Roberto Martinez has paid tribute to his Everton team for their "immense" win over Sunderland to make it seven straight league victories.

An own goal from Wes Brown on 75 minutes was enough to propel the Toffees up to fourth in the table with their highest-ever points total in the Premier League.

"The most pleasing aspect is to have that character and focus to find a way to get a positive result. To get a win was immense and it just shows what we have got in the dressing room," he told the club's official website.

"Seven straight wins in the Premier League is not an easy stat to achieve with the diversity of styles you face, the requirements of the players and the stage of the season.

It is pleasing, but mostly for the players. To do it (seven straight wins), you need to be prepared to have really high standards and be prepared sometimes to suffer and sometimes to be expansive."

The Merseyside outfit continue their pursuit of Champions League qualification by hosting Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Tuesday night.