Rafa Benitez is plotting for the long-term at Everton and committed to the challenge of establishing the Club inside the “positive circle” at the business end of the Premier League.

Everton are fifth and separated from leaders Chelsea by only two points in advance of a Goodison Park meeting with West Ham United on Sunday.

Spaniard Benitez, appointed on the eve of pre-season, has won all three of his home matches in charge.

To extend that successful run against a side generally perceived as a direct competitor, he insists, would qualify as an early-season boon.

But the overall objective is to continue acclimatising to the thinner air towards the top the table, with a view to permanent residence down the line.

“I am the Everton manager and focused on that,” said Benitez.

“I [want to] keep my word and continue working here and am really happy.

“It [objective] is to try to improve everything I can here and focus.

“I am not thinking about just an average season, where you say, we did well and not so well [at different stages], and that’s it.

“I want to compete for something.

“That was my idea when I came here.

“The owners and fans have ambition and we have a new stadium coming.

“I don’t want us to be comfortable in the middle of the table. We have to make sure we fight to be as high as possible.

“If we can play in Europe, or even go higher than just the Europa League, for example, it will be better.

“It is not that I have a target – it is just to be sure we can compete and stay really high.”

Everton have a four-place and three-point advantage over West Ham, with the two teams both fancied to make a run for European football.

The Hammers gave Everton the slip at the back end of last season to claim Europa League qualification and Benitez is intent on avoiding a repeat scenario this term.

This weekend’s encounter, insists Benitez, will have minimal bearing on the end-of-season shake-up.

But Everton are long on incentives. There is the potential for getting one over a very strong team and, consequently, remaining neck-and-neck with the sides tipped to contest the big prizes come the final reckoning.

“So many times we said the league is a marathon and you have to keep running until the end,” said Benitez.

“But there are some moments when you play teams around your position and those are important for the confidence.

“West Ham are a good team and doing well and they did well last year, they have a manager who knows us really well.

“It will be tough but it is an important game and if we get three points it will be really good for the confidence here.

“It [existing outside top-six positions] is sometimes complicated, these teams at the top continue at the top, so they have more money coming from Europe and commercially and it is an advantage for them.

“That is why it is important to be in this group and continue in this group.

“You can guarantee more money, then sign better players and improve your facilities. Everything.

"It is a positive circle if you are in there, but not too positive if you are not.

“That is why it is important for us to be as close as possible, to have this experience of being close, and that is when you can go through.”

Of the three home victories to date, two have been secured from losing positions. Everton claimed a point at Manchester United a fortnight ago after falling behind, too.

And while Benitez – who remains without the forward duo of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for West Ham’s visit – is determined to usher out the habit of conceding first, he admits his side’s fortitude bodes well for the future.

"I am disappointed to have conceded first but, of course, the reaction of the team has been quite good," added Benitez.

"That shows the mentality and character are there.

"It is positive for the rest of the season when you are in difficult situations and you can remember the times when the team reacted."