Everton boss Martinez defends Mirallas over Swansea City red

Roberto Martinez looks down as Kevin Mirallas leaves the field after his red card. 

Roberto Martinez insists Kevin Mirallas had no intention to hurt Modou Barrow with the tackle that saw him sent off during Everton's goalless draw with Swansea City.

Second-half substitute Mirallas lasted just 112 seconds on the pitch before being dismissed for a challenge that referee Stuart Atwell deemed was reckless and over the ball.

But Martinez is adamant that the Belgian winger was simply demonstrating the enthusiasm he demands from all of his substitutes.

I always tell my subs to come on and give real intensity, so I was pleased with the manner of Kevin Mirallas arriving on to the pitch.

I thought it was more a striker trying to defend and putting in a defensive challenge and it looked worse than it actually was.

I haven't seen in detail but it was his first challenge and sometimes you have to see it with more common sense, I felt he didn't have intention to hurt the Swansea player.

– ROBERTO MARTINEZ POST-MATCH

Swansea City boss Garry Monk was determined to focus on the positives of his side's performance in bouncing back from a first defeat of the season away to Watford last weekend.

I'm much happier this week than last week. We showed if you can't win a game you then at least don't lose it.

This performance was day and night to last week and it's pleasing to have a clean sheet.

The other side of it is that Everton have got some great players but we showed that we are on an even keel with them.

We're performing just as well as them and that shows how far we've come.