Martinez hails ‘remarkable’ Everton goal spree

Mark Holmes
Roberto Martinez: Hailed Everton's 'remarkable' attack after Aston Villa win

Roberto Martinez: Hailed Everton's 'remarkable' attack after Aston Villa win

Everton boss Roberto Martinez hailed his side’s “quite remarkable” goalscoring form after they thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 at Goodison Park.

Everton were 3-0 up by half-time thanks to Ross Barkley’s brace either side of a header from Romelu Lukaku, who became only the fifth player to score 50 Premier League goals before the age of 23.

The Belgian added his second around the hour mark to complete a convincing win.

Martinez was understandably thrilled with a display from his team in which the young attacking trio of Barkley, Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu were outstanding – but he was equally keen to flag the importance of the clean sheet kept, their first since September.

Martinez, whose side beat Sunderland 6-2 in their previous home outing and are up to seventh in the table, said: “I was delighted in the manner we played today – how we carried on the attacking threat from the Sunderland game, but also, more importantly, what we did off the ball and keeping a clean sheet. That was probably the key.

“Two games at home now with 10 goals from open play is quite remarkable – the talent we have we have going forward.

“Gerry (Deulofeu) has been at that level for many weeks now.

“And with Rom (Lukaku), we keep getting a reminder of what a special talent we have at the club. The other names who have achieved that landmark are an impressive list of footballers. The maturity he’s showing this season with the team is even more impressive.

“But then more impressively was the manner in which we kept Aston Villa very quiet today and got a very good clean sheet.”