Roberto Martinez has insisted that his Everton side can recover from their Premier League woes and mount a challenge for a top-four finish.
The Toffees were thumped 3-0 at Southampton on Saturday in a result that leaves them 11th in the table, 10 points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham United.
However, with another 66 points on offer this season, the Spaniard is refusing to believe that Champions League qualification is impossible.
"The league is more open than it was the last campaign," he told the Daily Mail. "I must admit that at this stage you could feel the first three positions were taken but I don't think that is the case.
"Southampton and West Ham have been the best teams for me this season when you look at how they have performed. That opens a real competitive edge in the top six.
"Spurs and Arsenal are there. I still think there are a lot of points to fight for. There are a lot of teams who are going to get a lot of points from each other."
The Merseysiders host Stoke City at Goodison Park on Friday, before travelling to Newcastle United two days later.
Shane Callaghan
