Roberto Martinez has claimed that Matthew Pennington was the only Everton player that deserved credit in Saturday’s defeat at Leicester City.
The newly-crowned Premier League champions peppered the Blues’ goal with a staggering 32 shots while supporters were heavily critical of another performance largely devoid of fight or character.
Martinez faces an increasingly ominous fight for his Goodison Park future in Everton’s remaining two games and refused to hold back in his assertion of his players at the King Power Stadium.
Pennington made just his second Premier League start for the club and was exempt from criticism, with Martinez praising the 21-year-old’s attitude after another impressive display at the heart of the defence.
He said: “We played last week and we had all the attributes you need to win a football game.
“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.
“It is a shame no one else on the pitch could match that focus.”