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Everton's David Unsworth 'couldn't care less' about Joey Barton criticism

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Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth says his side didn't perform in the first half of their 2-0 defeat to Leicester

David Unsworth says he "couldn't care less" about Joey Barton's comments criticising his ability to be a football manager.

Claude Puel started life at Leicester with a 2-0 win over Everton on Super Sunday, which left the Toffees marooned in the relegation zone after a dismal start to the season.

Unsworth is taking caretaker charge following the sacking of Ronald Koeman and remains among the front-runners for the full-time job but his influence had little affect on Everton's performance level.

Barton, who now works as a football pundit after being banned from professional football for breaking betting rules, claimed on talkSPORT that Unsworth is just a "glorified PE teacher" and also criticised his weight.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14:  Joey Barton of Burnley shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton at Tur
Image: Joey Barton criticised David Unsworth on TalkSport

When asked about Barton's comments, Unsworth said: "It's not a problem what Joey Barton says - I couldn't care less."

Everton were punished by Leicester's pace on the break as Jamie Vardy (18) and a heavily-deflected Demarai Gray effort off Jonjoe Kenny (28) gave them an early advantage.

Unsworth was frustrated with his team's first-half showing.

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"Today's first half was not acceptable but we reacted and dominated without getting the result our performance justified," he told Sky Sports.

"I'll pick teams which I think will win any game of football. But it doesn't matter on reputation or value on that player.

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Leicester 2-0 Everton

"Whoever becomes Everton manager, myself included, needs time with this set of players because you all have your different ideas on how you want to play. I certainly do and you need time to implement those ideas."

Chances were few and far between for Everton in a game Leicester controlled, although they had a good shout for a penalty turned down just before half-time when Aaron Lennon was challenged by Christian Fuchs.

"I'm told it was a penalty - although I couldn't really see," Unsworth said.

"I always look for the reaction of the players and they looked like it was nailed on. It would've been a different team talk had we got in at half-time at 2-1."

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