My goal against Manchester United unquestionably qualifies as the highlight of my young career, for a variety of reasons.

Above all, it was so important in the context of our season. We were in a very difficult spot after the disappointment at Burnley and there was no escaping the pressure attached to the United game.

There were fewer than 72 hours to flip our mindset and prepare for a fresh challenge – one, in truth, not many people outside Everton gave us much chance of overcoming.

The manager was brilliant in those few days. He remained upbeat and that confidence and positivity was infectious.

His gameplan was spot on, again – and it was satisfying as players to execute what he asked. We’ve not done that enough since Frank and his staff came to the Club, but there are definite signs of progress.

We play Leicester City on Wednesday aiming for a third straight win at Goodison Park, after two home victories without conceding. Our performances at West Ham United and Burnley deserved more, but the fact was we got nothing from those games and had to respond against United.

Scoring the only goal in such a crucial match, against one of the biggest clubs in the world, is the kind of scenario I dreamt about as a very young boy. Actually, full disclosure, it’s the sort of thing I still dream about and aspire to every day.

I am very open about my ambitions. I have used the terms matchwinner and game-changer to describe how I view my role at Everton evolving.

My performances this season have been mostly good, I think, and I’m increasingly influencing games.

But what separates me from the top players, right now, is goal contributions; be that scoring or assisting.

Who better to learn from in that respect than Frank Lampard? His numbers as a midfielder were staggering. He was so driven and retained his hunger throughout a career when he won everything going.

He’s an excellent manager, too, and along with his staff is really on at me to improve my end product. Naturally, as an attacking player, there has always been focus on my final-third contributions – but that has intensified since Frank came.

You won’t be surprised to know, then, that there has been no resting on my laurels since the United game. And the same is absolutely true of the whole group.

Winning one match hasn’t solved our issues. And nor are we content to have a good day here and there.

We all crave consistency and are feeling good about ourselves after a positive result.

I’ve alluded to the Burnley game, when we did pretty well in patches. Certainly, there was a long period when we were in control, but mistakes cost us our grip on the match.

We were more solid and defensively together all over the pitch against United. That allowed us to manage the tense closing stages and coming through those situations does a dressing room the world of good.

On a similar theme, we understand our reality in this moment. We are in a fight to stay in the Premier League.

I am convinced we will be fine and have never deviated from that belief. We’re a top team with top individual players, but it’s on us to support that statement on the pitch. 

Clearly, you never want to find yourself scrapping at the bottom, but a lot of people have told me I will take an enormous amount from this period.

If you emerge unscathed from something like this – there is enormous expectation every time you represent Everton, rightly so, but this situation heightens every emotion – it is a positive learning experience.

A lot of people noticed Seamus and I hugging at the end of the Manchester United game.

We have been through a lot together on that right side this season and I am so fortunate to not only have Seamus as a teammate, but to spend large parts of games in the same area of the field as him.

He is a great guy and incredible leader, someone you always want by your side. Even more so when you’re in a battle.

We can take another step towards safety against Leicester; an excellent side, with some seriously talented footballers.

It probably says a lot for their ability that the general perception is Leicester are having a sticky Premier League season, then you check the table and see them in the top half.

But the main focus is on ourselves and how we can cause problems for Leicester, while countering their strengths.

If we replicate the energy and concentration and belief from the Manchester United match, we will give ourselves a very good chance of achieving another positive outcome.