Everton boss Roberto Martinez felt Ross Barkley's return inspired their 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old played 65 minutes after recovering from a knee injury on the eve of the campaign and was instrumental in the 3-0 victory against Aston Villa, pulling the strings as Phil Jagielka and Romelu Lukaku scored before Seamus Coleman, also coming back from injury, added the third.
"The truth is eight days ago he was not an option in my mind to start the game," said the Spaniard.
"We benefited from the international break and he has been working individually and as a group and was phenomenal.
"On Thursday he put the ball in the top corner out of nothing and scored three goals in a little exercise we did and it was his way of telling everyone he was ready and he was desperate to be on the pitch.
"The way he trained I had no doubts and there was no risk from a medical point of view.
"The only doubt was how long he could last and he lasted longer than I expected and some of his movement off the ball early looked as if he had played every game this season.
"Sometimes you ask if he was born to play football. As human beings you are not born to kick a ball but he looks more natural with a ball than without it.
"He has a phenomenal knack to be born to play football. I thought he was sensational in that respect."
