Everton: 'No excuses' as Toffees told to be 'mentally stronger'

Everton’s players need to toughen up mentally if they are to avoid relegation this season, according to former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer.

The Toffees were beaten again on Sunday by West Ham, and face a real scrap to stay in the top-flight under Frank Lampard.

Having lost 4-0 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup just before the international break, Everton did show signs of improvement against the Hammers.

However, simple errors proved costly at the London Stadium. Lampard’s side fell behind to a stunning Aaron Cresswell free-kick in the first half, but they got themselves level shortly after the interval through Mason Holgate.

That was as good as it got, though, as West Ham went back in front a few minutes later thanks to Jarrod Bowen after Alex Iwobi inexplicably miscontrolled the ball, and Michael Keane then got himself sent off for a second bookable offence.

Down to 10 men, Everton could not get back into the game, leaving them three points above the bottom three.

Ralf Rangnick BRUTAL on Man United stars after Leicester draw! Hear more on The Football Terrace…

Palmer has questioned Everton’s reaction to adversity in games, and has called for the players to improve quickly following a dismal run of performances and results.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I know people say that the players go under, and this, that, and the other. They’ve got to be mentally stronger than that.

“They’re getting paid good money, really good money. So, there’s no excuses. The performances have not been good, and they’ve looked really, really poor.”

Everton face Burnley on Wednesday in a huge clash at Turf Moor.

The Merseyside club have a four-point advantage over the Clarets right now, meaning that it is not necessarily a game that they