Everton defender Johnny Heitinga admits the gap is widening between themselves and the league's biggest clubs.

The Toffees are losing touch with the clubs competing for the Champions League spots.

Dutch defender Heitinga admitted to the Liverpool Echo: "You have to be realistic, and the top four is better than the rest at the moment. At the moment the gap seems wider.

"Last season and two seasons ago we would beat all the big teams here (Goodison Park), and so far we haven't got one point against the big sides.

"So it's for us to fight a little bit harder, and we'll see what's going to happen in the future."