Martial came off the bench to fire Manchester United past Tottenham.
The France international coolly slotted past Hugo Lloris after Romelu Lukaku’s pinpoint header had set him free.
And, speaking after the game, Jose Mourinho praised the striker and Lukaku but said Martial’s goal was with ‘a bad shot.’
“Sometimes he starts the match and his contribution is good but he doesn’t score,” the 54-year-old said.
“I don’t understand some reactions when people question ‘are they Red Devils’? The two strikers were up against amazing central defenders. Some of the best in Europe.
“Martial scores with a bad shot, but the bad shots can be the most beautiful.
“To play well against a very, very good team feels even better.”
Mourinho also labelled the game as ‘difficult.’
“That was difficult, it could have been a draw. Both teams were trying to win but both knew the opponent was strong,” he added.
“Apart from Dele Alli’s chance, we controlled them well. It was tactically difficult for both and it was well refereed. It was strong, aggressive.
“We knew if we had one defensive mistake we could lose and that’s what happened to them.
“We tried and we deserved the victory.”
United are next in action against Chelsea next Sunday.