Everton manager Roberto Martinez expressed his pride at the way his team approached their task after they triumphed 1-0 at Manchester United.
In what was the first meeting between the two clubs since United boss David Moyes defected from one to the other over the summer, the Toffees, by securing an away victory over the Red Devils, achieved what they had failed to in their 11 years under the Scot, and last managed in 1992.
Martinez said: “It was more than a football game for us - it was about trying to get over the mental block that we have had for many, many years. Someone told me it was 20-odd years since we won at Old Trafford. It was about being ourselves throughout the game. I couldn’t be prouder.
“We never felt inferior. I have always felt this squad is capable of going anywhere in this league and playing teams eye to eye. I told the boys afterwards that this gives a real indication of what can be achieved. But we need to carry on improving, carry on getting better.”
Everton full-back Bryan Oviedo netted late on in the Barclays Premier League contest.
The Toffees have lost only once in the league this term and are fifth in the table, three points off second.
While things could hardly be going better for Martinez at Everton, it continues to be a testing time for his predecessor Moyes, with United down to ninth and now 12 points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
After the loss, the champions' fourth top-flight defeat of the season, Moyes stressed his belief his side can still be contenders for this season's Premier League title.
Asked about the 12-point gap, Moyes - who received a hostile reception from Everton fans during the game - said: “We have got a long way to go. We will need to play some great football and win an awful lot of games in the run-in if we going to be in there and around it come the end of the season.”
Asked if he thought his team was capable of doing that, he said: “Yeah - I’ve got nothing to suggest anything else.”
Moyes also said he did not know when injured United striker Robin van Persie, missing for the last four games, would be back in action.
United will definitely be without Wayne Rooney for Saturday's home league clash with Newcastle, with the frontman's booking in the Everton match being his fifth for the Red Devils of the season and earning him a suspension.
