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Martinez: staying positive despite setback. PA Wire/Press Association Images

Arsenal will drop points, insists Martinez

Everton’s bid for Champions League football hit a major bump in the road last night.

EVERTON MANAGER Roberto Martinez expects Arsenal to follow suit and drop points in the scramble for fourth place in the Premier League.

A 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park last night means Everton passed on the opportunity to leapfrog back over Arsenal — who beat West Ham 3-1 24 hours prior — into fourth in the battle to secure qualification to next season’s UEFA Champions League.

With four league games remaining, Arsene Wenger’s men will secure a top-four finish if they match Everton’s results over the coming weeks.

And Martinez has cranked up the pressure by suggesting that the London club will not win all their remaining fixtures, insisting his Everton side, a point further back, will fight to the end.

“We have 12 points to play for,” the Spaniard said. ”We are close to fourth place and we are still in a good position. I don’t think Arsenal will take maximum points from their remaining games.

“If you looked at the start of the season, it’s a magnificent position. The way we finished the second half gives me great optimism we can finish the season strongly.”

Goals from Jason Puncheon, Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome prevented Everton from making it eight home league wins in a row. Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas netted for the hosts to make it 2-1 and 3-1 respectively.

Martinez knows it is a fixture that Everton were tipped to win, but paid tribute to a plucky Palace performance.

“The result is a hurtful one because of the expectation that we had and the desire that we brought into the game,” he said. ”In the first half we played with a bit of wanting to win so much that we forgot about simple basics. In the second half, it was completely different.

“We were positive and back to being ourselves. But in every aspect, the game played into Crystal Palace’s hands. They were well organised, happy to sit behind and play on the counter and dead balls.”

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9 Comments
    Gnik
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    Mute Gnik
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:24 AM

    Everton have missed their chance. Arsenal have Ozil and Ramsey back and have hit a little bit of form. Plus Everton have much harder fixtures left. Don’t know how but somehow we’ve sneaked 4th place again.

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    Mute Nicholas Ring
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:07 PM

    He said he ‘thinks’ arsenal will drop point. Why does the title say ‘insists’?

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    Mute Ted Carroll
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:45 PM

    Got you read the article. Nothing sensationalist about the truth so do a snappy headline to lure them in. Tabloid journalism 101 right there!

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    Mute Nicholas Ring
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    Apr 17th 2014, 12:49 PM

    I’m an Everton fan, that’s what got me reading the article. I see your point obviously, but I felt a duty to point it out. Cheers

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    Mute Kieran FitzGerald
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:11 AM

    Got to maintain confidence. Stay positive. I agree Arsenal will drop points so come on Everton!

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:22 AM

    But the problem is I think everton will drop points too although I hope to god they beat city:-))

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    Mute Peter - County Arms
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    Apr 17th 2014, 11:55 AM

    In fairness Roberto, much as I admire your confidence, Arsenal will finish ahead of Everton. It will probably be quite comfortable in the end because whatever other balls-ups we’ve had this season, and we’ve had many, our record against the bottom 12 (and Spurs) has been excellent.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Apr 17th 2014, 7:36 PM

    Everton have the harder fixtures though, couldn’t afford to lose at home to a relegation struggler. Would have been a good laugh if Arsenal won the FA cup but missed out on the Champions League, what would all the gooners complaining about having no trophies say about that.

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Apr 17th 2014, 6:05 PM

    Let’s stop all the talk and get on with the job and let the arsenal players spend their days in the papers please Roberto?

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