Players 'couldn't cope' says Sam

“We got exactly what we deserved, and that was absolutely nothing," said Allardyce after the disappointing 2-1 home defeat that leaves Wanderer's perilously close to the relegation zone.

"After Everton's first goal you could see the confidence drain out of our team.

"We were a huge disappointment especially after the encouraging signs we showed in the Newcastle game only six days ago.

“We came back here and looked forward to the game on the back of that game, but basically, we failed to produce anything like what we can produce.

"We got exactly what we deserved.

“We have to take that on the chin and accept that sometimes the players we have got in the squad can’t cope, and they couldn’t cope tonight with a very organised and very skilful Everton side.