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Everton's lack of composure did them in against 'in-control' City

Last updated on: August 24, 2015 14:26 IST

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling takes on Everton's Seamus Coleman during their Barclays English Premier League match at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling takes on Everton's Seamus Coleman during their Barclays English Premier League match at Goodison Park in Liverpool on Sunday. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said he was disappointed with his side's reaction after conceding a "sloppy" first goal in their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, but that his team could take several positives from their first defeat of the season.

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City's Raheem Sterling played in Aleksander Kolarov for the opener and the left-back beat Tim Howard at his near post after the Everton goalkeeper dived the wrong way in the Premier League contest.

"I think the first goal seemed to be too important today," Martinez said.

"We always knew it was going to be an important one playing against a quality side, but I think it affected us a little bit too much," the manager added.

Everton's Ross Barkley runs past Manchester City's Jesus Navas (left) and Bacary Sagna 

Everton's Ross Barkley runs past Manchester City's Jesus Navas (left) and Bacary Sagna. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

"It comes from us being very sloppy on the ball and us giving them a counter-attack, which ended up in the back of our net and that gave them a real sense of control," the Spaniard said.

"I thought up to that goal, especially in the first half, we probably had the best moments in the game.

"We defended really well ... but we didn't have our normal composure or the know-how that we usually carry," Martinez added.

"In terms of effort and the way in which we had a proper face-to-face confrontation with a team, who, in my eyes, are the best in the league at the moment ... we can take a lot of positives from that," the 42-year-old said.