Steve Round praised Denis Stracqualursi after the striker scored his first goal for Everton in the FA Cup fourth round win over Fulham.
Assistant manager believes Everton deserved to win cup tie
Everton assistant manager Steve Round praised Denis Stracqualursi after the striker scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup fourth round win over Fulham.
Stracqualursi has struggled to make an impact for the Toffees since joining on loan from Tigre last summer, but was given an opportunity against Fulham.
His header drew Everton level after Danny Murphy's penalty had put the visitors in front and Marouane Fellaini then scored the winner to send David Moyes' side into the last 16.
Round said: "I am really pleased for him, he is a terrific lad. He comes in every day to the training ground and works so hard.
Rewards
"When you come from abroad it is difficult to settle into the Premier League but the lads have taken to him because of his work ethic.
"You saw that today - he ran and ran until he couldn't run any more. He got his just rewards, it was a great header. Hopefully he will get a few more."
Round also felt Fulham's penalty was harsh after Johnny Heitinga was penalised for handball and he believes Everton deserved to progress.
He added: "I think we deserved it. Their goal was against the run of play. It was a very difficult decision for the referee to give and I don't envy him in those positions.
"It did hit his hand but I think it was more ball to hand than hand to ball. We didn't think it was a penalty, it was quite harsh, but to come back, the team showed great spirit, great togetherness.
"We got the goal and then I thought we would go on and win it.
"We showed more ambition and I thought every time we put the ball in the net from a shot or cross we looked a real threat."
