Ronald Koeman believes ‘everything is possible’ for Everton this season but remains cautious about talk of Champions League qualification.
The Blues travel to Middlesbrough this weekend looking to close the gap on sixth-placed Manchester United, who occupy a Europa League spot by just three points..
Six points also separate Koeman’s side from fifth, currently held by Liverpool, while Arsenal are only a point ahead in the final Champions League place.
But while the Everton manager remains confident in his squad’s abilities, he is also exercising caution in the club’s bid to secure a finish in the continental spots.
He said: “Everything is possible because everybody knows the Premier League is so tough, and it’s not about the opponent you play.
“Look at Hull, they played Manchester United away, Liverpool at home, and won four points out of that.
“I did not change my mind. It’s step by step. We don’t make the mistake in one week. If we don’t win this Saturday, we’ll talk about maybe the first eight.
“We need to be realistic. The next target now is the team above us which we need to catch.
“It starts with yourself to win the game and we will see what happens.”
Koeman is no stranger to being an outsider in the hunt for European football, having successfully guided Southampton to a sixth-place finish last season.
“You can’t compare Everton with Southampton,” he insisted.
“Yes, normally, my teams are always in a good state until the end of the season.
“That’s what we try to plan, that’s important, you have more possibilities to win the game if the team is really fit. With Southampton, we won seven of the last eight.
“If we keep that at Everton then, yes, maybe something special will be possible this season.”