Koeman: If you can’t win, don’t lose

Everton came away with a 1-1 draw under some difficult conditions at Stoke City, with an own goal required to tie the game after a poor start. After the game manager Ronald Koeman was pleased with the performance of Morgan Schneiderlin who started the game.

“Morgan put in a good performance. I know him and that is the type of performance he can give the team.

“He is really strong, comfortable on the ball and he can play in a different position to the one he did tonight. He can play more offensively in the midfield.

“We know we have big competition in midfield but the best will start. It can be different for this Saturday.”

After Joel Robles made two brilliant saves to rescue the game for the Blues, Koeman conceded that the final result was probably the right one for both teams.

“At the end we could have won it but a draw was a fair result. In the first 45 minutes maybe we had more ball possession but the clear chances were for Stoke. Joel made some good saves.

“The second half was better but it is always more difficult to have good defence against Crouch, with long balls and second balls. Overall, I think we did defensively well.

“Maybe in the second half we had to be a little more clinical with our ball possession. We lost some stupid balls in the midfield.

“But I am pleased with the performance from my team. We played some good football. Everybody knows it is a difficult place to come but we take one point. If you can’t win, don’t lose.”

Koeman was also encouraged by youngster Ademola Lookman who could have so easily won it right at the death, with his shot going through the goalkeeper’s legs and just past Tom Davies rushing in at the far post.

"Ademola was good but I told him after the game that we need him further up the pitch!

“It is possible he may start in the coming weeks."