Everton boss Marco Silva felt his players had been "too nervous and anxious" during the 1-0 New Year's Day loss to Leicester at Goodison Park.

In a contest that was low on quality and entertainment, the Toffees registered only two efforts on target, with the first not coming until the 75th minute.

Jamie Vardy struck the winner in the 58th as the Foxes punished a mistake by Michael Keane.

Silva, whose men have lost four of their last five, said: "It's a disappointing result and a poor performance. It wasn't a good game. We missed some important things, to pass the normal pass and to do the easy things.

"The first half, even when we were in control, afterwards our decision wasn't the best.

"I felt our team was too nervous and anxious, without reason.

"When you play with easy mistakes, the bad things come to you and that is what happened.

"If you were nervous and anxious, after that you will be more nervous."

Everton, 10th in the Premier League, have won only once in eight games. Silva said: "We played four games in 10 days, it is really tough, even if you change players. But it is not reason to (play as they did). We were at home, our fans were behind us, and I cannot find - but I will find - the reasons."

Leicester boss Claude Puel has been ranked among the favourites to be the next manager in the division to leave his post, and a report on New Year's Eve linked Newcastle's Rafael Benitez with the Foxes.

Puel said: "That is not my concern. I am just a person who serves the club, and I would like to continue this way."

Belfast Telegraph