Roberto Martinez hopes Saturday's last-minute victory over Newcastle United can serve to "kickstart" Everton's season after an inconsistent first half of 2015-16.
The Merseyside club triumphed 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to Tom Cleverley's 93rd-minute header, ending a run of four matches without a win.
"To get it [the win] with the last kick of the game feels, emotionally, a better win," he told the BBC.
"This win is a real kickstart in our season."
As for Cleverley himself, Martinez was effusive in his praise and also directed a pointed barb at the midfielder's former clubs, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
"As a player you always get an incredible feeling when you hit the back of the net, especially so late," Martinez added.
"It was a terrific, terrific performance individually. He deserves to grab that headline for the team.
"He's an outstanding player who I don't think has been given the right approach in the last two or three seasons."
England international Ross Barkley was withdrawn in the 69th minute as a precaution, while the manager also offered a warning ahead of the home game against Mark Hughes' Stoke City on Monday.
"Barkley was brilliant," Martinez said. "I brought him off because he had a slight knock and was on a yellow card.
"It will be very difficult against Stoke. Two games in three days is an incredible ask."
