Everton 2 Cardiff 1: Roberto Martinez eyes big-name scalps at Goodison

Roberto Martinez set his sights on securing big-name scalps at Goodison Park after watching his Everton side edge to victory over Cardiff City.

The Toffees struggled to break down their resilient visitors and it took a deflected Gerard Deulofeu effort to finally beat Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall in the 59th minute.

However, the Bluebirds struck back nine minutes later thanks to new signing Juan Torres Ruiz to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side hope of a much-needed win.

We are capable of beating anyone at Goodison and there are big games against Arsenal, Man United and Man City still to come

Roberto Martinez

But Cardiff were cruelly denied a point when Seamus Coleman’s deflected strike looped over Marshall in injury time to hand Everton victory.

“It was a really intense game. David Marshall in the Cardiff goal was phenomenal – it was a great performance,” Martinez said.

“We left it late because we couldn’t take the earlier chances. We deserved the win.

“I know how it feels for Cardiff. We had the same feeling at Chelsea a few weeks ago.”

With Arsenal and both Manchester clubs to travel to Goodison in the final 10 games of the season, Martinez challenged his side to secure big-name scalps in a bid to secure European football.

“We are capable of beating anyone at Goodison and there are big games against Arsenal, Man United and Man City still to come,” Martinez said.

He added: “We have 51 points now and mathematically we can still achieve very good things in the last 10 games of the season.”

Cardiff manager Solskjaer sympathised with his goalkeeper after a heroic performance in the Bluebirds goal.

He said: “David Marshall has been fantastic all season, he has some great defenders in front of him and he made some great saves but it was good bad ‘un that went in, [Seamus Coleman] sliced it in, but that’s football.”