LEIGHTON BAINES has paid tribute to Jan Mucha after the Everton stand-in goalkeeper produced his best display for the club in the win over Manchester City.

Mucha, deputising for the injured Tim Howard, was in fine form to repel the Premier League champions on Saturday, making two critical saves in the Blues’ 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Despite being at the club for three seasons, the Slovakian was making just his second league start. Baines believes the 30-year-old deserves credit for his performance.

“It’s never easy coming in when you have been out for such a long time,” he said. “I’m sure it has been difficult for Jan, but he hasn’t shown that.

“He’s done really well for us and he kept us in the game. At 1-0 he made some great saves and on another day they could have equalised.

“He did well coming out, punching balls clear and taking a bit of the pressure off us.

“It was great to get the clean sheet as well. We haven’t had as many as we would have liked, so I’m sure Jan will be delighted.”

Baines is currently away with Roy Hodgson’s England squad, ahead of the World Cup qualifying double-header with San Marino and Montenegro. He has been joined by Goodison team-mate Leon Osman, whose stunning 25-yard strike set up the Blues’ victory over Manchester City.

“It was a mis-hit!” said Baines.“No, it was brilliant.

“For all our pressure we needed a goal. If it hadn’t come then they would have started to creep back into the game, but we dominated the first 45 minutes.

“The goal was much needed and it was a great strike by Ossie.”

On a personal level, Baines hopes his Everton form will give Hodgson a selection headache.

Since last summer’s European Championships, Baines has featured in all but one of England’s seven internationals. With Ashley Cole troubled by an ankle injury, he has started three of the four World Cup qualifiers played so far, scoring his first goal for his country in the win over Moldova last September.

“Hopefully it’s a headache for the manager,” added Baines. “It’s good to have healthy competition for any place.

“I want to make it tough for him, but really whatever is best for the squad and for the team is all that matters.”