Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard: We can qualify for Europe if we stay positive

Tim Howard , Everton (Getty Images)

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Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is delighted to see the club “back where it belongs” after they climbed to their highest position in the league this season.

The Toffees draw with Villa saw them move into seventh position and Howard is hopeful it can be the catalyst for an improvement in their league form as they chase European football next season.

“We were adrift for a while but we’re right back in the thick of where this club belongs – fighting for Europe every season,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s taken us a bit longer than we would have hoped but we’re there and it’s good to be talking like that.

“People made more if than they should, two months ago I was asked about whether we worried about the teams below us.

“But two wins puts us up near the European places, you just need to be positive.”

And the American keeper waded into the debate on goalline technology after seeing Jermaine Beckford’s strike ruled out despite seemingly crossing the line in Saturday’s draw.

“I think the debate is simple – you need it at both ends,” he added.

“You can’t ask the linesman to be 20 yards away holding an offside line and half a second be on the goaline deciding whether the ball was in or out.

“If you had goal-line technology that call would have taken 10 seconds up in a booth somewhere.

“Some people would tell you technology has moved away from tradition but this game has moved forward light-years.”