Europa League

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Europa League | Group Stage

Sep 28, 2017 at 8.05pm UK

Everton
2-2
Apollon Limassol Apollon Limassol

Rooney (21'), Vlasic (67')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Corpa (13'), Yuste (88')
Roberge (87')

Ronald Koeman: 'Lack of confidence clear to see in Everton side'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 28 September 2017

Everton manager Ronald Koeman says that his side's lack of confidence cost them against Apollon Limassol, with the 2-2 draw 'feeling more like a defeat'.

Ronald Koeman has admitted that he is 'really disappointed' after seeing his Everton side concede late on against 10-man Apollon Limassol in their Europa League tie.

The Toffees appeared to be on course for their first win in the group stage of the competition, having battled back from a goal down to lead 2-1 with two minutes of normal time left to play at Goodison Park.

Soon after having defender Valentin Roberge sent off, however, the Cypriot visitors hit back through Hector Yuste's flicked header right at the death to earn a 2-2 draw.

Koeman was left unhappy with his side's overall display and confessed that the result feels more like a defeat than a draw.

"It's really disappointing. We started poor without any confidence, doing a lot of mistakes," he told BT Sport. "But we had a good reaction. We got a big present to score at 1-1 but the second half was much better. We had big chances to score the third one and even after 2-2 we had an unbelievable chance.

"Sometimes when you are struggling you are too afraid to play football - that's difficult. If it's several players, football is very difficult. The challenge is to get the team full of confidence.

"You need to start better, if you start with many mistakes like today it's hard; look at the first goal, it's shocking. Winning games is good medicine but now it will be the same at the weekend. The feeling is like a defeat, not even a draw."

Everton, beaten heavily by Atalanta in the last round, now find themselves bottom of the Group E standings.