Rodgers: We Weren't Good Enough vs Everton

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers plays down claims that Everton tacticalled out-battled his side last weekend.

Everton were only the third team this season to beat the Swans at the Liberty Stadium. Many people, including journalists, pundits and fans believed that Everton's 2-0 win was down to their tactics, and out-battling the Swans in that department.

David Moyes' team were set up to constantly pressure and limit Swansea City's wing threat. They kept their discipline at the back and made it difficult for the home side to create many clear cut chances on goal.

Brendan Rodgers denied these claims that Everton's superior tactics won the game, and believed his team weren't at their best.

'I have heard people talking about how Everton's win was down to tactical astuteness,'

'But I don't think there was any great tactical item which made the difference.

'We went behind to a brilliant free-kick after we had lost their runner to give them the free-kick in the first place — that's nothing to do with tactics.

'The second goal was down to (Marouane) Fellaini turning in the box more easily than he should have done.'

Rodgers said after the game that it was a big lesson learnt for him and his players, and he added:

'What Everton did well against us was that they pressed us for long periods,'

'Throughout this season we have normally broken teams' resilience a little bit sooner, and that's where we must learn from the Everton game.

'Teams have tried to press us like Everton did and we have coped with that, but they are a defensive team — that's why they don't score so many goals.

'Their outlook on the game is defensive, so they are used to the level of game we saw last Saturday and they can sustain that level of game for long periods.

'We can take something away from that and use it in the future.

'At this level, against very experienced players, we have to retain our patience for longer and maybe pass the ball a wee bit quicker.

'They were the nuts and bolts of Saturday — it was quite straightforward for me.'

Rodgers also said that it wasn't all about Everton for how they won, he also admitted his side's helped them get the three points.

'I am not going to tell people how to do their work,'

'Football is very simple. When you haven't got the ball you have a choice — you either press the ball or you sit off.

'It wasn't rocket science (last weekend). If you are a passing team like we are, then the idea of a defensive team will be to try to stop you playing.

'That worked for Everton, but it wasn't purely about what they did. We were short of our best.'

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