Carlo Ancelotti said Everton were made to pay for their slow start against Burnley at Goodison Park on Saturday evening and admitted the Blues need to be “more clinical” in attack.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the 19th time this season but Everton were beaten 2-1 by the Clarets.
All the goals came in the first half at Goodison, with Calvert-Lewin’s powerful headed effort coming after strikes from Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil had given the away side the advantage.
Everton probed for a leveller in the second half but could not break down a stubborn Burnley backline.
The result means the Blues remain sixth in the Premier League – five points behind the Champions League qualifying positions but with a game in hand on fourth-placed Chelsea.
“The result was a big disappointment,” said Ancelotti.
“I think we lost a great opportunity to climb the table. I think we did the same mistakes we did most of this season at Goodison Park.
“We didn’t start well and we were 2-0 down with the mistakes we did.
“To [get] back in the game was difficult and we tried but it wasn’t enough.
“I think in the first half, they were better and they were strong defensively. They won a lot of second balls. This is the reason for the defeat.
“We should also have created more opportunities. We were not clinical in front. We missed passes, we missed crosses and we missed control.
“On the quality aspect, we could have done much better.”
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Everton have racked up an impressive points tally away from home this season, having won nine of their 14 Premier League games on the road.
The Blues have found the going tougher at Goodison, however, and Ancelotti insists Everton must find a solution to their below-par home form ahead of two vital matches in L4.
“It is quite clear that at home we were not good enough but we were fantastic away,” Ancelotti added.
“This season is like this.
"At home, we have to do better.
“We have two games coming up at Goodison Park – against Man City in the FA Cup and Crystal Palace – and we have to do better.”
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