Everton manager Marco Silva has defended under-fire winger Theo Walcott.
Walcott came in for stern criticism in the wake of the Blues’ defeat to Manchester United last weekend after failing to track back for the hosts’ decisive second goal.
Jordan Pickford and Seamus Coleman appeared to lead on-field condemnation of the former Arsenal player with a heated on-field exchange at Old Trafford.
But Silva, speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to Goodison Park, has denied that the Everton duo rounded on their teammate.
He said: “For sure, Jordan and Coleman didn’t do that. In a moment, Jordan can be commanding but they are team-mates, they are a team.
“Of course it is what I want, everyone speaking to help each other, sometimes to command to improve some position or some behaviour, never to criticise.
“When you do the good things you do it all together as a team and when you don’t do it, it will be the same.
“We should do better in that game but that is football. I don’t have anything to say about our players. I’ve seen the commitment to our work.”