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Marco Silva insists Everton will persist with zonal marking from set-pieces despite teething problems with the tactic.

The Blues have conceded three goals from corners so far this season as the squad get used to a new way of defending.

Silva acknowledges there have been early issues with the system but is adamant Everton must continue with zonal marking over man to man.

The Portuguese coach says the squad will work on it at Finch Farm between matches and confirmed he will not deviate from an approach to defending he has used his entire career.

(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“First, it's the best way because I believe you can be stronger and play in that way in that moment,” Silva told the ECHO.

“It is something I have done since my first day as a coach and so it is my way.

“In those moments you can do everything you can to study set-pieces but you don't always find the magic in zonal or the magic with man to man.

“But it is important, it is a new thing and, like our style, something we are working everyday to improve and it is something new to our players and I only know one way to improve: here, day by day and working hard.

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“Of course, it is clear we need to improve in that situation for us, as a team, to be stronger in that moment because if you can achieve a clean sheet in that moment then our confidence will grow as well.”

Proponents of man marking favour it because it promotes accountability but Silva says the zonal approach does the same.

Rotherham made it 2-1 with a Will Vaulks header from a corner, four minutes from time in Wednesday's Carabao Cup second round tie at Goodison.

And Silva has revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the scorer of two goals on the night, was at fault.

“But you have your responsibility as well,” he said.

“I can tell you, because I already told him, in that moment when Rotherham scored we don't mark man to man but in that moment one of our players still had that responsibility.

“I can tell you, because he knows as well, Dominic has that responsibility to attack that ball.

“If he is man to man, he has that responsibility, if he is in a zone then he has that responsibility, it is clear to me.”

Silva's search for a clean sheet will be boosted by the return of Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton's midfield for tomorrow's game with Huddersfield.

Schneiderlin plays a key role in defending set-pieces and Silva says he offers cover to the back four.

“Not just in set-pieces,” the Everton boss said.

“As a midfield player with a profile he is different, he is more of a positional midfielder, more a clear No6.

“And of course he is an important player in that moment for us.”