Everton manager Roberto Martinez tips Cardiff City to avoid relegation
Last updated on .From the section Football
Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes Cardiff City can secure Premier League survival.
Cardiff were cruelly denied a point on Saturday when Seamus Coleman miss-hit an injury-time winner to give Everton a 2-1 win.
Former Swansea boss Martinez, who knows about relegation fights from his time at Wigan, was impressed by Cardiff.
"Looking at [the] performance I think Cardiff will have enough points to achieve their aim," said Martinez.
Martinez successful steered Wigan Athletic to Premier League safety at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.
The Latics won seven out of their final nine games which included wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Cardiff who are 19th and three points from safety will need to go on a similar run in their remaining eight games to have any chance of staying up.
The Bluebirds went into the game at Goodison Park having won 3-1 against fellow strugglers Fulham.
Goalkeeper David Marshall looked to have earned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side a draw with a string of saves after Juan Cala had equalised Gerard Deulofeu's deflected effort.
But the Scotland international was beaten for a second time in stoppage time by Coleman's miscued shot.
But Martinez saw enough during the game to suggest Cardiff can stay up at the end of the current season.
"It's fair to say that Cardiff were magnificent in what they did," said Martinez.
"I think they were very aggressive in the right manner. There was a real good intensity with what they were doing.
"They were flexible tactically. They started with a back three. They swapped it around and they adapted really well.
"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought a different approach in the way they play.
"I think they've got something really strong going."
