Tuesday 3 January 2017 13:00, UK
Leighton Baines says Everton's impressive festive form has given them a platform to build on for the second half of the season.
A 3-0 win over Southampton made it seven points from a possible nine over Christmas and New Year, with Ronald Koeman's side also taking a point from Hull and beating Premier League champions Leicester 2-0 at the King Power stadium.
Everton will meet the Foxes again in the FA Cup on January 7 but, with only one top-six team in Manchester City to face between now and March, Baines is keen to gather momentum.
"It is tough going for everyone over this period but to come away with a 3-0 victory is good for us," he said. "It gives us confidence, that comes with winning games. The important thing is now to go and build on it.
"We have an important game in the FA Cup [at home to Leicester] and if we can get a win in that the place will be lifted.
"We had good cup runs last year [getting to the semi-finals of both the FA and League Cups] so we'll look to do that little bit better this year."
Against Southampton, Everton were the first Premier League team this season to start with two teenagers and although Dominic Calvert-Lewin was forced off early on with an ankle injury, 18-year-old Tom Davies impressed in midfield.
Koeman is looking to strengthen in January, as Sky sources understand Everton are in talks with Manchester United for Morgan Schneiderlin. However, Baines believes Davies can also help to fill the void left by Idrissa Gueye's involvement with Senegal at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
"With young players you expect energy and the work-rate to be good but on top of that you can see the quality," Baines told evertontv.
"Tom Davies is a really important player for us. We are going to be missing Idrissa so between Tom and the other lads who are here - James McCarthy is coming back from injury - there is a good chance they will be needed."
