Andros Townsend believes a "passive" first-half performance was the difference in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves - but says Everton will take valuable lessons heading into Sunday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes at Molineux and opened up a two-goal advantage heading into the interval, courtesy of goals from Max Kilman and Raúl Jiménez.

Alex Iwobi's 66th-minute strike was a deserved reward for an improved display after the restart - but Townsend accepts the Blues left themselves with a mountain to climb.

Following the loss, the summer recruit says he and his teammates must learn from Monday night's encounter and, specifically, the nuances of playing against a system involving three central defenders and wing-backs, ahead of the visit from Antonio Conte's Spurs. 

"The first half cost us," said Townsend. "We were too passive. Because we conceded a lot of goals in the last game, we were focused on being compact and being difficult to play through but we couldn't get close to them and their danger players  –  [Joao] Moutinho and [Ruben] Neves had too much time on the ball.

"Although we corrected that in the second half, we left ourselves way too much to do. In the Premier League, being 2-0 down away from home is always going to be a tall order and even though we created enough chances to do it, unfortunately, we couldn't find the back of the net for a second time.

"We changed to a 4-3-3 after the second goal which allowed two midfielders to get closer to their two midfielders and our wingers to press their centre halves. So, we got more pressure on the ball and more turnovers because of it - but, like I said, we had too much to do.

"Of course, there was a feeling that there was something in the game for us [in the second half]. At the start of the season, we were going behind and coming back, showing resilience. We know we have that in the dressing room – we know we have the quality to come back from losing positions because we've shown it before and we can do it again. 

"The belief was there, the intent was there, the ambition was there but, unfortunately, while we got good crosses into the box, we couldn't get the rub of the green and get that second goal we needed.

"I'm sure we'll debrief from the game. 

"The manager has already said what he felt in the dressing room and that will always stay private. 

"We know what went wrong in the first half. I'm sure we'll work on that during the week to make sure that, if we do play against a three at the back again, which could possibly happen against Spurs on Sunday, we're better equipped. 

"We know how to adapt better, how to get out to them and put more pressure on the ball than we did tonight."

While disappointed about the manner of the reverse to Bruno Lage's side, Townsend insists there is still an unwavering belief that the Toffees can turnaround their form ahead of this month's international break.

"Obviously, when you're not winning football matches it's never nice," he added. "It's not a great feeling for a player, a manager or a supporter. But we have the confidence in the dressing room.

"Before this run we were on a great one – at home and away. 

"We know we have the quality in the dressing room and we have the Goodison Park faithful at our side on Sunday. 

"We know they'll be there in numbers and, hopefully, we can give them a performance to be proud of and, most importantly, three points against Spurs."