Monday 5 October 2015 15:46, UK
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is pleased with the way in which his inexperienced defence has coped in recent weeks.
The Toffees have been without three of their regular back four in Seamus Coleman, John Stones and Leighton Baines, but the stand-ins have helped extend the team's unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.
Tyias Browning, Brendan Galloway and Ramiro Funes Mori all impressed in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park despite having just 17 minutes of derby experience between them before the game.
"Tyias performed with defensive arrogance, Brendan brings a smile to your face and Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka looked like a partnership that had been performing for years," Martinez said.
"Phil Jagielka has been the most consistent and best English centre-back in the last 12 months. It is no coincidence anyone around him performs."
Captain Jagielka is the only Everton defender to play every minute of every match this season and he has been pleased with way the replacements have slotted in during an injury crisis.
"We knew with injuries it would be a test for the lads and they tried their hardest," he told evertontv.
"It is all part of their learning curve and fantastic for them. It is also great for Ramiro getting this game time and learning the English game."
Funes Mori was signed from Argentinian club River Plate late in the transfer window for £9.5m and he enjoyed his first taste of derby action.
"It has the same intensity as the Superclasico [River Plate v Boca Juniors] back home," he said. "The fans make it very intense and when they scream you know you are in a derby.
"In Argentina, I played around six or seven derbies so for me I felt normal and it was good. Premier League football is very physical and the intensity of the game is high.
"I have to keep adapting to the Premier League, but I really like it and I'm enjoying my moment and I want to keep playing."
