Martinez maintains positive outlook

Southampton 2 Everton 0

Naturally the Everton manager was disappointed by his team’s display at Southampton. Who wouldn’t be, after two first half goals combined with one of their worst performances of the season to hand Arsenal an even greater advantage in the race for fourth place?

But true to form, Martinez drew on the positives, highlighting a run that has brought 24 points from a possible 30 while insisting Everton could still be competing in next season’s Champions League if they win their final two matches.

He also managed to maintain the mood when asked to confront the possibility that the Europa League now appears the more likely reward for a season when Martinez has guided the club out of the David Moyes era in unexpectedly impressive style.

If the manager is concerned that the demands of travelling to some of European football’s less familiar outposts on Thursday evening can provide as many problems as it does rewards, he isn’t showing it.

If Everton do fall short of the top four and find themselves unable to maintain the progress of this season, they will not be the first club to be able to point the finger of blame at the Europa League.

Yet in Martinez’s eyes, European football, any European football, will help the development of his side although he is well aware that his current squad will need to be expanded to cope with the demands that it brings. “European football would be a phenomenal experience,” said the manager. “It’s true that the squad needs to reflect those demands, needs to have more numbers and sign players but that would be a lot of work that I would embrace and clearly this summer we have to do it.

“It’s not about improving, it’s about increasing. When you’re playing in Europe you need to have another six or seven and that’s the reality and we will do that, it’s not an issue.”

Increasing the size of the squad would be easier if Everton knew they were going to bank the hefty cheque Champions League football brings.

That looks less likely now, though, given this defeat left Martinez’s side a point behind Arsenal who face Newcastle this evening. Victory for Arsene Wenger’s side would surely present the Merseysiders with too big a hurdle to overcome.

Should his team fall short, Martinez will point to last week’s home defeat to Crystal Palace and this loss as the games that undid their challenge. Two first-half headed own-goals, the first by Antolin Alcaraz in the first minute followed by Seamus Coleman’s unwanted 32nd minute contribution proved the difference although Southampton fully deserved this victory.

Their clutch of World Cup hopefuls – Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and, a new contender, right-back Nathaniel Clyne — shone in front of England manager Roy Hodgson as Mauricio Pochettino’s side showed why they have been one of the most refreshing things to happen to the Premier League this season.

Lallana and Shaw, in particular, have found themselves the subject of growing transfer speculation with Manchester United taking a very close interest in both players whose stock can only rise.

Pochettino, the Southampton manager, refused to take questions on the futures of some of his prized assets, insisting this was no time to look to the future, but it is clear a lot of attention this summer will be focused on St Mary’s Stadium.

Jose Fonte, the Southampton defender, is confident that Shaw is well equipped to handle his growing status and believes the teenager has done more than enough to earn a place at the World Cup in Brazil as the back-up left-back, a position he is contesting with Chelsea’s Ashley Cole with Leighton Baines the expected first choice.

“He is one of those players who knows he is a good player, he knows he has the ability, he is one of those kids who don’t care about anything but to do the job,” said Fonte. ” He is very confident and his ability. For me he is almost on the plane to Brazil.

“Luke is young and fearless and goes forward and everyone knows he is a top player. If he doesn’t go to Brazil I would be very shocked.”

SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3): Boruc 7: Clyne 9, Fonte 7, Lovren 6, Shaw 7; Davis 7 (Do Prado 88, 6), Wanyama 9, Cork 7; Lambert 8, Gallagher 7 (Ward-Prowse 74, 6), Lallana 8 (Reed 85,6).

EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 6; Coleman 5, Stones 5, Alcaraz 4, Baines 6 (Garbutt 90); Barry 6, McCarthy 7; Barkley 6 (Osman 46, 7), Naismith 6, Deulofeu 5 (McGeady 58, 7); Lukaku 5.

Referee: Michael Oliver