Roberto Martinez heaped praise on Joel Robles after Everton’s FA Cup fifth round win at Bournemouth.
The Toffees dominated the Vitality Stadium contest for long spells and booked themselves a last-eight berth courtesy of second half goals from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku.
Things could have been very different for the Merseysiders however had Robles not saved a first half penalty from Charlie Daniels.
The 25-year-old dived to his left and pushed away the spot kick after James McCarthy had been penalised for hand ball.
Martinez felt it was a defining moment in a game his team dominated and he says Robles deserves to have the spotlight shone upon him.
“The penalty arrived in an isolated situation where we didn’t deal with a corner and the penalty was right full awarded,” the Spaniard said.
“That was where we saw a very special performance from Joel Robles. He magnificent in the way he controlled the moment and the way he enjoyed being the goalkeeper for Everton.”
Robles has played second fiddle to Tim Howard at Goodison Park for some time but Martinez revealed the veteran American has been a tremendous help to his understudy in recent times.
Injury to Howard has handed Robles an opportunity to impress and the Everton boss says the former has played a big part in helping Atletico Madrid man seize his chance.
“I have to highlight the role Tim Howard has had in that. Since he has picked up his injury he has had an incredible influence on Joel to allow him to be relaxed, to allow him to be calm and that showed [against Bournemouth],” Martinez added.
Everton are 9.00 to win the FA Cup this season, while holders Arsenal are 5.00.
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