Everton 1 - 1 Swansea City: Instant Reaction

Roberto Martinez brought his Everton team to Wales on the heels of three straight wins in the Premier League. Swansea City had visions of beating the Blues for the first time ever in the league, and the second time at Liberty Stadium this season. But the result was a draw after Jonjo Shelvey converted a penalty won from a Seamus Coleman handball in the 68th minute.

Substitutions from both sides made the difference in the first half. Bafetimbi Gomis was looking dangerous for Swansea, but had to come off after what looked like a hamstring injury. Steven Pienaar was Martinez's solution for the Toffees in the 28th minute, coming on for Leon Osman. The South African added width and pace to the previously nonexistent Everton attack.

Aaron Lennon put Everton up 1-0 in the 41st minute. An excellent James McCarthy cross found it's way past Gareth Barry's diving foot, then Lennon took it down and calmly slotted it past Lukasz Fabianski.

Everton were very much the better side early in the second half, but that began to change around the hour mark. Arouna Kone, on a yellow from the first half, was nearly sent off for a second yellow on a few occasions, a very poor performance from the Ivorian. With the equalizer seemingly imminent, Coleman handled the ball in the box in the 68th minute, and Shelvey stepped up to the penalty spot and leveled the scores for the hosts.

The absence of Romelu Lukaku was glaring today, especially in light of the play of Kone. Martinez's reluctance to make a substitute continues to puzzle, and Steven Naismith didn't come on for Kone until the 76th minute.

Kevin Mirallas entered the game as a substitute for Ross Barkley in the 85th minute, but the Belgian couldn't provide the spark to get the winner for Everton. It was disappointing to draw after looking better than the home team for most of the match, but such has been the season for the Blues. Burnley come to Goodison Park next Saturday.