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Of all the comments to come out of Everton's

on Saturday, the most pertinent for me came from Kevin Mirallas.

Mirallas reflected on the Blues' great fightback from 3-1 down to snatch a point against Villa at the death and was quick to acknowledge the part played by Maraoune Fellaini in scoring Everton's two goals.

Fellaini's contribution underlined, yet again, how important he is to Everton this season and at times he seems to carry on the team on his own.

But that's not exactly how Mirallas saw it and while, yes, his compatriot is undoubtedly Everton's main man, he says their comeback was down to team spirit.

"He scored two vital goals, and is very important, but it's also all about the collective here," said Mirallas. "A lot of what we have achieved is down to his team-mates and if we do snatch the last Champions League place, it will be down to the group as a whole."

Mirallas' point was backed up by John Heitinga apologising on twitter for what he acknowledged was his worst performance in a blue shirt.

Any other foreign blow-in might have just jumped in his Bentley and zoomed off without a second thought.

But it says it all about the spirit David Moyes has created that the Dutch defender felt he owed it to his team-mates and the fans to say sorry publicly.

That's why Mirallas is right; Everton's bid to make the Champions League isn't down to Fellaini, it is down to the whole team.

In that sense the Blues have an advantage over their rivals because they never know when they are beaten.

Much has been made of their 12 draws from their 25 league games and, yes, this is too high a figure.

But their three defeats is the same number as Manchester United and only one more than Manchester City.

That is a great quality in the run-in for a top-four spot.

And it will be tested to the limit next Sunday at Old Trafford when they face a United side tramping over everyone in their path.

The Blues famously fought back to draw 4-4 there last season in the game Fergie says cost them the title.

They will need every last ounce of the fighting spirit they have shown this season to get anything out of this game.

And if they do, what a statement that would make about their Champions League aspirations.