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Jose Mourinho bemoaned the glut of errors that cost Tottenham their place in the FA Cup - as he gave a detailed explanation on Gareth Bale's absence.
Bale did not travel to Merseyside for a game that Mourinho believed Tottenham played well enough to win, as he remained at Tottenham to receive treatment for an unspecified muscle injury that stopped him training on Monday.
Tottenham got off to a flying start when Davinson Sanchez scored in the third minute but the concession of five goals left the Portuguese manager bewildered and they had no answer when Bernard made it 5-4 in injury time.
© Provided by Daily MailTottenham crashed out of the FA Cup after losing 5-4 to Everton on Wednesday evening
© Provided by Daily MailBoss Jose Mourinho criticised Tottenham for their 'defensive mistakes' during the game
Mourinho said: 'We had the ball; we created, we had great movement, scored goals. Great character to fight against but goals only win games if you don't make so many mistakes. We were the best team, winning 1-0; then in five minutes it was mistake, mistake, mistake; goal, goal, goal.'
On Bale's absence from the travelling party, Mourinho added: I think it is better for me to say: we played against West Brom on the Sunday and he didn't play, he was on the bench, and Monday I was a bit surprised by him wanting to have a scan because he was not feeling comfortable.
'He didn't train on Monday. Then on the Tuesday, he trained with the team but I was informed his desire would be to work with the sports science for a couple of days to strengthen that area where he was not feeling comfortable. That is the reason why he is not here.
'I don't think it is an obvious injury, I would say he feels uncomfortable and because of that training session he couldn't be 100 per cent. I wanted to make it very clear the situation, which I am being completely open and honest about.'
© Provided by Daily MailHowever, he did praise Spurs for 'creating good chances' and showing 'great character'
© Provided by Daily MailHe claims attacking football only wins when you don't make more mistakes than you create
Everton's victory propelled them into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016. They had a number of outstanding performers, not least Gylfi Sigurdsson, who scored a penalty and created three more goals - including the winner - against his former team.
Fate was also on Everton's side as it had seemed for much of January as if Bernard was going to be sold to Al Nasr in Dubai.
'We've always thought a lot of Gylfi,' said Duncan Fergsuon, Everton's assistant head coach. 'Bernard is a great player and he always make an impact. It's great for him to score the winner. Tom Davies did very well too. He is moving in the right direction.'
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was substituted with a hamstring issue but Ferguson said the move was a precaution.
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