Everton have kept their Champions League push on track by beating Southampton 1-0 and leaving their visitors too close to the bottom of the Premier League table.
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Richarlison scored for the third-successive match to move Carlo Ancelotti's side within two points of fourth-placed West Ham United, with a match in hand.
The Italian manager believes consistency is the ultimate key to Champions League qualification.
"It would be a dream to be in the top four at the end of the season. If we win on Thursday we can be, but the season is long," Ancelotti said.
"I think we have to stay (focused) on our goal and that is to play in Europe next season."
While Everton's worst home run - three losses in a row - since 1958 was brought to an end, the pain for the Saints continues with just one draw and eight defeats in their past nine league matches leaving them seven points above the bottom three and wondering just where their next win will come from.
"At the moment we cannot score, that is our problem... I'm not so disappointed today because we played the maximum we can at the moment," Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl told Sky Sports.
Southampton's only real opportunity fell to Moussa Djenepo in the final 10 minutes - and he blazed wide when well placed.
It was an escape for Everton, who faded after having a second goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half.
But Ancelotti was pleased to see their recent struggles at Goodison Park end.
"The home run was not good and this performance, this victory, can help us have a better run at home," he told Sky Sports.
What Everton could really do with to boost their top-four aspirations is Richarlison catching fire in the final three months of the season.
His angled ninth-minute finish was only his fifth in the league this season.
Playing in a two up front with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has 13 league goals this season, Richarlison took his chance brilliantly - rounding Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster before finishing.
It was the first time since since December 2019 he has scored in three-successive league matches.
Michael Keane had a header ruled out by VAR for offside as Southampton's intention on holding a perilously high line at free-kicks caused them more than a few problems.
Australian Associated Press
