Monk: Five minute period cost us

22nd March

Garry Monk felt his side paid the price for succumbing to a five-minute spell of pressure in Swansea's 3-2 defeat at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park.
The hosts took the lead in the 20th minute when Leighton Baines converted from the spot after Ross Barkley was brought down by Chico inside the box.
But the Swans responded to the setback well, and equalised before the midway point when Wilfried Bony tapped home Angel Rangel's cross from close range.
However, a five minute spell of pressure early on in the second period saw Everton restore their advantage through Romelu Lukaku before Barkley headed in the Blues' third.
Deep into injury time, Ashley Williams pulled one back for the Swans when he powered a header into the net from Jonathan de Guzman's in-swinging corner.
But it was too little too late for Garry Monk's side, and the Swans head coach felt his side gave themselves a mountain to climb.



"When you come to places like this, there are times when you are under pressure," admitted Monk. "You have to manage it properly.
"You have to make the right decisions on and off the ball, but we didn't do that in the five minute period in the second-half.
"By that time, we gave ourselves a lot to do. Once we got through that period, we had quite a few chances.
"If we hadn't given them such a lead, we would have been able to come away with something.
"In terms of effort and desire, this team has got it, but we have to be clever in periods when we are under pressure.
"If we had managed the period when we were under pressure properly, little mistakes wouldn't have happened.
"We have to get points on the board as soon as possible. You can have all of the effort and desire to win in the world, but you need results.
"But apart from two 45 minute periods against Crystal Palace and West Brom, as well as the five minutes here today, we've deserved more points than we've got.
"It's disappointing because we've been conceding poor goals from individual errors, but hopefully we can learn from it."
Meanwhile, Everton boss Roberto Martinez was pleased with his team's win despite admitting his side weren't at their best.



"I am very pleased," said the Spanish manager. "We faced a very difficult test from Swansea. To get the important three points is very pleasing.
"Swansea's footballing principles are so strong, and I think they will get points because of that.
"We started the game very well, but Swansea ended the second-half stronger and deserved their equaliser.
"Without being at our very best, to get a win is very important."