Carlo Ancelotti has urged his Everton players to maintain their focus to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.
The Blues claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at Watford yesterday to move them up into ninth place and just three points off fifth spot.Ancelotti believes Everton, who have picked up 19 points since December 7 have given themselves the "possibility" to fight for a place in Europe next term.
"Realistic...nobody knows," Ancelotti said.
"But we have to try to compete for the top to reach the Europa League for next season will be really important.
"I don't know if we are able but if we are able to keep this period, and this concentration, then we can reach the Europa League.
"We have to fight, of course, and we have the possibility to fight."
Sheffield United are currently fifth with 36 points and behind them are Manchester United and Wolves (35), Spurs (34) and then Everton.
Meanwhile, Watford manager Nigel Pearson bemoaned the way his side finished both halves.
When asked how he judged the afternoon, he said: "Exceptionally disappointing.
"To come in at (half-time) two apiece is very frustrating - We lost it at the death, we had an opportunity to manage the ball better, the game a little better and we didn't - we paid the price for that.
"We have to recover from this, it is never an easy journey when you are in a relegation battle and we have worked exceptionally hard to get back in contact.
"They will deal with it, get on with it and they will have me nudging them and encouraging them in the same way as when we win, they will have the same support now.
"The Villa game was an unlucky late goal and today we have contributed more substantially to our own downfall."
