No wonder they talk about lies, damned lies and statistics. Somehow Everton registered their eighth successive home win in all competitions for the first time since 1986.

And later Swansea manager Garry Monk was forced to defend his tenure and meagre collection of league points, despite the fact that his team had impressed for long spells.

‘Eight straight wins is a phenomenal achievement,’ said a delighted Everton manager, Roberto Martinez.

‘To get good results consistently at home gives us excitement for the future and we have glamorous games coming up here against Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.’

They’ll have to play a lot better than this against quality opposition. The victory was far from convincing, though just about secured by Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku in a five-minute period when Swansea defenders went missing without warning.

Back in 1986, Everton had one of their greatest teams. If not for the Heysel disaster of the previous year – and the European ban which followed for English clubs — that side would have graced the continent’s most spectacular stadia and doubtless enjoyed the adventure earned by two domestic titles in three years.

The current crop of players are still miles away from serious title contention and they don’t seem very keen to play in the Europa League – whatever their manager Roberto Martinez might claim to the contrary.

They stuttered through a dreadful first-half as though mid-table anonymity might be preferable to a qualification for what would, after all, bring an extra workload. Even Martinez admitted to a ‘loss of discipline and focus, we were too sloppy and too open.’

But crucially they found a way to strike first. John Stones’ long pass against the run of play released Barkley, whose step-over fooled Chico Flores in the twentieth minute, prompting a clumsy trip just inside the area. Leighton Baines made no mistake from the spot.

Yet no one could have been very surprised when Wilfried Bony steered home Swansea’s equaliser from Angel Rangel’s cross, after fine passes from Pablo Hernandez and Wayne Routledge.

The half-time whistle was greeted with stupefied silence from a dissatisfied Goodison crowd, and you just knew Martinez was calling for increased discipline and a change in mentality during the interval.

Despite a shaky restart, the Toffees soon began to find a more dangerous rhythm, and Swansea couldn’t deal with the increased threat.

Under no pressure, Lukaku was able to lay a 53rd-minute pass off to Kevin Mirallas, who was similarly unhindered while presenting Lukaku with his return.

Swansea captain Ashley Williams was clueless in his attempt to cut off the cross. Everton were ahead again.

There was more chaos for Everton’s third. Mirallas delivered a dangerous corner, Bony missed the chance to head clear under pressure from Lukaku, and Barkley showed quick reflexes to head home.

Swansea manager Monk admitted: ‘When those bits of pressure happen, you have to manage it properly and we didn’t do that.’

And yet Everton still hadn’t put the game to bed. Goalkeeper Tim Howard had to make magnificent saves from Bony and Hernandez before he was finally beaten again in added time, by an unstoppable Williams header.

Fortunately for Martinez, it was too little too late and Monk admitted: ‘We have to get points on the board, I’ll be judged on results and until I’m told different I’ll continue to work as hard as possible.’

Monk insisted that he was ‘one hundred per cent’ confident he would still be Swansea manager next season and explained: ‘If I thought I wasn’t doing the right things, I’d hold my hands up. I wouldn’t sugar-coat it.’

Mercifully, his team look as though they possess enough of a threat up front to survive, even though Monk has gone eight games without a win in all competitions.

As for Everton’s statistics, they are a spin-doctor’s dream. But Martinez must know deep down there is much work to be done if they are to end the season on a high and demonstrate a convincing appetite for European football, the reward which was so cruelly denied those talented Boys of ’86.

—Daily Mail