Abdoulaye Doucoure set out Everton’s ambition to continue making ground on the Premier League’s top sides after back-to-back victories over high-quality opposition.

The Blues followed up Saturday’s 1-0 win against Chelsea with a 2-0 success at Leicester City on Wednesday night.

Doucoure delivered a dynamic midfield performance at King Power Stadium and was voted man of the match by Evertonians. 

He made an exceptional 13 ball recoveries against Leicester and won every tackle he made.

Doucoure’s influence is further highlighted by the fact he made more passes (50) than any other member of the Everton team. The 27-year-old was purposeful and precise in possession, too, recording an impressive pass accuracy rate of 88 per cent.

Wednesday’s victory lifted Everton up to fifth in the Premier League table – just one point behind fourth-placed Leicester – and Doucoure says the team are intent on sustaining their positive momentum.

“It was a great result,” he said. “We fought for every ball.

“We know this league is very competitive.

“The teams are very close together in the table.

“We knew before the match we could close the gap on the teams at the top. 

“It was the same [mindset] before the game against Chelsea.

“To win these two games is very good for us and we need to keep going in this way."

Richarlison and Mason Holgate were on target for Everton against the Foxes.

The Brazilian netted for the 34th time in 91 appearances for the Toffees, while Holgate’s strike represented his first in the Premier League.

Ahead of Wednesday’s match, in-form striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin had hit 11 of the Blues’ 21 top-flight goals this season.

Doucoure outlined the importance of Everton offering goalscoring threats from a variety of different sources.

“We are so happy for Mason and Richarlison,” he said. “Mason scored from a set-piece and it is important to be dangerous from them.

“Richarlison also scored, which for his confidence is very good.

“Dominic has been in great form, of course. 

“He didn’t score against Leicester but it is good for the team to have other goalscorers, too.”