Neville enjoying Everton run

Neville: Enjoying cup run

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Phil Neville feels these are 'exciting times' for Everton following the club's solid start to the season.

The Toffees are ninth in the Premier League table after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Chelsea, which ended a run of six straight wins in all competitions.

David Moyes' side are also in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup and are on course for a place in the next round of the Uefa Cup after wins over Larissa and Nurnberg.

And, far from being a distraction, Everton skipper Neville believes that the club's European exploits are having a positive impact on the squad.

"At the start of the season we were picking up results and points, but we weren't playing brilliantly," Neville told Sky Sports News.

Enjoyment

"Now, there's a toughness about our play again and we are keeping clean sheets, which has always been one of our strengths.

"We are going about our way quietly and efficiently.

"People said the Uefa Cup would be a distraction, but it has not become a distraction. At the moment it has helped us, it has become an actual release of the pressure.

"Playing in the Uefa Cup has been an enjoyment, and you can see it by the way the fans went out to Nurnberg.

"It's just going to be an enjoyable cup run for us and it's exciting times at the club at the moment."