Saturday 29 August 2015 20:44, UK
Goalkeeper Tim Howard praised the "chemistry" among Everton's back five after securing a "hard-fought" point at Tottenham on Saturday.
Howard produced a number of good saves to keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane, and the American was awarded the Barclays Man of the Match award.
And he told Sky Sports: "It was a hard-fought 90 minutes, which is what we expected.
"We can go into the international break feeling good but the performance was really good.
"I'm full of confidence with those guys at the back. Our chemistry and the way we gel is fine and my job is to keep the ball out of the net, which I need to do that more often.
"I don't read the papers or focus on any criticism we've had. This week I'm man of the match and last week I was the goat after we lost against Manchester City. It happens."
The sky is the limit for him (Stones). I think he's got the full package.
Toffees boss Roberto Martinez stuck with John Stones at the back, despite another tumultuous week of reports that he would like to move to Chelsea.
But Howard insists his team-mate has been fine and focused and he believes Stones has a big future ahead of him, wherever he ends up.
Howard said: "The sky is the limit for him. I think he's got the full package.
"We've got to wait and see, he probably needs another 50 games under his belt, but he's got strength, is good on the ball, and he's a good kid. We love him in the dressing room.
"We haven't had to work particularly hard to keep him happy this week. We're around him and we support him. He's got a good group of guys within the team that keep him grounded and he's been smiling all week."
