Keane demands Toffees

Michael Keane wants Everton to make the most out of the hectic festive schedule, starting this afternoon at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

The Toffees have been galvanised under interim boss Duncan Ferguson, who stepped in following the departure of Marco Silva.

The former Everton forward guided the team to a 3-1 home win over Chelsea last weekend and will be in the dugout again today.

With a League Cup quarter-final with Leicester ahead, before home matches against Arsenal and then Burnley on Boxing Day, the outlook could be much changed heading into 2020.

England defender Keane feels a strong showing in a run of four league fixtures in just 11 days would create a different perspective.

“The table is really tight this season, more so than normal, and a few wins in a row can catapult you right up that league,” Keane said.

“We are still thinking we can get into the top half – and the top six isn’t out of the picture at the minute.

“It is really tight and anything can happen, but all we can do is focus on one game at a time and they obviously come thick and fast over Christmas – but the sooner we start winning consistently, the better.

“Big Dunc came in and sort of galvanised us. He got us up for the game against Chelsea, and we knew the fans would get right behind us, especially with Dunc being in charge.

“We were after a reaction and that’s what we got. What a day it was for him and all the fans – it was deserved.”