Everton manager Roberto Martinez has praised his players for showing the character to see off Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Toffees were pegged back at 1-1 with less than 20 minutes remaining, but goals from Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith ensured they returned to Merseyside with all three points.

"The performance was as pleasing as you are going to get," Martinez is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "The character of the group was the key. We never gave up and kept an important clean sheet in the first half that allowed us to regroup.

"We then saw a performance full of guts and determination and a never-say-die attitude which is needed as the platform in any winning team. I couldn't be prouder and doing it in front of our fans, who were incredible, makes it a very satisfying day."

Everton face Arsenal next weekend, the side directly above them in the Premier League table.