Everton captain Phil Neville says competition for places is driving their form improvement.

The skipper believes the key to the improvement is not simply about personnel - it is about numbers.

He told evertonfc.com: "Everybody knew the ability in the squad but in the first half of the season we had major injuries, there was a lack of competition and when you only have 11 players training it is not a good recipe.

"But since Christmas we have had 22 players training - we have had two players vying for every position and that ups the quality of the training and, as a result, the performance levels on a matchday. That is what has happened.

"In the first half of the season, we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves with so many people out injured. Mikel was out, Phil Jagielka was out, I was out, Victor Anichebe out. We had all these long-term injuries but then, all of a sudden, three or four start coming back into training and the confidence came back into the team. It makes such a difference when you have that competition in training.

"We went down to Arsenal and drew 2-2 - but they scored in the last minute. That was a great performance that gave us the springboard to go on and beat Manchester City, Chelsea and Man Utd. That sent us on the run we are on."