Rafa Benitez wants an Everton side with character and resolve at the core of its identity – and insists those attributes can go a long way towards gaining a transformational result at Manchester City on Sunday.

Manager Benitez gained an insight into his players’ resilience when they overturned deficits in home matches against Southampton and Burnley soon after the Spaniard’s summer appointment.

The games Everton have lost, Benitez pointed out, have largely got away from them in short bursts. Which was why he was pleased with a compact and controlled performance from start to finish in the draw with Tottenham Hotspur a fortnight ago.

Benitez hopes that renewed solidity, coupled with the speed and purpose employed against Spurs, transfers into this weekend’s encounter with the Premier League champions.

 “We know we will be playing against a good team but are confident we can do well,” began Benitez.

 “Our last game against Tottenham, the team showed character with the right mentality and that’s what we have to do in every match.

 “All the teams in the world need positive results for confidence.

 “The fact we did well [in Spurs game] in terms of the intensity and commitment of the players until the last minute was quite positive.

“We did that in a lot of games, especially at Goodison Park.

“I expect the team can get a result [against City] and then if this is the first one [victory since beating Norwich City on 25 September], it would be easy for me to motivate the players for the next games.”

Benitez’s Everton reign is only 11 Premier League matches old but already he has surfed the full wave of emotions.

The former Valencia and Napoli boss is adamant his team will eradicate the kind of lapses that led to low points against Aston Villa and Watford.

He reiterated caution over the timescale for Everton consistently competing right at the top of the division – but draws confidence for the short-to-medium term from those early-season efforts when Benitez had a full squad at his disposal.

“Today I was talking with the players about the first game against Southampton, the reaction of the team was really good,” said Benitez, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“And against Burnley, the reaction was fantastic. I think the fans are clever and appreciate that.

“They can see this team working hard and the commitment of the players.

“Still, we have some issues we couldn’t manage – against Aston Villa for nine minutes, Watford for 13 minutes, we made mistakes and conceded goals and didn’t react.

“It is something we have to improve

“But Rome wasn’t built in one day.

“We have to go step by step. Hopefully, we can be a bit stronger mentally and the best way to do that is competing and winning games.”

Fabian Delph, meanwhile, part of two City title-winning squads, could make a second successive Everton start back on his old stomping ground.

“What I saw from him at the beginning, everybody knows and he knows, we were thinking about replacing him," added Benitez.

“But he was training really well. I was really pleased with the way he was in every training session.

“I think he has the right mentality and the right attitude.

“He wants to play every game.

“I have to stop him in the training sessions because he's pushing very hard... that is the right attitude you are expecting from any player.

 “He can give us something with his experience and quality and with his desire to play he can be an example for everyone.”