Everton captain Phil Neville offered no excuses after their 2-0 UEFA Cup first-leg defeat at Fiorentina last night.
David Moyes' team were undone by two quality second-half strikes - from Zdravko Kuzmanovic and then Riccardo Montolivo - but Neville was man enough to acknowledge Everton were off the pace throughout the first leg of this last-16 tie.
After midfielder Montolivo had capped a slick move with an even better finish in the 82nd minute - volleyed this time, from just inside the area - Everton might have conceded a third too, substitute Mario Alberto Santana sliding his effort just beyond the far post with the outside of his right foot. "We didn't play at all tonight," Neville told ITV4. "We were a little bit negative in our play."
American goalkeeper Tim Howard went on to produce a series of outstanding saves, and it was harsh on him - if not his team-mates - that the Toffees conceded twice.
Neville knew that Everton had caused many of their own problems.
"The manager set us out to attack, but we were probably a little bit too cautious and didn't get men forward," he accepted. "We didn't play how we know we can - and that is always a let-down."
Even so, Neville insists all is not lost - refusing to discount a winning comeback on Merseyside next week.
"We are still in it going back to Goodison," he insisted.
"It will be a great atmosphere - and we know we have to play at a higher tempo, put them under pressure and play how Everton play."
