Everton manager Roberto Martinez praised his side's defence and the quality of the goals scored in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
Gerard Deulofeu opened the scoring for the Toffees on 20 minutes before Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead in the 28th minute, but it was the defending led by John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori which prompted the praise of Martinez.
Martinez said: "I thought we defended really well and we had good attacking opportunities when maybe we should have taken the better option.
"The two goals were exceptional pieces of quality which you can never take for granted.
"But, after going 2-0 up, to keep the clean sheet was probably the most pleasing aspect."
