Five games that cost Martinez

Following Roberto Martinez’s Everton exit, we pick out five games that cost him his job.

Roberto Martinez has been sacked by Everton following another disappointing season at the helm.

The Toffees find themselves facing a second consecutive bottom-half finish – something that never happened during David Moyes’ 11 years in charge.

But where did it go wrong for Martinez? Here are five games that cost him…

Bournemouth 3-3 Everton

The sight of a team wilting late on always raises question marks but Everton managed it twice in one game against Bournemouth in November. Martinez’s men were two goals up in the 80th minute but the Cherries managed to haul themselves level only for Ross Barkley to score in the fifth minute of added time – sparking wild Everton celebrations.

However, Junior Stanislas headed home his second of the game from Charlie Daniels’ cross to score the latest goal of the Premier League season. Everton’s performance showcased much of the attacking verve that Martinez had prioritised in his players but the fact that it still wasn’t enough to assure victory seemed to foreshadow their future issues.

Martinez said: “It is very disappointing to get in a position where we give away a two-goal lead. But then it was a terrific reaction, the personality we showed to get the third goal, it was a real example of how you respond to disappointment.

“From that point on, it is out of our hands, a period that is longer than should have been played, a quick hopeful ball into the box which ends up with the ball in the back of the net… Things that sometimes you cannot really control.”

Everton 3-4 Stoke

Everton’s miserable home form continued as they surrendered yet another lead to end 2015 in defeat against Stoke. Having twice equalised through Romelu Lukaku, a goal by Gerard Deulofeu once again saw Martinez’s side go into the final 10 minutes set for three points. Instead they ended up with none.

Joselu equalised before referee Mark Clattenburg controversially awarded a penalty for a foul by John Stones, with Marko Arnautovic scoring from the spot. While Martinez bemoaned that decision he was also left to rue missed …

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