Everton boss Ronald Koeman believes his side’s strong start to the season has put them in a good position to achieve their goal of fighting it out for the European places.

The Toffees were poor last season under Roberto Martinez, with their lack of defensive organisation being heavily exposed as they eventually had to settle for an 11th place finish.

However, they look a different animal this time around and despite a poor first half showing, a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick saw them maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 3-0 win at Sunderland on Monday, a result that lifted them up to third in the table.

Koeman arrived from Southampton in the summer and already appears to have injected the shape and collective responsibility that was missing so much last term.

With no European commitments to worry about, Everton, who are 8.00 to claim a top four place, can afford to focus on finishing as high as possible in the Premier League.

Their Dutch coach admits a continental finish is the club’s goal for the campaign and sees no reason why they cannot succeed if they play to their potential.

Koeman told Sky Sports: “I think we will be one of the teams that will fight for European football.

“I think that is a realistic target and we showed that in the second half but if we play like the first half then we will be 13th or 14th place.

We need to fight for European football and the players showed the level they can be.”

Saturday sees Everton host Middlesbrough, a clash they are 1.73 to win, with the draw 3.75 and Aitor Karanka’s men priced at 5.00.