'I don't like making excuses' - James Tarkowski makes honest Everton admission after Wolves

James Tarkowski explained the pressure December’s run of games had put on the Everton squad as he dissected the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The centre-back said he would not seek to use the tiredness caused by the congested festive fixture list as an excuse but detailed how the matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City had taken it out of his team-mates.

The result at Molineux made it three consecutive Premier League losses and, after battling performances in those previous two fixtures. this was one of the most disappointing displays in months.

Tarkowski acknowledged the Blues conceded "sloppy" goals in a game that finished 3-0 but during which Wolves would have inflicted greater damage had it not been for the offside flag and several reflex saves from Jordan Pickford.

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Speaking in the tunnel after the game, Tarkowski provided an honest assessment of the performance. He said: “Every now and then you have one of these days. If you’re looking for a small reason, it’s been a long run of games in a short space of time, so maybe it’s one step too far physically. But I don’t like making excuses like that… The one thing we need to do is stop conceding sloppy goals. The first was sloppy after a clearance from a corner and the third the same. We need to stop conceding goals like that.”

Sean Dyche hailed the 2-1 defeat to Spurs before Christmas as one of the best performances of his 11-month tenure and Everton pushed Man City to their limit on Wednesday, leading the club world champions at half-time. Those matches had been particularly gruelling due to the