Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti says his side missed a big opportunity to stay in contention for a finish in the European places as the Toffees lost at home to Aston Villa.
Anwar El Ghazi's superb second-half strike secured victory for the visitors and dealt a significant blow to Everton's chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
El Ghazi curled home from the edge of the box with 10 minutes remaining to secure Villa only their third win in their last 11 league games.
El Ghazi's winner was the only highlight of a relatively flat second half that failed to build on a pulsating first.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring when he pounced on a mistake by Mason Holgate before slotting past Jordan Pickford.
However, Everton hit back soon after when Dominic Calvert-Lewin powered home a header following a corner.
Everton had started the day six points off the top four but this defeat, coupled with a win for Chelsea, means they are now nine points adrift of Thomas Tuchel's side.
"We lost a big opportunity to stay in the fight," Ancelotti told BBC Sport. "We're still in the fight but with less possibility and more difficulties.
"We didn't start the game as well as this kind of game demands. It was an important game and would have been an important result."
