Roberto Martinez has made it clear that Joel Robles was not at fault for the goal Everton conceded in Sunday's 2-1 win over Southampton.
The Spanish goalkeeper, in his first Premier League start for the Toffees, saw Gaston Ramirez's 71st-minute effort dip under and past him with critics and the player himself suggesting the ball could have been saved.
But Martinez was quick to defend his player who had a solid outing as replacement for the suspended Tim Howard.
"Joel is blaming himself, but I don't think that is the case," he said.
"It is one of those goals where when you watch the replay, you feel the goalkeeper should have had it.
"But I thought when I watched it live; you should probably blame the people who design these footballs.
"If you hit them well, they swerve everywhere and it becomes a gamble for the keeper - it can hit the arms, it could have gone anywhere.
"When you watch it live, I don't think Joel is to blame. I think Gaston Ramirez hit the ball really well.
"I thought Joel had a really good game - he was in control of his box, and showed great understanding with two centre-halves he has never played with before.
"I feel it was a very good debut."
