Sylvain Distin has admitted that it is "difficult" for Everton to accept Saturday's defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.

The Citizens were awarded a penalty in the first half after Phil Jagielka tackled James Milner, leaving Yaya Toure to fire home the only goal of the match from the spot.

Distin told the club's website: "I think we gave them a tough game. For me, it was a soft penalty which changed the game. It put us 1-0 down and we had to chase the game against a very good side.

"There are some amazing strikers in the Premier League and if you can't go shoulder to shoulder without giving away a penalty, it's becoming nearly impossible to defend.

"It's part of football and you need to accept it but it is difficult to get over it. I'm pretty sure, over the course of the season, we will have decisions go our way as well so we just have to deal with it."

The loss leaves Everton 11th in the Premier League table, six points adrift of the top four.