Thursday 12 May 2016 14:01, UK
Following Roberto Martinez's Everton exit, we pick out five games that cost him his job.
Roberto Martinez has been sacked by Everton following another disappointing season at the helm.
The Toffees find themselves facing a second consecutive bottom-half finish - something that never happened during David Moyes' 11 years in charge.
But where did it go wrong for Martinez? Here are five games that cost him…
Bournemouth 3-3 Everton
The sight of a team wilting late on always raises question marks but Everton managed it twice in one game against Bournemouth in November. Martinez's men were two goals up in the 80th minute but the Cherries managed to haul themselves level only for Ross Barkley to score in the fifth minute of added time - sparking wild Everton celebrations.
However, Junior Stanislas headed home his second of the game from Charlie Daniels' cross to score the latest goal of the Premier League season. Everton's performance showcased much of the attacking verve that Martinez had prioritised in his players but the fact that it still wasn't enough to assure victory seemed to foreshadow their future issues.
Martinez said: "It is very disappointing to get in a position where we give away a two-goal lead. But then it was a terrific reaction, the personality we showed to get the third goal, it was a real example of how you respond to disappointment.
"From that point on, it is out of our hands, a period that is longer than should have been played, a quick hopeful ball into the box which ends up with the ball in the back of the net… Things that sometimes you cannot really control."
Everton 3-4 Stoke
Everton's miserable home form continued as they surrendered yet another lead to end 2015 in defeat against Stoke. Having twice equalised through Romelu Lukaku, a goal by Gerard Deulofeu once again saw Martinez's side go into the final 10 minutes set for three points. Instead they ended up with none.
Joselu equalised before referee Mark Clattenburg controversially awarded a penalty for a foul by John Stones, with Marko Arnautovic scoring from the spot. While Martinez bemoaned that decision he was also left to rue missed chances and perhaps failing to make the necessary changes to tighten things up in the latter stages.
Martinez said: "The first half we were very sloppy in possession and gave the ball away too cheaply and allowed Stoke to become a threat on the counter. The second half was completely different, we adjusted slightly and imposed ourselves.
"We are a young team, but we must learn how to manage games and how to go through those periods a little bit better. It is quite tough to take, to lose and not get anything out of the game because of a bad call from the referee."
Everton 2-3 West Ham
Everton took their losing of leads to new levels in March. Two up going into the last quarter of an hour, the home side conceded three times at Goodison Park to leave them remaining in the bottom half. At least there was the mitigating circumstance of Kevin Mirallas' red card but nevertheless this was another result to erode confidence in the manager's approach.
Lukaku might even have put Everton three up but goals from Michail Antonio, Diafra Sakho and Dimitri Payet turned it around with Martinez only making a defensive switch after West Ham's equaliser. While he preferred to focus on the performance of the referee, supporters were left questioning the team's ongoing inability - or unwillingness - to close out matches.
Martinez said: "I don't feel he is a referee who understands the game in a way that we want the game played. 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.
"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. You wouldn't know West Ham had an extra man."
Liverpool 4-0 Everton
Another big game and another red card for Everton, although this Merseyside derby was already well on the way to being decided prior to Ramiro Funes Mori's sending off for an ugly challenge on Divock Origi. Goals late in the first half by Origi and Mamadou Sakho highlighted Everton's frailty with Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho adding to the woe.
By the end, Liverpool had 37 shots to Everton's three and were fortunate to escape with the joint-biggest defeat in this fixture in the Premier League era. With Gareth Barry and John Stones also having to go off through injury and illness respectively, Everton would go into the forthcoming FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United with a host of problems.
Martinez said: "It was a horrible, horrible showing. It started with the best intentions but then very close to half-time (there was) an inability to do the basics right and do the things you have to do in any performance.
"It's a feeling of embarrassment. We know we shouldn't put a showing on like this. I know there are sometimes things in football that you can't control, a chain of events that go against you but we brought that onto ourselves."
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Martinez went to Wembley under pressure and forced to call upon a half-fit Phil Jagielka but things looked to be going Everton's way following a strong second-half comeback. After Lukaku saw a penalty saved by David de Gea, Chris Smalling's own goal finally cancelled out Marouane Fellaini's opener and the semi-final looked to be heading for extra time.
However, a collective defensive error in stoppage time allowed Anthony Martial to stroke the ball beyond Joel Robles and ensure Everton will now pass the 20-year mark without winning a major trophy. Martinez appeared proud of his team's efforts but there were familiar failings on show too.
Martinez said: "We had an incredible tempo and intensity to impose ourselves. We had the penalty, which was a big moment of the game, but that didn't stop us from playing the way that we want to play and we scored a goal.
"At that point, it's where the story becomes very heartbreaking, against the run of play in injury time, it's always a difficult one. After that second half, I don't think we deserved to be on the losing side."
