Round praise for Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s growing influence on Everton’s surge into the top six has been hailed by assistant boss Steve Round.

Arteta’s two first-half goals, and his overall contribution to yesterday’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland, ruined Ricky Sbragia’s debut as the Wearsiders’ permanent boss after being elevated from his caretaker role.

Round, standing in for boss David Moyes at the post-match media conference, said: “A lot of good stuff came from Mikel, he has that sort of talent. He scored two, one with an exceptional free-kick, while teen prospect Dan Gosling grabbed the other.

“But I was delighted with his overall performance, he was exceptional.

“He controlled the game and the tempo and made a lot of telling passes.

“Mikel has never been a prolific goal scorer, but that is his challenge now. We know he can create and assist, but we want him to take more on board.”