Martinez calls for cutting edge

Martinez is still awaiting his first Barclays Premier League win as Toffees boss after draws in the opening three games of the season.

The last two of those, against West Brom and Cardiff, were goalless affairs but Martinez is not overly concerned about his side's lack of potency.

The Spaniard said: "We need to realise you shouldn't need so many chances to score a goal.

"When you don't score goals, the first thing you ask is - do you create enough?

"It becomes a big problem if you haven't got the way of playing to get into the final third with a real threat.

"That hasn't been the case, if you look at the amount of corners, good opportunities we have had.

"We are really excited and looking forward to making sure we convert those chances.

"We could easily be sitting here now with nine points. Now it is time to finish the performance off with goals."

The Merseysiders will get their next opportunity to secure that first victory as Chelsea visit Goodison Park this evening.

Martinez bolstered his attacking options on transfer deadline day by signing Romelu Lukaku on loan from Londoners but he is not permitted to play against his parent club.

That could give the out-of-form Nikica Jelavic, who has scored just once in his last 24 outings for the club, another opportunity to end his goal drought.

The same player scored 11 goals in his first 16 Everton games after signing from Rangers in January 2012 and Martinez is confident the Croatian will come good.

He said: "He has been in the right frame of mind and working extremely hard for the team.

"If a striker has five or six chances and misses them all then it is an individual problem, but I don't think now you can blame the strikers at all.

"Now we have good competition for places - Arouna Kone, Romelu Lukaku and Nikica Jelavic.

"I couldn't be happier with three strikers of that calibre but I do think we need to take the responsibility as a team."

Jelavic is one of a number of players to have returned from international duty and Martinez wants to build momentum from any positive experiences.

That applies particularly to 19-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley, who made his England debut against Moldova last week.

Martinez said: "He is really satisfed and excited but the good thing about Ross is he never gets carried away, nothing fazes him.

"In the same way he was really excited to join with England and have the opportunity to work with the senior side, he is excited about the weekend in the same manner.

"It is important when you go away and represent your country that you get a good feeling about your performance and you play your football.

"Overall I am very pleased. I think the players have been true ambassadors of Everton and a credit to their families.

"I thought they had a very successful period away."

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