who could maybe have been caught by the occasion was Matty Pennington and he was the only player who played with intent, with meaning and desire and it is a shame no one else on the pitch could match that focus.”

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