Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that he and his players are using recent criticism to spur them on as they try to end a winless run.

The Merseyside outfit have lost their last four Premier League games and were on the verge of an FA Cup exit in the third round until Romelu Lukaku rescued a draw against West Ham United to force a replay at the weekend.

"I'm sure from the outside there will be people asking questions," Martinez told reporters. "But that has made us even stronger and it has made us a little bit more focused about where we are and what we want to achieve.

"The winning mentality in the group is strong and now it about getting back to a very simple approach, making sure we perform in a manner which can start a real good run of performances."

Everton's next game is at home to Manchester City on Saturday.