Everton boss Roberto Martinez criticises referee after West Ham defeat

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said the first booking Kevin Mirallas received in the West Ham loss was "a ridiculous decision".

Mirallas was booked for diving in the 16th minute of the 3-2 loss and sent off after a second yellow card for a foul on Aaron Cresswell 10 minutes before half-time.

Everton were 1-0 up at that time and went on to increase their lead and miss a penalty before three goals in the final 11 minutes of the game won it for the Hammers.

And Martinez described it as another "unfortunate game" for referee Anthony Taylor, although he admitted the second booking was correct.

"The second booking is a decision the referee has to make. The first one is a ridiculous decision," he added.

"Why should we book a player because we feel it is not a free-kick? Two players come together, they cross each other and he loses his balance.

"I don't feel he is a referee who understands the game in a way that we want the game played.

"You want a referee who takes the back seat. Unfortunately we had him here against Swansea and he had a very unfortunate game.

"You want to see refs who understand the game and allow players to play and not just have to apply the letter of the law."

Martinez was pleased, however, with the way his team performed with 10 men but admitted the penalty - which was missed by Romelu Lukaku and would have given his side a strong 3-0 lead - was a huge blow to his team's mental strength.

"We were presented with a very difficult game when Kevin had the red card but you look at the way we adapted, worked for each other, and we were the better team," he said.

"You wouldn't know West Ham had an extra man.

"He (Mirallas) apologised but it is part of the game. He didn't do anything apart from trying to play the game.

"The penalty was a big blow psychologically. Romelu is such a reliable footballer that we were all a little bit shocked. Those were two key moments."