Carlo Ancelotti says Everton’s third successive Premier League victory is a cue to “step up and sacrifice” in the fight for European qualification.

Richarlison headed the only goal of the game at West Bromwich Albion on Thursday to lift Everton into fourth position at full-time.

Ancelotti’s side withstood West Brom pressure either side of Richarlison’s fourth strike in as many league matches and have recorded clean sheets in their past three matches.

Gylfi Sigurdsson supplied the assist, 43 seconds after replacing Abdoualye Doucoure – after Ancelotti previously demonstrated his intent by introducing Allan for Alex Iwobi and changing to a midfield diamond.

Everton have 12 games remaining, beginning with a trip to Chelsea on Monday.

“We are there fighting for the European positions, we wanted to be there and worked really hard to be there, now we have to do a little bit more,” said Ancelotti.

“This is our step and our target.

“We have to step up a bit more and sacrifice, the position now is good but unfortunately it is not the end of the season.

“I feel really good, if I look at the table, I am really happy.

“There are two problems, I don’t know how long we will be fourth [because Chelsea go to Liverpool for a later kick-off] and, second, the season doesn’t finish today.

“We have to be pleased to be there but continue to fight.

“I think, at the start of the season no one would have said after 26 games Everton would be in the top four or five.

“This is deserved for my team because they are working really well.”

Everton’s victory was their ninth from 13 away matches this season and they have claimed 29 points from a possible 39 on the road.

Ancelotti’s side are undefeated in nine league matches on their travels, equalling a sequence last managed by Everton in the 1984/85 championship-winning season.

Richarlison was the matchwinner for the second time in four days, following his decisive goal against Southampton on Monday with a crucial 65^th-minute header at The Hawthorns.

The South American has six goals from as many games in all competitions and reached 12 for the season when he converted the delivery from Sigurdsson, who celebrated his ninth assist this term.

At the other end, Jordan Pickford produced a fabulous leaping stop inside two minutes from Mbaye Diagne and the goalkeeper has three shutouts from four games following a brief spell sidelined with injury.

“It is really important to have Richarlison back [in top form] after the first part of the season when he was not like he is now,” said Ancelotti.

“He is a top striker and we have a couple in front who are really dangerous and effective.

“I think it was important for Gylfi to take the corner [straight after coming on].

“Lucas [Digne] was taking the corner and I said it was better to have Gylfi because, with his swinging delivery, we are more dangerous.

“In goal, Jordan is doing well, because I take him out [rotates goalkeepers] it removes a little bit of pressure.

“Robin Olsen is injured, when he is back, he can play some games to keep Jordan fresh and good like he is in this moment.”

Ancelotti, whose team also host Burnley before the March international break, added: “I don’t know if they [other teams competing for top-four positions] underestimate us, we have to be focused and I talked to the players about this.

“Playing in the Champions League would be fantastic… it is a step in the career of everyone.

“Most of these players didn’t play one game in the Champions League.

“We are there in the fight but for the fight you need to sacrifice.”