Everton manager Ronald Koeman was pleased his public criticism of Ross Barkley had elicited the right response after the midfielder gave a strong performance in the club's 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The England international was withdrawn at half-time against Sunderland last Monday and Koeman pulled no punches afterwards, saying the 22-year-old needed to improve 'in all areas'.
Barkley responded with a battling Premier League performance against Middlesbrough, showing a willingness to track back and drove his team forward with his trademark direct running whenever he had the ball.
'Yes, maybe Ross was under pressure but if you don't handle the pressure you can't play in the Premier League,' Koeman told reporters.