Michael Keane challenged Everton to maintain their Champions League bid after they stormed into the top four.
Keane headed a late winner at Wolves after Alex Iwobi's early right-foot finish was cancelled out by Ruben Neves.
Victory lifts Carlo Ancelotti's Everton from seventh to fourth - level on points with third-placed Leicester.
When asked if Everton should aim for a top three finish, defender Keane,28, replied: “Yeah definitely.
“It is nearly halfway through the season and we have showed we are capable of being up there.
“We have the ambition and the mentality.
“It is about consistency and bouncing back when you do have a bad result.
“We lost against West Ham previously but unbelievable result tonight.”
Everton's victory was their sixth away from home this season in the top-flight.
Keane explained: “It is mentality. Staying solid and not conceding many goals , fighting together and waiting for an opportunity.
“We are a good enough team that opportunities will come our way and when they do we have to take them.
“I thought we showed brilliant character and we showed the strength of the squad.
“We hung in there and thankfully got the chance.”
Everton were without injured 16-goal top scorer Dominic Calvert Lewin and didn't start a recognised striker.
Keane admitted: “We didn't work on it and only found out a few hours before kick off.
“I thought the lads did well, everyone worked their socks off.”
Boss Ancelotti said: “We played the game we had planned.
“I think we adapted really well.”
Abdoulaye Doucoure picked up a fifth booking for the visitors and is now suspended.
But Ancelotti added: “He deserves a rest.”
Wolves are searching for their first Premier League three points of 2021 after five matches without a win in the top-flight.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We have to be aware of the situation that we are in.
“Hopefully soon we will be better and improve.”
