Phelan frustrated by ‘elementary mistakes’

Hull City boss Mike Phelan cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle after seeing his side throw away a winning position against Everton on Friday night.

Phelan was convinced the Tigers would bank a precious three points in their fight against Premier League relegation but with just six minutes remaining midfielder Ross Barkley headed in the equaliser.

Everton fell behind to Michael Dawson’s strike before goalkeeper David Marshall’s own goal on the stroke of half-time levelled the match – Phelan described the goal as a ‘turning point’.

Scotland international Robert Snodgrass thought he had sealed the win with a fine free-kick before Barkley’s late intervention.

“Our endeavour was good, our performance was good but we still made those elementary mistakes which cost us again,” said Phelan.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)

“That is something we need to polish up on and quickly. You can find fault with any goal you concede and we all make mistakes, so it’s how you react to them.

“Conceding ten seconds before half time was a blow, but overall we put in another good shift, another good performance and this time we’ve taken a point from it – whereas we hadn’t taken any points from our performances in the last two or three games. Hopefully that can be a building block going forward.

“But I think the supporters have seen a real spirit and determination in the players during the last four or five games. They demand that and we’re giving them something, but we always need to try to do better to move up the table.”