Leighton Baines: "It was a battle"

Everton left-back Leighton Baines has admitted that his side had to battle to claim the three points in their 1-0 win against Stoke City on Saturday evening.

Baines was also quick to pay tribute to match-winner Kevin Mirallas, whose first-half strike was the only goal of the game.

"It was a battle and we knew we would have to do that," BBC Sport quotes Baines as saying. "It was a tough old game and the quality was probably not what we wanted.

"It was a great goal and solo run. Mirallas has pace and skill plus a great finish, and he showed all those things.

"We are fighters, and we will give everything we have got to reach Europe. It is a massive game coming up against Tottenham."

Everton travel to Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday.