Roberto Martinez has told his Everton side that Champions League qualification is a viable goal.
The Toffees sit sixth in the Premier League table and three points off the top four after winning nine points from a possible 18, losing just one of their six outings so far - a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Martinez has masterminded a 3-0 win at Southampton, along with a 3-1 victory over champions Chelsea, and the Spaniard believes that those performances proved that a top-four finish is not a pipe dream.
"We don't need to rely on other teams," Martinez, whose side finished 11th last term, is quoted as saying by The Guardian. "We rely on how good we can be and how quickly we can get to that level. The Southampton performance and the Chelsea performance – that's the level that is needed to get into the Champions League. If you can do that every week you're going to have a great chance to get over 70 points.
"How many points are going to be needed this season? It's hard to tell but I think it'll be such a close season. You look at the points West Ham have got away from home and Crystal Palace's form. There are many teams who are going to take a lot of points from the so-called top four. That makes me think 70 points will get you into the top positions.
"It is about consistency. It is down to us being as consistent as we can be in every game. It is not about looking elsewhere or what is happening with the investment in other teams. I'm excited. I'm starting to see signs of a very competitive squad and hopefully we can develop that for the next eight months."
The Merseysiders finished fifth under Martinez in the 2013-14 season, seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Shane Callaghan
