Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists that Ross Barkley is not a diver, despite recent criticism from former England striker Alan Shearer.
Barkley was awarded a free-kick during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League victory over West Ham, but television replays showed that opposing midfielder Kevin Nolan had not touched him.
Shearer, now a television pundit, later accused the midfielder of diving. But Martinez defended Barkley, saying that the 20-year-old England international had probably "expected contact" because of the "incredible" number of knocks he gets from opposing players.
The Everton boss told the Liverpool Echo: "I was not surprised because Ross Barkley always tries to hold the ball so strong and the amount of knocks that he gets is incredible.
"I could show you his legs after the game and he has so many signs of the amount of kicks that he gets.
"In that action maybe he was expecting a leg to come in and maybe tried to avoid it.
"Ross Barkley's not the type of player that goes down easy or doesn't want contact, but I can understand at times if you get two or three knocks then the fourth one you will try to avoid it.
"I don't think it is something he looks for, it is just a reaction."