Marco Silva has set out Everton’s ambition to make Goodison Park “a fortress” ahead of the Blues' opening home Premier League match of the season against Watford on Saturday (3pm).

The manager is eager for his side to build on the momentum created at the Grand Old Lady in the final months of the 2018/19 campaign.

Everton took maximum points from their last four home matches of the season, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Burnley decisively dispatched as Silva’s side consistently mixed attacking flair and purpose with defensive solidity.

Silva says his players are relishing the chance to play at Goodison again, emphasising how the rousing atmosphere at the stadium helped inspire those impressive performances.

“There are no doubts how important it us for us to play at Goodison,” said Silva. “It is really important for us to make Goodison a fortress.

“We finished really strong last season at home, playing well, with a fantastic connection with our fans.

“The team and the fans were together and what we want is to start in the same way – and we are really confident in that. Our fans were fantastic.

“Our players have worked very hard during the week, with that enthusiasm to play a match at Goodison with our fans and to get the three points.”

Silva revealed Fabian Delph will miss the Watford game as he continues his recovery from a thigh problem while fellow midfielder Andre Gomes’ fitness will be assessed after being forced off with an ankle injury in last weekend’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

Everton were the more progressive team for large spells of that match, creating numerous chances and dominating possession at Selhurst Park.

While the Blues had to settle for a point in south London, the result meant Silva's team have now kept nine clean sheets in their past 12 Premier League matches.

Asked what was behind Everton’s excellent defensive form, Silva’s response was emphatic.

“Work and work and work – you cannot achieve anything if you do not do that,” he said.

“We have to put quality in our work, too. The players have to understand the idea and philosophy, and we have to make them believe this is the way we can be stronger as a team.

“To have nine clean sheets in 12 games is fantastic in a tough competition like the Premier League.

“Even in that period, with some changes in our backline, we did really well. The numbers are really, really good. Not just at Goodison, but away, too.

“That means we as a team – not just the backline and the goalkeeper – are working really well and hard.

“We improve clearly in this situation. Last season, we had the fifth best defensive record in the Premier League.

"If you keep a clean sheet then you are closer to winning matches. Now, we have to do be more clinical in the other box, to convert the chances we keep creating.

“But I like that the team is solid like we are – we are not a defensive team at all. We play using a full pitch, and we like to press high.

“I am really happy with the clean sheet numbers, and now in the opposite box we want to convert the chances we keep creating.”