Everton manager Roberto Martinez has heaped praise on midfielder Ross Barkley, claiming that the England international has "gone to a different level" after playing his 100th game for the Toffees.

Barkley, 21, scored his third goal of the season yesterday, which is already more than he managed last term, to equalise against Reading and kickstart the visitors' fightback in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Speaking about Barkley after the match, Martinez told PA: "I think he has gone to a different level.

"It is fair to say that this season, for someone so young to already to have 100 games for our football club is an immense landmark. I think he is a completely different player from what we saw last season or a couple of seasons back.

"Maturity, always controlling the big moments, he had to be the one scoring the equalising goal, the important goal and I think his overall performance was of a player with a lot more age than he has."

Barkley also netted his first international goal for England earlier this month in the 6-0 win over San Marino.