Everton boss David Moyes can sense their season turnaround can happen during the festive programme.

The Blues travel to Sunderland on Boxing Day before returning to Merseyside to entertain Burnley on December 28.

Moyes told evertonfc.com: "I think the derby was the game where we got the commitment bang on from the players. We didn't get the result, but since that game I think the players have realised the level they have to achieve if they want to get something from games. There has been an upturn.

"But in the position we are in, we are going to have to show it in abundance now. In the last few seasons we have probably had more opportunity to play some nice football and show what we're about.

"We have got two games in quick succession and it can change. Right now you have an idea of who is going to be where, although there are always one or two clubs that move in the second half of the season - be it dropping away from a strong position or moving right up the table. We have to make sure we are the team that is moving away from the bottom of the table. We are too close to the trapdoor at this moment.

"But at this moment in time we need to roll our sleeves up and fight to get out of the position we are in.

"I think people realise we are not a flash in the pan - we have been in the top six over a number of seasons. That is why we are disappointed by where we are.

"Our performances have been quite good in recent games but we haven't quite got the three points in those games.

"But the table can change very quickly over Christmas, with games in quick succession. The league has formed, we can't say our current position is not a true reflection of our form because it is - we are near the bottom right now because over the season we have not played well enough."