Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure feels perceptions around the club are changing.

The Frenchman signed in the summer from Watford.

He told evertonfc.com: "Previously, maybe people thought, 'There is a top six, with Everton just behind'.

“But now Everton is in the top six, it is a top club in the league.

“It is signing top, top players like James and Allan and they have come here to achieve something.

“Everton are growing up.

“We have a strong squad with players in great form and we are competing with the biggest teams."