Michael Keane says manager Carlo Ancelotti is steadily changing the mentality in Everton’s squad – and “we go into every game believing we are going to win”.

Everton have started this season with six successive victories, repeating a feat achieved only twice previously in the Club’s 142-year history.

Defender Keane is the only player to feature in every match and insists Everton can achieve “something special” in former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti's first full campaign in charge.

The 27-year-old was keen to sound a note of caution, however, with the Premier League season only three matches old and an upbeat Brighton & Hove Albion due at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Keane, who joined from Burnley in 2017, signed new five-year terms prior to this season.

Factor in the birth of his first child in June and a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad last month and the centre-back’s fortunes are mirroring those of his club.

“To sign a new deal was brilliant and to be playing well week in, week out, this is a great time for me,” said Keane.

“The birth of my daughter was really special and I am loving being a dad.

“I am really enjoying myself on and off the pitch.

“The Club has shown the direction it wants to head in the past three or four years.

“It made a huge statement appointing Carlo as manager – and the players he’s brought in has solidified where we want to be as a club.

“You can talk to Carlo about anything.

“He is really warm towards everybody and it is a pleasure to work for him.

“You learn from him every day.

“Everyone is loving him being here.

“He is changing the mentality in the squad and I think we will keep improving.

“We go into every game believing we are going to win – and long may it continue.

“We couldn’t be doing any more in terms of results.

“But we are conscious it is only a start.

“It has given us good momentum and confidence but we need to keep it going.”

Keane is three games short of 100 Premier League appearances for Everton and on course to reach that landmark when Ancelotti’s side travel to Southampton later this month.

Meantime, Everton play twice at Goodison.

The season’s first Merseyside derby directly follows the impending international break.

This weekend’s visitors are Brighton, who won their previous away game 3-0 at Newcastle United and fairly felt very hard done by to lose 3-2 to Manchester United last week after striking the woodwork five times and going down to a penalty in the 10th minute of time added on.

Keane will report for England duty after Saturday’s match and be joined in the squad for games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark by clubmates Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, celebrating his first senior summons following eight goals in five starts this term.

“Dom is a bit of a nightmare to play against in training,” said Keane, who has netted twice himself this season.

“I am happy he is on our side.

“He has everything.

“He is such a good athlete, he is fast and strong and can head the ball.

“And now he is showing he can finish as well.

“He is getting better and better, getting in the right positions, which is testament to the work he is doing.

“He works hard on his finishing and on getting in positions to score tap- ins, as well as eye-catching goals.

“That is important as a striker. If you want to score 25 goals in a season you need to do that.

“Brighton played well against Manchester United and will be really up for it this weekend.

“Performance-wise they have started well and it will be a tough game.

“We are heading in the right direction and are full of confidence and if we put in a good performance we will back ourselves to win but it will not be easy by any means.”

The summer additions of Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez have enabled Ancelotti to finesse his tactics.

Everton have operated in a 4-3-3 shape for every game this term, most recently when defeating West Ham United 4-1 on Wednesday to book a Carabao Cup quarter-final meeting with Manchester United.

Ancelotti’s side has scored 20 goals this season – 12 at home and eight away – and in common with his teammates, Keane is hankering for the day when supporters can return to watch this intrepid Everton team.

“There is a feeling we can achieve something special this year and, hopefully, we can do that and make the fans proud,” continued Keane.

“It would have been unreal to have them in the stadium for the games this season.

“The atmosphere would have been incredible.

“It is a real shame they can’t be there but, hopefully, it is only a matter of time.

“Our formation allows us to get more players up the pitch and it is working.

“The three new players have been brilliant and settled in straight away.

“Allan and Doucs [Doucoure] have the legs in midfield, James has that bit of magic, so they have brought a lot of different qualities.

“When you add new players, it gives everybody a lift and brings extra competition.

“Players know when they get a chance they have to perform at their best or they will be out the team.

“That is the way it should be – it is the way to get the best from players and that has shown with our results and performances.”

Keane added: “The spirit in the team has been really good since I joined and it is getting better.

“We are a close-knit bunch and look out for each other – and look after each other on the pitch, which is the main thing.

“Everton is a real family club and you have a good connection with the fans.

“I get on well with all the staff and players.

“A lot of my best mates are here.

“I feel really at home and can definitely see myself being here a long time – hopefully longer than I’ve already signed.”