Martinez switches keep Toffees ticking

Everton 3 Swansea 1

Steven Naismith, brought on as a replacement on the hour, scored one goal and won a penalty which Leighton Baines converted as Everton broke open a tie that had been evenly balanced at 1-1 from the 15th minute after debutant Lacina Traore and Jonathan de Guzman had traded early goals.

And, on a weekend in which a number of Premier League managers had come under scrutiny for fielding weakened line-ups — something which Swansea’s Gary Monk chose to do to the tune of eight changes — Martinez’s decision to avoid such a temptation was vindicated. Swansea’s team selection and general attitude was one which angered ITV pundit Roy Keane who was moved to comment: “I feel very strongly, shame on them really. The fact is, even when they were 3-1 down, they didn’t really give it a go.”