Stoke City boss Tony Pulis refused to turn on his players after defeat at Everton.

Stoke have now won just once in 12 league matches and are only four points above the relegation zone despite their 13th-place position.

"I thought the last two away games, Newcastle and here, we have deserved something out of the game and it is just disappointing," said Pulis.

"You can't fault the players' commitment. I thought we played some good football at times and I don't think the players get the credit for the football we do play.

"We had chances but the disappointing thing is we haven't put them in the back of the net.

"I have been managing for a long time. I know for a fact, in our fifth year in the Premier League, our performances have been much better than the previous four years away from home but we haven't got the results.

"It has been that sort of season for us where we've been closer to winning games and being in games than we have before.

"What we need more than anything is a break - or to play badly and win a game."