Everton vs Young Boys: Roberto Martinez rejects 'cheap talk' on Everton

Toffees lead Europa League tie 4-1 after first-leg

Everton's Romelu Lukaku heads the ball in front of Young Boys' goalkeeper (Getty Images)

Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, has hit back at what he feels has been some “cheap talk” about his players’ efforts of late.

After pulling off a 4-1 Europa League last-32 first-leg victory over Young Boys in Berne last Thursday, Martinez’s side scraped a 2-2 draw against the Premier Leagues bottom side Leicester on Sunday.

Among those criticised over their performances in the Leicester game – which left 12th-placed Everton with a recent run of only two wins in 14 league matches – were 21-year-olds Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley. But speaking ahead of tonight’s second leg against Young Boys at Goodison Park, Martinez said: “I think there has been a lot of cheap talk from the outside, a lot of talk about Romelu Lukaku, about Ross Barkley and about our form. We just accept that – all we need to do is focus on winning games and enjoying our football.”

Defender John Stones is suspended after being sent off in the first leg, while the on-loan winger Aaron Lennon is cup-tied. Everton are also set to be without Bryan Oviedo (hamstring), Christian Atsu (illness) and Aiden McGeady (knee), but Leon Osman (foot) and Steven Pienaar (knee) will have late fitness tests.