Saturday 27 September 2014 16:19, UK
Roberto Martinez praised Phil Jagielka for a magnificent goal after Everton’s draw with Liverpool, but admitted Kevin Mirallas’ injury ‘seems bad’.
Everton trailed 1-0 to their Merseyside rivals as the game entered stoppage-time, but Jagielka equalised with a stunning shot from distance which Martinez believes may be the best strike he has seen live.
It ensured a point for Everton and was especially pleasing for Martinez following some recent criticism of Jagielka.
"I don't think I've seen a better strike in live football," Martinez told evertontv. "It had to be incredible to go in the top corner and it was.
“The way he adjusted his body is very impressive. And to get that power almost off the outside of his laces - it's some strike.
I don't think I've seen a better strike in live football. It had to be incredible to go in the top corner and it was.
"Phil has had a lot of unfair criticism from the outside recently and there is no better way to respond to adversity than that, because defensively he also played an important role for us today."
Everton have made a stuttering start to the season and Martinez was delighted with the battling qualities his side showed to come back after Steven Gerrard had opened the scoring.
He said: “We had two choices; accept it wasn't our day or keep fighting.
"We showed incredible belief and character and we got our rewards.
"We had to show a great defensive intensity and we did that, though we weren't ourselves going forward.
"As a result, I'd say it's our best of the season so far because of what it could give us. It could lift us and change the dynamic of our season."
Everton lost Mirallas due to injury in the first half and the Belgian’s hamstring will now be checked out after he had to be carried off on a stretcher.
Mirallas has been a key player for the club this season but Martinez fears he could be facing a spell on the sidelines.
He added: "It seems bad. It's a hamstring. We're going to assess him in the next 24 hours.
"Kevin has been in great form and we've got a lot of games coming up. It's very unfortunate for us."
