THEY say what does not kill you, only makes you stronger – but Everton are still someway off making a full recovery.

Thursday’s 5-0 drubbing in Benfica, in mitigating circumstances, could have been a near fatal blow in one of the most testing, yet pivotal, weeks in Everton’s season.

Three games in six days, which commenced in the Estadio da Luz, and an injury problem that can comfortably be referred to as a crisis, is the ultimate test of strength for David Moyes’ squad.

Although the Europa League result will be one filed under ‘character building’, yesterday’s defeat at Bolton Wanderers will be looked on as a missed opportunity to revive a wounded squad.

Sunday’s 3-2 loss at the Reebok Stadium offered Moyes evidence of the shoots of recovery he will have craved, but it was a result in which self inflicted errors kicked them while they are down.

Having clawed back a two goal deficit, Everton levelled in the second half with Marouane Fellaini’s solo goal but threw away all they had worked so hard to achieve.

Everton were worthy of a point, their second half showing deserved as much, but the Premier League is an unforgiving world and mistakes will be punished.

A lack of fighting spirit is something which can never be levelled at Everton under Moyes, the Benfica loss proved as much, however the trip to Lisbon also hammered home poor defensive errors will cost you.

Though injuries meant yet another reshuffle of Everton’s back four, the experienced personnel should not have suffered from the early defensive jitters they did, giving Bolton a two goal head start and their winning goal.

Only two minutes had elapsed when Tamir Cohen was left unmarked at the back post from Jlloyd Samuel’s cross, fortunately for Everton he planted the ball wide of Howard’s post.

Another free headed chance went begging moments later as Kevin Davies leapt free to narrowly glance Matt Taylor’s in-swinging free-kick wide.