Roberto Martinez: Very pleased with where we are

Everton pulled off quite the comeback last night against West Bromwich Albion, coming back from two goals down against a Tony Pulis side to win 3-2. Manager Roberto Martinez was effusive with his praise for the side.

On the reaction of the players after going down by two goals -

"The reaction was the most pleasing aspect of the performance. We took responsibility and wanted to get a win with a completely different attitude.


"Our first-half performance wasn't up to our normal level. I wouldn't say we were playing badly but every player was off by two or thee per cent. We couldn't find passes and we were quite loose. We were ordinary, even though we created the best chance for Ross Barkley.

"In the second half, I wouldn't say it was a change from one or two players - it was the whole team. We had a reset and then it was a completely different approach."

On the inexperienced defensive lineup that started the game -

"In any other squad that has got five major players from the back-four missing, you would find it difficult to find a way perform.

"It's incredible how our squad can cope. We have youngsters ready to perform and step in and that was a really pleasing aspect.

"There are no excuses. The culture around our football club is one of opportunities."

On the team's shaky first half -

"I spoke before the game and I knew that we were going to score, but what we knew is that we were facing a team which is incredibly well organised and possibly has the best defensive structure that there is in the league.

"You need to have real direction in how you are going to break them down.

"When you play off the cuff you are going to get frustrated and it's quite rare to get the opportunity to score three goals from open play, especially when you are chasing the scoreline and the home team can take time and get organised and be thorough in what they are trying to do.

"Our first half performance wasn't up to the level.

"We didn't play badly but every player was off two or three per cent. We couldn't find good length of passes. We couldn't defend with intensity. We were playing loose. We were quite ordinary, even though we created the best chance of the half with a good ball from Gerard Deulofeu.

"The second half was the most pleasing aspect of the whole performance. We took responsibility and went into the second half wanting to win with a completely different attitude."

On Man of the Match Romelu Lukaku -

"He has an elite brain and you can see when he puts his mind to it he can achieve anything.

"I always said Rom has got that unique strength of being the man the team needs and in the second half it wasn't a coincidence he was the one who scored the goal straight after.

"When you score two goals and you get an assist it's impressive. When you look at the way West Brom defend they are very good in what they do. He had a real desire to get on the end of the crosses and it made a real difference."

On unsung hero of the day Deulofeu -

"He is always measured by what he doesn't do for the team, but we all know the quality he has.

"What I thought today was that he showed he has the maturity to understand adversity. He never lost concentration, he never lost focus and he had two fantastic assists.

"But on top of that he wanted to stay on the pitch.

"Any other footballer of his type, once he's done his job and assisted the winner, would be quite happy to get off and put his feet up.

"He's an incredible boy now. He has that understanding of what the team needs. He wanted to work hard and to stay there and be part of the winning team finishing the game.

"He has earned his starting position today and I was pleased in the manner he played in the second half."

On the team's top six ambitions -

"We know how difficult it is to break into the top six, or to stay in that group. The League is incredible this campaign, we all know it has been very competitive over the years, but this season is even harder.

"We are very pleased with where we are, but we know that we need to work a lot hardwer to stay consistent with our results."