James Tarkowski insists Everton's dressing room will not be too down following the narrow defeat to Manchester United - but says they must learn lessons from Sunday's clash to improve in future.

Alex Iwobi's stunning opener wasn't enough on the night as goals from Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo halted the Blues' seven-match unbeaten run.

Tarkowski, like manager Frank Lampard, highlighted a disappointing first-half display as the cause for the result and bemoaned a lack of quality in possession against Erik ten Hag's side.

However, the summer signing was also buoyed by a spirited reaction after the half-time interval and says attentions will quickly turn to next weekend's trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

"It's a frustrating night, for sure," said Tarkowski. "I think it's the first time we've really been off it this season. We got punished and rightly so. 

"They're a good, dangerous side, which we knew about coming into the match, and we played into their hands in the first half.

"We need to be better on the ball. We gifted them the ball too many times tonight and in dangerous positions. You'll get punished for that like we did.

"We managed to get a goal early but the issues were clear. We caught them out a few times but when we got the ball high, we didn't quite get our press right or we gave the ball away too easily.

"But we've been good this season and there's a really good feeling around the place, so we're not going to get too down about it but things need to be addressed, simple things that we can all do better as a team.

"The spirit is definitely a positive we can take away.

"We've got good character in the group, a lot of personality and a lot of togetherness. I think that showed today, because we weren't at our best and in games like that you have to stick together, which we did and we could have got something from the game at the end."

Despite the reverse to the Red Devils, Everton still hold the joint-best defensive record in the league having conceded nine goals from the opening nine Premier League matches.

Tarkowski and fellow summer signing Conor Coady have understandably received plaudits for that return, but the 29-year-old insists it has been a collective effort.

"I don't think it's just down to me and Conor," added Tarkowski. "I think because we're two new faces at the club, it's probably quite an easy thing to say - but, as a team, we're defending better from the front. 

"Today I don't think we showed that but in general this season we've defended really well. It's a team thing, not just me and Conor."