Everton manager Roberto Martinez has defended Gerard Deulofeu after the Spaniard appeared to fall to ground easily during the defeat to Arsenal, but has warned that the 21-year-old must learn to understand the culture of the game in the Premier League.
Deulofeu was subject to repeated boos from the home fans after he hit the floor theatrically under a challenge from Nacho Monreal during the Toffees' 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Martinez defended his countryman but insisted that he must focus on changing his style of play in order to be a success in England.
"Gerard is a young man who has come into a very different game and he needs to understand the culture of the British game," Martinez told reporters.
"I love to see players who care and want to make things happen. He is an emotional player and I don't think he was disrespectful in any way. When they keep hitting you with every chance they get, sometimes you are going to feel the challenge comes your way and maybe you are going to go to ground that little bit easier.
"Maybe he has to learn that, but it is difficult as a striker or an attacking player to cope with the amount of bad treatment you get from defenders. Gerard has incredible talent, he worries defenders and you could see at the end they had three players around him. He carries that threat."
Deulofeu joined Everton permanently this summer from Barcelona after a successful loan spell at the club in 2013-14.
Tom Nightingale
