David Unsworth was reeling after a torrent of insults from radio pundit Joey Barton and a dismal defeat which left Everton in the drop zone.

Caretaker boss Unsworth was branded a “glorified PE teacher who shouldn't be in charge of a men's team” in Barton's character assassination on talkSPORT.

And as Claude Puel launched his Leicester reign with a comfortable win, the sickly Toffees slumped to their sixth defeat in 10 Premier League games – and Barton launched into an astonishing tirade on the airwaves.

He said of Unsworth: “I used to watch him as an Evertonian and he was the most immobile left-back I've ever seen. He's not a manager, he doesn't look like one.

Unsworth on the touchline at the King Power Stadium (
Image:
Plumb Images)
Barton has aired his view (
Image:
talkSPORT)

“I watched him waddling on to the coach. How can you get players to exert themselves physically when you're out of shape?

“He's a glorified PE teacher who shouldn't be in charge of a men's team. Look at him on the touchline... he's more like a steward.”

Unsworth responded: “It's not a problem – anything Joey Barton says, I couldn't care less.”

The interim Everton boss, who took charge after Ronald Koeman was sacked seven days ago, admitted he was unhappy with his side's limp first-half display at the King Power, where they were sunk by Jamie Vardy and Jonjoe Kenny's own goal – ludicrously awarded by Premier League chiefs to man of the match Demarai Gray.

Vardy easily tucks home Leicester's opener (
Image:
REUTERS)
Demarai Gray was ludicrously handed the Foxes' second goal (
Image:
Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

He said: “That wasn't the performance I was expecting – we were a bit fearful and I was disappointed with the manner of the first goal.

“Watford next Sunday is now a massive game – we need the three points – and I'm sure the Goodison faithful will get behind us.”

Unsworth, who left record £45million signing Gylfi Sigurdsson on the bench, revealed England defender Michael Keane missed the game because he had been hospitalised by a gash in his leg which became infected.

He said: “Michael got a bad gash when we played Sunderland in the League Cup in a challenge with James Vaughan. The infection spread up his leg and it was really nasty, but there has been a big improvement.”

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