Howard: Everton must improve to qualify for Europe

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard says his side need to maintain their early-season form to challenge for European places in the Premier League.

After starting the campaign brightly the Toffees sit fifth in the league but, following a 0-0 draw away to Southampton, manager David Moyes was disappointed that his side did not keep up momentum on their rivals for fourth spot.

And Howard says it is important to keep their performance levels high and keep picking up points wherever they can.

"It is going to be a matter of whether we can put two halves together," Howard told reporters.

"That is what is everyone is wondering and it is our job to keep it up and keep our levels high. When we don't perform well we need to get something out of it and so at the moment that is working.

"It is easy to say 'what if?' but I always think if we can keep picking up points here and there it is better than a loss. I t just depends how you look at it.

"We are right there in the mix and it is going to go week-to-week now.

"We are three points off Spurs, Liverpool are four points behind us and Arsenal are four [points behind] with a game in hand, so if everyone does their job, it is going to be basically who wins the head-to-head battles."