Roberto Martinez was delighted to get all 3 points against Newcastle
He said: “I thought we were very good in the first half. We defended extremely well, we restricted Newcastle to very little threat, and then from that point on, some of our attacking play was fascinating to see.
“Our link-up play between Romelu, Ross, Kevin Mirallas, it was at its best. We saw phases of play that are as good as we can produce.
“And once that happens, sometimes you can score too many goals! Sometimes you go in with just a one-goal lead, and you can keep the tension in the second half.
“Newcastle have terrific individual players, and you were always going to get a reaction. But after we conceded the first goal, I thought we controlled the game. Newcastle took risks, and we had two or three really good opportunities, but it is normal when a side has nothing to lose.
“I was pleased with how we held on to the three points. It was two different performances from the first half to the second. It was a very well deserved three points.”
Martinez was full of praise for on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku
He said: “He’s a young man that has got everything as a striker. Sometimes you see a number nine that is powerful and that has got a great physical presence, but what Romelu brings is a real awareness of what’s around him.
“He was a focal point today, and that understanding, that relationship with Ross Barkley was magic at times.
“You could predict the link up play that he had with Ross. He had it in the second half at West Ham, and there is a natural understanding with Kevin Mirallas from the national team. I have been very impressed with his build-up play, and I thought he was clinical and a real threat. That’s really exciting for the future.
“He’s a great goalscorer, and I think the reception that he had at Goodison settled him down. He looked like a player who felt at home, and that’s very pleasing from my point of view. I want him to feel at home, I want him to develop and I want him to become as good as he can.
He added: “It’s a good start to the season, but that’s all it is. We were disappointed with the return we had from the first three games, I thought our performances were very good in those games and deserved a lot more.
“What pleases me is that we have been very consistent in our performances. Three wins gives us a great opportunity now to look forward, but there is a long way to go.”