Everton boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that his team made a number of mistakes during their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on New Year's Day.

Second-half goals from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard saw United claim all three points at Goodison Park.

Allardyce has claimed that the Toffees 'were punished for their errors' during the clash on Merseyside.

"If you gift the ball back to the team like United then they punish you. Here's some analysis for the lads on Match of the Day if you want. For the first goal (scored by Anthony Martial) they back off, back off and back off," Allardyce told BBC Sport.

"We needed to put pressure on United and we didn't. Martial takes the ball and lifts the shot with no blue shirt trying to close him down or tackle him.

"In that period of time I wanted to get a sub on but I couldn't get one on soon enough. James McCarthy then comes on and makes tackles and lifts the crowd.

"We have to avoid unforced errors, cut balls out and have to be consistent or a team like United will punish you. We haven't been on the training ground during this period apart from shifting the lactic acid from the players."

Everton will now switch their attention to the FA Cup as they prepare to travel to bitter rivals Liverpool on Friday night.