Everton news: Ronald Koeman slams players after another Europa League shocker

EVERTON boss Ronald Koeman accused his team of being "scared" and "afraid" to play the ball forward after last night’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Apollon Limassol.

Ronald KoemanGETTY

Ronald Koeman slams Everton performance

Everton, who lost their opening Group E fixture 3-0 at Atalanta, fell behind early on against Apollon when Adrian Sardinero's goal punished an Ashley Williams mistake.

Wayne Rooney and substitute Nikola Vlasic scored either side of half time as Everton looked set for three points at Goodison Park.

But then a chaotic conclusion to the game saw Hector Yuste head a late equaliser moments after Valentin Roberge's sending off had reduced the visitors to 10 men.

And Koeman, whose side have won only twice in their last nine matches, said after the draw: "They are afraid in (how they are) playing.

We are scared, we are afraid to play forward

Ronald Koeman

"It's in the heads of the players. You can help them, support them, but finally I don't play the ball back. It's up to the player.

"We are scared, we are afraid to play forward and that makes it difficult.

"Maybe sometimes there are not enough options to play forwards but even if there are no options, play the ball in the channel instead of back to the goalkeeper.

"We know what the fans like, that you go forward, and they don't like to see a team playing back, back. In the first 20 minutes every ball was back and then it's really difficult to create chances."

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