Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has claimed that the Toffees have been "pretty solid" defensively in recent weeks.

The club have won their last three games without conceding a goal to move them into seventh spot in the Premier League table, while they have also set up an FA Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool.

"We felt like we've been pretty solid lately. We've had a good run since Christmas and we really felt like that started defensively, and we've been scoring goals as well," the 33-year-old told the club's official website.

"I don't know how the manager is choosing at the minute but he seems to be doing the right thing, and giving guys a rest when they need it and they haven't disappointed.

"I love our centre-halves - Phil Jagielka was our skipper against West Brom and he was fantastic. Since the turn of the year it's not about if we're going to concede, it's about how many chances we'll give up."

Howard joined Everton from Manchester United in 2007.