Roberto Martinez insists that defeat in this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final will not define Everton’s season.
Saturday’s visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park represents the Blues only chance at redeeming the current campaign as a success after a top four finish was rendered unlikely, with the club languishing 12th in the Premier League table.
But Martinez, whose team will run out before Everton’s new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri for the first time in the clash, believes a loss to Guus Hiddink’s side would not signify the end to their fortunes between now and May 15.
He said: “I do not see it as make or break These are the games we can achieve something special. We need to take the pain and experiences we’ve had and get a good result.
“Of course [it hurts], sometimes it’s a lot easier to accept the opposition are better than you, in our case we see the potential and these experiences will give us the opportunity to get results.
“We will never give up and accept defeat.”