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Ronald Koeman admitted he got it wrong with his selection against Stoke City- but praised Wayne Rooney for helping spare his blushes.

The Blues boss chose a back three for the opening game of the season at Goodison, which his side eventually went on to win courtesy of the returning Rooney's solitary goal.

Koeman's plan asked young centre forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin to operate as a makeshift wing-back, but was torn up at half time when he brought on right-back Cuco Martina and reverted to a back four.

Calvert-Lewin had delivered the cross for Rooney's 46th minute header, but Koeman was typically honest with his appraisal afterwards.

He said: "I expected to get the space on that side...but it wasn’t the problem of Dominic. One time in the game I was happy to see him (for the cross).

"That was my fault. I changed even after 45 minutes with the four defenders. The second half was much better and more controlled.

"Before that the team looked nervous on the ball and Stoke made it difficult. It is always difficult to play against that system but if you are not confident on the ball and make mistakes in ball possession, it was for some players hard.

"The great goal of Wayne and also the final decision to change the system and to play with the four at the back made the team a bit more comfortable in the second half without having big big chances."

Koeman was proud too of how his defence weathered Stoke's attempts to salvage a point.

"We defended well," he said. "Stoke had one shot on target and OK, a great save by Jordan (Pickford).

"We were defending well the set plays of Stoke even in the last 25 minutes with Crouch on the pitch. It is difficult.

"Overall it was not the best performance but we know we could do much better."