Martinez blasts 'soft' defending as Everton ship six at home to ChelseaBlues are still seeking their first win of the campaign after they were beaten 6-3 at Goodison
Everton's Tim Howard kneels dejected after conceding a sixth goal during the Barclays Premier League match at Goodison Park
Roberto Martinez admits Everton FC are being struck by "fear" as he blasted the "soft" defending that condemned his side to heavy home defeat to Chelsea.
The Blues are still seeking their first win of the campaign after they were beaten 6-3 at Goodison by the Londoners this evening.
And Martinez admits his backline are suffering a crisis of confidence after shipping 10 goals in their opening three Premier League games.
"There won't be many teams that score three against Chelsea," said the Everton boss.
"But it's so disappointing that we were too soft with our defending. Every time the ball was in our 18-yard box there was a real sense of fear.
"Now we have conceded 10 goals in three games and that's not like us at all.
"We have a feeling we could concede a goal every time the ball is around our 18-yard box.
"We need to focus and work on things. We have to be in a strong position and have defensive intensity.
"We have to get back to basics and have to start building games with a solid performance which unfortunately in the last three games wasn't the case."
Everton were 2-0 down inside the opening three minutes and Martinez admits his team were always up against it.
"We started very uncharacteristically," said the Catalan.
"We didn't have the defensive intensity and focus you have to have especially against a team like Chelsea.
"I thought even after 2-0 down we reacted really well. We never stopped doing what we had to do, but we had to chase the game and it opened up."
Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and debutant Samuel Eto'o all found the target for the Blues.
And Martinez added: "I thought our attacking play was phenomenal and we have to bring that confidence into our defensive play.
"We were very good going forward and controlled the game for long spells.
"But we were chasing the game against the wrong team as they are the best in the Premier League at protecting a lead.
"I feel the balance is right in our team. We just need to be a bit more positive with what we are good at defensively.
"We have more than 1100 Premier League appearances in the back five, so it's not about changing the personnel. We always felt we were very strong there."
Martinez also hinted Everton may not do any further business before the transfer window closes on Monday night.
"We are looking at it, but I'm really pleased with the numbers we have in the squad," said the Catalan.
"The players we have in our squad now should be enough for the four competitions we are facing."
Martinez, meanwhile, pointed the finger at Diego Costa after Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho declared his displeasure at what he considered were efforts from Everton's players to get two-goal Diego Costa booked.
"I am disappointed if the manager of a team that's won away from home has complained about the attitude of players," said Martinez.
"Players coming into a new league have to understand the ethics and I'm sure he (Costa) will learn quickly. You can understand why the players weren't happy with him."
Mourinho said: "The only thing I didn't like about the game besides our defending is how some Everton players treated Diego. I don't like that.
"That's a contradiction with Everton as everything else about them is positive. To be chasing cards for a player who was just here to play football is disappointing."
Source: Echo
