Roberto Martinez: 'Ross Barkley is not a diver'

Roberto Martinez has insisted that Ross Barkley is not a diver following recent criticism directed at the Everton attacking midfielder.

Barkley was in the spotlight on the weekend after winning a free kick from Kevin Nolan, despite replays showing that he was not touched by the West Ham United midfielder in Everton's 2-1 victory at Goodison Park.

Martinez claims that the incident has been "blown out of the proportion", and the Everton manager suggested that the England international was preparing himself for a challenge which did not arrive.

"I don't think it was a dive as such. When you are a player like Ross Barkley and you are getting so many knocks and kicks during the game, the only thing he did was anticipate a tackle that didn't arrive," the Spaniard told reporters.

"He tried to get out of the way. I don't think he looks for those sort of decisions. He wasn't trying to buy a decision."

Everton meet Wolfsburg in the Europa League on Thursday night.