Conor Coady says there is a burning determination within the Everton camp to ensure the Blues' impressive recent form is just the start of a successful new dawn.

Coady, who signed on a season-long loan from Wolves this summer, opened his account for the Club against Southampton, as the Blues struck twice in the space of 144 seconds to secure a 2-1 comeback win at St Mary's.

The result stretches Frank Lampard's side's unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions - and the England defender believes it was no less than the Toffees deserved.

"Comeback wins always feel special but I feel like we deserved it," he told evertontv. "I felt that for the majority of the game we were in control, we knew what we were doing, we had possession of the ball and emphasising our way of playing. 

"In the first half I actually feel like we could have gone up another level and been a little but more ruthless and relentless with it. 

"But you have to dig in at times - you come to tough places and every game in the Premier League is a tough game, no matter who you come up against - especially away from home. 

"To come back like we did is really pleasing but you can see the togetherness of the boys, the supporters and the feeling around the place. 

"We're trying to have possession more, we're trying to keep hold of the ball a little bit more and I think you saw that at times. 

"We want to go again - we want to get better. 

"The gaffer has spoken about this being the start not the end of where we want to get to and I think that's the best way to look at it. 

"We're trying to get better and the manager is improving us. We need to keep listening to him every day because he's a brilliant manager. 

"We'll enjoy today, we'll recover and then we'll go again for what is a big game next week."

Coady's first goal in royal blue came exactly four weeks after being denied a maiden strike following a VAR review in the 241st Merseyside derby.

"My eyes lit up, I'll be honest, when big Ama headed it down for me!" he reflected on his leveller against the Saints. "I knew I was behind him, so I knew this one was definitely onside. 

"It's the greatest feeling ever... I want to do anything to help the team, whether it's a block on the line, a tackle, a goal at the other end... It's a real special feeling."

Everton now have the second best defensive record in the league having conceded just seven goals in their opening eight matches, with only Manchester City - who the Blues have played one game more than - conceding fewer (six)

"It's huge - and it's not just... I think people look at the back four and Picks in goal but it's not, it's how compact we are as a team from the back four to the strikers. 

"We're hard to break down and play through the middle of - we're doing that really well at the minute. 

"The way we're doing it as a team is really pleasing but we need to keep it going. 

"We've got some fantastic games coming up, exciting games and at the minutes we're in a place where we want them to go and play them as soon as possible."

While quick to deflect the praise to his teammates, Coady – who captained Everton in the absence of Jordan Pickford in the 1-0 win over West Ham United a fortnight ago – has played an integral role alongside fellow centre-back James Tarkowski in that defensive success.

The duo have started as a defensive pair in each of the past four Premier League games - and Coady is relishing their budding relationship.

"He's an incredible person," Coady said, when asked about Tarkowski. "More than being a fantastic football player, he's a fantastic person. 

"You can see what he does when he plays, see the type of character he is. He's exactly the same off the pitch as well. 

"I think he's a fantastic footballer and he's a real, real good friend of mine. I'm loving playing with him."