James Tarkowski has called on Everton to take care of their own business and ensure their Premier League survival bid remains in their own hands.
The Blues are one point above 18th-placed Leeds United in the Premier League table and travel to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday before closing out the season at home to Bournemouth.
The defeat at home to champions-elect Manchester City on Sunday afternoon was not unexpected, even after the vital, morale-boosting win against Brighton & Hove Albion six days previously, and has not really changed the equation for Sean Dyche’s side.
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And Tarkowski believes it is important he and his team-mates maintain their recent performance levels against Julen Lopetegui’s side to ensure they remain in control of their Premier League destiny.
He said: "We need more of that (impressive recent displays). We have a good spirit in the group.
"Everyone, playing or not, all noses are pointing in the same direction. We want the best for this team and this club. We have great belief in ourselves.
"After the performance at Brighton and even against Manchester City, I know we lost the game, but there were positives to take. It’s in our own hands, so it’s about going out and performing this week."
Despite the disappointing defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side, Everton’s players were still given a rousing reception as they made their way off the Goodison Park pitch.
"It was a tough day, but there were a lot of positives to take," the defender said. "The fans saw that, which is why they reacted the way they did.
"We’d just been beaten at home; it’s not nice, but there were a lot of people left clapping us off, and we’re going to need them across the final two games.
"They saw the attitude, even in the 95th minute, with Alex Iwobi sprinting across the pitch and pressing. Patto (Nathan Patterson) in the corner winning the tackle.
"We won’t let the City result knock us back. The fans saw the attitude and desire within the players to keep doing their job, no matter the score. We will need that support from the fans for the next two games, too."
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