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Roberto Martinez says the performances of teenage defender John Stones have been “phenomenal” this season.

And the Everton boss has told the Goodison Park faithful: “We have a special player on our hands.”

Stones produced another solid display in the weekend’s 3-2 win over Swansea City and Martinez has been mighty impressed by the 19-year-old’s development since he made his first-team breakthrough last summer.

The £3m signing from Barnsley has made 18 appearances for the Blues this season and started the last five matches in place of the injured Phil Jagielka.

Everton’s captain has recovered from his hamstring complaint and is in contention for tonight’s trip to Newcastle United but Martinez will have no problem asking his young understudy Stones to fill in once again.

Newcastle United owner and Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley can expect a windfall of free advertising this week as Magpies manager Alan Pardew will face an FA firing squad for his touchline tête-à-tête.

Television cameras caught the technical area action from multiple angles but the bad tempered manager still had to formally accept his charge of improper conduct.

Pardew has requested a personal hearing, not surprising bearing in mind his long list of previous misdemeanours, and will be represented by a top barrister.

The manager’s attempt to throw money at a QC barrister in a bid to avoid a heavier sentence doesn’t exactly reinforce the remorseful figure seen apologising for the loss of control in the wake of the Hull game.

Whatever happens it will have been an expensive fortnight for the forthright Magpies manager following his £100,000 fine from the club hours after the full time whistle.

It is claimed the club will stand by Pardew regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s trial but it will be interesting to see, firstly, what punishment the FA deem appropriate and what impact that will have on Newcastle United.

Pardew’s unprecedented behaviour is likely to see him hit an equally exceptional sentence and the case is already being treated as ‘non standard’.

A touchline ban doesn’t really seem appropriate as Pardew will still be able to prepare the team for any upcoming fixtures and no doubt communicate with his assistant from the stands. It certainly won’t hit the Toon as hard as losing a key player for any period of time would.

Newcastle United owner and Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley can expect a windfall of free advertising this week as Magpies manager Alan Pardew will face an FA firing squad for his touchline tête-à-tête.

Television cameras caught the technical area action from multiple angles but the bad tempered manager still had to formally accept his charge of improper conduct.

Pardew has requested a personal hearing, not surprising bearing in mind his long list of previous misdemeanours, and will be represented by a top barrister.

The manager’s attempt to throw money at a QC barrister in a bid to avoid a heavier sentence doesn’t exactly reinforce the remorseful figure seen apologising for the loss of control in the wake of the Hull game.

Whatever happens it will have been an expensive fortnight for the forthright Magpies manager following his £100,000 fine from the club hours after the full time whistle.

It is claimed the club will stand by Pardew regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s trial but it will be interesting to see, firstly, what punishment the FA deem appropriate and what impact that will have on Newcastle United.

Pardew’s unprecedented behaviour is likely to see him hit an equally exceptional sentence and the case is already being treated as ‘non standard’.

A touchline ban doesn’t really seem appropriate as Pardew will still be able to prepare the team for any upcoming fixtures and no doubt communicate with his assistant from the stands. It certainly won’t hit the Toon as hard as losing a key player for any period of time would.

Can Sunderland upset the odds in the Capital One Cup final, or will Manchester City prove why they're the favourites? Opta are on hand with all the Wembely statistics.

This is Manchester City's first final appearance since 1976, where they beat Newcastle United at Wembley 2-1. City are 1.33 to win within 90 minutes.

Sunderland's only previous League Cup final appearance came in the 1984/85 season, where they lost 1-0 to Norwich City. Manchester City are 1.19 to lift the trophy.

In City's three league cup finals (1970, 1974 and 1976) each game has ended 2-1, with The Citizens winning twice. Another 2.1 win is priced at 10.0.

Sunderland have only lost one of their last five games against Manchester City, winning three and drawing once. They are 10.0 to win within 90 minutes.

Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko are the joint-top scorers in the competition, with six goals apiece. Negredo is likely to be priced at around 1.9 to score, with Dzeko at 2.2.

On their way to the final, Man City kept four clean sheets while Sunderland managed just one (v Peterborough). City are 2.0 to not concede.

Manchester City have scored 19 goals in the Capital One Cup this season, conceding just once. City are 2.44 to win both halves.

Should City win the final without conceding, they would be the first team to lift the trophy by only conceding once. They are likely to be available at around 2.2 to win to nil.

Four of the five teams that have conceded just once or fewer in the run-up to the League Cup final have lost the showpiece. Sunderland are 6.6 to win the cup.

The last team to score more goals than Manchester City have in the League Cup this season before the final (19) were Spurs in 2001/02 (20). Over 2.5 goals is 1.57.

EAdam Armstrong struck the only goal of the game as Newcastle United secured a narrow victory over Derby County in The FA Youth Cup on Sunday.

The England U17 striker’s fifth goal of this season's competition was enough to seal a quarter-final tie at home to either Cardiff City or Chelsea.

A first half of few chances was marred by a clash of heads between Mason Bennett and Olivier Kemen, which resulted in the former being stretchered off.

“Buzzing to beat Derby 1-0 and glad to grab the goal! Away fans were quality too!! Can’t wait for the next round now.”

@AdamArma9 Newcastle United striker

United had to wait until the hour mark before they found a breakthrough, as goalkeeper Freddie Woodman’s long kick fell to Armstrong, who proceeded to dummie past a defender before finishing superbly as he continued his record of scoring in every match of his club’s Youth Cup run.

Following the victory, Dave Watson insisted that Adam Armstrong's moment of magic to win the tie was "world class."

Armstrong – who has caught the eye of Alan Pardew with his exploits this season and been named on the bench for three of the first-team’s matches – told of his delight at the result on Twitter.

He tweeted: “Buzzing to beat derby 1-0 and glad to grab the goal! Away fans were quality to!! Can’t wait for the next round now.” (sic)

Their opponents will be decided on Tuesday, when Cardiff face Chelsea, kick-off 7.05pm.

Newcastle United could make a summer move for Montpellier ace Remy Cabella, [football] direct news understands.

Reports of a deal between Newcastle and French club Montpellier were found to be unfounded during the January transfer window when the Premier League side denied any agreement.

However, Montpellier chairman Laurent Nicollin is still certain a deal will go ahead later this summer with Cabella touted to be the perfect replacement for Yoann Cabaye who joined Paris Saint Germain in January.

The 23-year-old is currently valued at £15m but that is thought not to dishearten Alan Pardew who is keen to add some extra firepower to his attack.

Cabella has made 17 appearances for the French U21 side and has been knocking on the door for a senior call up.