Roberto Martinez hoping for Everton reaction following back-to-back defeats

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged his players to quickly bounce back following yesterday's 1-0 defeat against Stoke City.

The Toffees, who return to action tomorrow afternoon with a trip to face Newcastle United, have dropped 11 points off a top-four spot having won just one of their last six league games.

Speaking after his side's latest setback, Martinez told reporters: "I don't think in general we are lacking confidence, but I think this is a moment of the season that is pivotal for us - seeing how we can react.

"The reaction now has to be that we make sure we know what we are doing. We have a real understanding of how to perform and if we can keep that, the results will come.

"But football gives you these sorts of challenges, and this is the challenge of the season. We need to make sure we get through this period stronger than ever, and that could really give us a very strong second half of the season."

Everton's loss against Stoke saw them suffer their first back-to-back defeats of the season.