Michael Keane believes Everton’s togetherness and belief have provided a platform for the Blues’ impressive run of form.

Saturday evening’s 2-0 away victory over Burnley extends the Toffees winning streak to four in a row, having previously overcome Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest in consecutive fixtures.

Keane, who, netting against his former club Burnley, scored the Blues’ second goal in the 25^th minute. He had come into the side as part of four changes made to the Everton starting XI, replacing the suspended Jarrad Branthwaite, while Amadou Onana operated in midfield in place of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who was also suspended.

Nathan Patterson and Ben Godfrey were named instead of injured duo Ashley Young and Vitalii Mykolenko, as Sean Dyche tweaked his formation with a three-man defence.

Keane insists victory - especially given the alterations to the line-up - highlights the unity within the whole squad.

“I think something has clicked in the past month or two,” acknowledged the Everton defender. “We’ve always had talent and we’re working so hard for each other. We have so much belief in each other, and the way the manager sets us up is getting us results.

"With that, comes belief, so the Club is going in the right direction.

“It’s a tough place to come to. There were obviously a few changes in our team, but it goes to show the togetherness we have in this squad at the minute; how we work in training every day.

“It means we can put in performances like that, even when we do have to make changes. It’s a credit to the staff, and a credit to the players. I thought we deserved the win.”

Everton’s four consecutive wins have all been combined with clean sheets for Dyche’s side – a record which the Blues have not bettered since a run of five games from December 2008 to January 2009.

While contributing defensively, Keane was delighted to have made his mark at the other end, taking his opportunity when presented through the absence of Branthwaite.

“It’s nice to score. I always fancy myself when I get in those situations. But just to get a game is good. Obviously, Jarrad has been brilliant.

“Unfortunately for him, he got suspended, but you have to take these opportunities when they come. I’ve made sure we kept fit – well, as fit as possible. I was still shattered at the end!”

The triumph at Turf Moor means that only Tottenham Hotspur (18) have won more Premier League points away from home than Everton this season (16), while, the Toffees’ total is already more than they won on the road during the whole of the 2022/23 campaign.

“That’s four in a row now,” added Keane. “It just shows how the whole Club has come together. Everton always does in the past three years – good times, bad times.

“We get behind each other and we make it difficult for whoever we play against. The fans have been outstanding, so to give them a bit back in the last few weeks has been brilliant.”