Everton manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on goalkeeper Joel Robles following his performance in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Bournemouth this evening.
The Toffees booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition courtesy of goals from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku at Dean Court, although they were also indebted to Joel for denying Charlie Daniels from the penalty spot with the scores goalless in the first half.
Martinez, who named an unchanged starting XI for the cup tie, admitted that their first-half display was disappointing, but was effusive in his praise for the shot-stopper.
"In the first half, when we were on the ball, I thought was probably our worst performance this season. We were very sloppy, very disappointing. Then the penalty arrives from a corner we didn't deal with. And I thought that's where we saw a very special performance from Joel Robles," Martinez told reporters.
"He was magnificent in the way he controlled the moment, and in the way he enjoys being the goalkeeper of Everton. He has been working so hard behind the scenes. Tim [Howard] has been an incredible influence on him and that showed today.
"There wasn't any need to make changes. We have good footballers on the bench and the key of success for us until the end of the season is to see high standards. I just feel football will make the decisions, not me rotating and making changes for the sake of it."
Everton have not won the FA Cup since 1995.
Barney Corkhill
