Roberto Martinez lauds "diamond" Ross Barkley

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has hailed Ross Barkley as the "diamond of English football" after the youngster propelled the club into the top four of the Premier League.

The 20-year-old hit an 84th-minute free kick to secure a narrow 2-1 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium this evening, strengthening the club's Champions League credentials in the process.

"Ross is growing game-by-game. He is showing different aspects, he is a quite incredible diamond of English football," he told BBC Sport.

Martinez also reserved praise for Seamus Coleman, whose long-range strike opened the scoring for the Toffees, by describing the Republic of Ireland international as the "complete footballer".

The Spaniard added: "I always felt Seamus Coleman is a very complete footballer. People sometimes try and find weaknesses, but he is very competent defender and his real strength is going forward.

"He also has the arrogance to try a strike from that distance. He gives a lot in the final third."

Martinez's side welcome lowly Sunderland to Goodison Park on Boxing Day, before hosting Southampton on Merseyside three days later.