Speaking after his side’s 2-1 win over Southampton this past Sunday, Everton’s Leon Osman said he was delighted to wear the captain’s armband and to set a new club record.
Osman made his 303rd Premier League appearance for the Toffees and in doing so set a new club record as he overtook David Unsworth.
“It feels great, and to do it on a day when we got an important victory makes it even better,” said Osman.
“It is just one of those things that Jags (Phil Jagielka) missed out, and I was next in line to get the armband, but it was an extra honour to wear it this time.
“As everyone knows, the last game was disappointing [a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on Boxing Day], especially for myself.
“So it shows how quickly things can change in football - against Southampton, I was captain of a winning team on a record-breaking day.”
The win saw Everton up to fourth on the league table, one point above Merseyside rivals Liverpool and three behind third placed Chelsea.
Osman is now encouraging his teammates to believe that they can finish in the top four and play Champions League football next season.
“I think you have to aim for it - if you are not, you are not really setting yourself any targets,” added Osman.
“We are certainly aiming high.
“We are still up in the fight and we are aiming to try to get as many points as we can.
“We are ticking along nicely.”
Everton next face Stoke City away from home on New Year’s Day.
