Michael Laudrup knows that his side were beaten by the better team as Everton won 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium
Michael Laudrup knows that his side were beaten by the better team as Everton won 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium
“Everton deserved the win,” he said.
“They were much better than us and we have to be very disappointed with our performance in the first half-hour.
“We were too slow and not quick enough with the ball, and that was the benchmark for the defeat. We still created plenty of chances, but Everton could also have scored four or five.
“It was our worst display so far this season, and we must learn from it. Everton didn’t surprise us tactically - they played exactly the same as they did here last season.
“They play high up, press you and play man for man. That means we needed to move the ball much quicker and we didn’t do that.
“It was a reminder to us all,” said Laudrup. “We are a good team when we have the ball and we move it quickly.
“But if we don’t then we will have problems against everyone, both at home and away.
“We had a good response at the end of the first half and again at the start of the second period, but it was the first 30 minutes that was our downfall.
“The second yellow card was unlucky,” he said. “Nathan has gone to kick the ball and he has missed it and caught the opponent.
“It was a definite yellow card and it was unfortunate that it came shortly after he had already been booked.
“But we have to learn from this defeat and it is a wake-up call from everyone.”