Roberto Martinez: Everton manager blames FA Cup for league form

Manager Roberto Martinez says Everton have struggled to focus on the Premier League following their FA Cup semi-final defeat.

Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Sunderland was the second time they have conceded three goals since losing to Manchester United at Wembley on 23 April.

Everton are 12th in the table with one win from their past 10 league games.

"We tried to get the focus after being in the FA Cup semi-final and sometimes it drops the intensity," said Martinez.

Martinez has come under pressure from some Everton fans this season, while Ajax manager Frank de Boer and Southampton boss Ronald Koeman have been linked with his job this month.

Patrick van Aanholt's free-kick and two close-range strikes from Lamine Kone sealed a comfortable win for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light which secured their survival and relegated Newcastle and Norwich.

Spaniard Martinez, who took over from David Moyes in June 2013 and signed a new five-year contract in 2014, added: "The effort we put in deserved a lot more.

"It was not an easy game and Sunderland had a lot of momentum with their focus on the league.

"We have one more game to get the winning feeling and perform in a manner in which we can get the three points and end the season better."

Everton finished fifth in the table with a record Premier League points tally in their first season under Martinez in 2013-14, and 11th the following year.

They end their campaign at home to Norwich on Sunday.

Some Everton supporters stayed behind after the home win over Bournemouth in April to protest against Martinez