Everton’s failure to win for a third successive game has left the team 10th in the table.

The latest disappointment came in the match against Norwich. Even though striker Romelu Lukaku score yet again in the Premier League, the club were unable to take advantage of his goals. Conceding just into the second-half from a set piece meant that Everton have dropped two more points. Only a few weeks ago, things look extremely promising for Everton and Roberto Martinez. They looked like being capable of finishing in the European spots.

Martinez says that the team will have to different set pieces a lot better if they are to finish in the top six at the very least. The poor defensive record of the team from the set pieces is rather surprising given that they have some of the best headers of the ball. John Stones was kept at the club under huge pressure from Chelsea and he was delivering very well at the start of the season. However, central defenders have tended to go on a poor run of form and this appears to be one of them. Stones is likely to once again come under interest from Chelsea in January. If his poor form continues, Everton may consider selling him.

“We have been a really strong defensive unit but we have let ourselves be a little soft in defensive work from dead-ball situations.It is something that we want to fix and be better. It is an area of any game that is going to be very important in determining the scoreline.We have had a lot of injuries throughout the season as any team has but I thought we coped really, really well. The young players showed a terrific attitude and personality to step in and do a really good job,” said Martinez.