Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is convinced Everton can break into the top four next season.

He believes that wins over Manchester United and Chelsea at Goodison Park will give his team-mates a psychological edge over rivals Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Bilyaletdinov, 25, said: "Next year we are ready to be conquering the top four. And why not?

"Everybody saw that many favourites have yielded to us by the end of the season. So expect Everton in the Champions League next year."

The former Lokomotiv Moscow star, signed for £9m by David Moyes last summer, reflected on a gruelling personal season involving some personal highs and lows after his switch to Merseyside.

He said: "The longest season in my career has ended. It started in January 2009 and finished in May 2010 and it was hard enough. It was more difficult in terms of psychology than in terms of physical conditions.

"This year and a half was full of different emotions - both positive and negative. For example the national team failed to qualify to the World Cup 2010 and the club was left without European football. Of course it cannot but disappoint me."