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James Tarkowski revealed his pride after Saturday’s win over Brentford - a result which secured Everton’s top-flight status for a 71st consecutive season.
The defender captained the Blues during the weekend’s 1-0 victory over the Bees at Goodison Park. The three points - the Toffees' third win inside of a week - moved Everton 11 points clear of the relegation zone, with just three games remaining.
Tarkowski, reacting after the game and quoted by the Liverpool ECHO, recognises the progress made by his team.
“It’s not really ‘job done’ as such because we weren’t really considering that," he said. "We were only down there because of the deductions so we want to carry on and win some more games.
“We can only do what we’ve done on the pitch. Can only control the controllables. The stuff off the pitch has happened and we’ve dealt with it. It’s been a difficult season for many reasons, some of it down to ourselves and some of it not. The way we’ve responded at times, like this week, has been unbelievable.
“I’m proud of everyone at the Football Club because it’s been very hard at times, but you can see a world of difference from last season to this. Progress has been made and that’s what we’re going to take going into next season.
“With a club this big it’s not easy to stay calm, expectations are high. People want to us to win games and that’s what we’ve got to deliver.”
The Brentford game saw 19-year-old striker Youssef Chermiti make his first Premier League start, and Tarkowski thought the young forward was “excellent”, as he explained: “He’s still young, but I see a lot of potential in him. The fans haven’t seen a lot of him but from what you’ve seen today, he’s a very exciting prospect.
“He is physical, strong, runs in behind, holds it up and he’ll score goals. He’s got to be patient, we’ve got to be patient, but he was excellent.”
Elsewhere, manager Sean Dyche was keen to praise experienced Everton duo Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman for their impact on the Toffees’ season.
Blues captain Coleman missed Saturday’s encounter due to injury, while the 38-year-old Young made his 450th Premier League appearance, featuring for the full 90 minutes.
Quoted by the Liverpool World, Dyche said: “You’ve got Seamus [Coleman] who has a heart as big as a bucket for this club and Ashley Young who has been a different class.
“I said to all the young players, ‘Don’t look at anyone else but him’. At his age, the way he trains, hardly ever injured and never needs anything other than getting out and training. Whether you leave him in or out, absolutely solid as a rock [his response is]: ‘No problem, gaffer, I’m ready’.
"All that mix is important how they rub off is invaluable along with the storyline.
“You’ve got to win, that’s my job, and you win enough to change the culture, environment and storyline and we’ve managed to do that this season.”
