We can't cave in like that – Unsworth slams Everton mentality
Everton were eliminated from the Europa League thanks to Thursday's 3-0 loss to Lyon and David Unsworth felt let down.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnpffAdMNGgRWh56URKtfQ.jpg)
Interim Everton manager David Unsworth was left irritated by his team's mentality during Thursday's 3-0 defeat at Lyon, telling them they cannot "cave in".
The loss in France confirmed Everton's elimination from the Europa League despite still having two Group E matches to play.
They managed to keep things level until half-time, but goals from Bertrand Traore, Houssem Aouar and Memphis Depay in the second period rounded off a miserable day for Everton, who saw Morgan Schneiderlin sent off and Cuco Martina taken to hospital after a nasty fall.
Full-back Martina was believed to have sustained a concussion, but the club confirmed hours later the he had been released and would travel back with the squad.
Unsworth, who appears increasingly unlikely to get the job on a full-time basis, though, was left exasperated at full-time.
"It's not about me," he told reporters. "It's about the football club. It's about getting over this disappointing result.
"We can't cave in the way we do when we concede a goal. We need to rectify that very, very quickly.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"I'm really disappointed with the result. For nearly 70 minutes we were nearly perfect with our game plan. If you concede, for five or 10 minutes you all come together and don't concede again.
"When you're not winning games you do concede sloppy goals. The mentality must be stronger and we must have courage if we go a goal behind.
"We have got to pick ourselves up really, really quickly. Sunday is a huge game for me, huge game for the club and I've left the players in no uncertain terms that it's a huge game for them."
DU: "We can't cave in the way we do when we concede a goal. We need to rectify that very, very quickly." November 2, 2017
Unsworth was less assertive when asked about the situation regarding the manager's job at Everton, simply saying he will accept whatever decision the club makes.
"What will be, will be," he told BT Sport. "Whatever is best for Everton, I'll accept."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack