Everton manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on midfielder Ross Barkley following his performance in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.
Dele Alli stole the headlines at Goodison Park with a fine equalising goal to earn a point for his side, but Martinez believes that Barkley's display deserves more praise than that of his compatriot.
The Everton boss was delighted with Barkley's all-round contribution and hailed the evolution that the youngster has made since breaking into the first team.
"I thought Ross Barkley was immense. I know Dele Alli's a young man, he's grabbing headlines, he's doing well, and rightly so," Martinez is quoted as saying by talkSPORT.
"But in Ross we've seen an incredible evolution over the last three season; from a player with an incredible talent, with technical ability and power and pace, to becoming a thinker. He's someone that can do the defensive work, like he did in the first half today, then becoming an incredible threat on the counter in the second, finding space, always wanting the ball.
"He's such a brave man to take the ball into any situation, and then having that quality and eye to find an assist and a goal. I thought his performance today was of an incredible maturity."
The draw means that Everton remain nine points adrift of fourth-placed Spurs and the Champions League places.
Barney Corkhill
