Ross Barkley's stunning late free-kick helped Everton beat Swansea and move into the Premier League top four. The 20-year-old midfielder missed a chance early in the second half and hit the bar from 20 yards before whipping the winner in off the crossbar. In a frenetic second period, Seamus Coleman gave Everton the lead from 25 yards, before Dwight Tiendalli's volley was deflected in off Bryan Oviedo. Everton, now 10 games unbeaten, sit two points off leaders Liverpool.
Toffees manager Roberto Martinez, who played for Swansea before guiding them to League One promotion as manager in 2008, said returning to south Wales brought back "great emotions" ahead of kick-off. Barkley's winner will have sent the Spaniard back to Merseyside in similarly upbeat mood. Everton, whose defenders have now contributed eight of their 29 league goals this season, have still only lost once in the league. Only Italian side Roma and German champions Bayern Munich have lost fewer league games across Europe than the Toffees, whose verve and confidence was on show for all to see in the second half against Michael Laudrup's side. As for Swansea, who have never beaten Everton, Sunday's defeat means they have recorded just two wins in nine outings.
