Romelu Lukaku became the first Evertonian to score 20 goals in successive seasons since Graeme Sharp 30 years ago with a penalty earned by Cleverley’s third-man dash into the area. Then Cleverley whipped in the corner from which Seamus Coleman netted his first goal of the season and Lennon sealed the win by half-time.

Even if his manager’s gushing bordered on hyperbole, Martinez believes Cleverley’s increased resilience means he has never played better. “I think he can go even further,” the Spaniard, who loaned Cleverley for Wigan, five years ago, said.

“I think you do not have a better English player. Technically, he is as good as you get. The way he executes, how he reads the game, for me he is one of the most sensational you are going to see in Premier League history.