EVERTON goalkeeper Tim Howard believes that the leadership skills of captain Phil Neville were a key factor in their side’s hard fought 1-0 victory over a dogged Stoke City as the skipper made his 600th senior appearance.

Despite winning all of the game’s major honours with Manchester United in an illustrious career at Old Trafford spanning over a decade, Bury-born Neville has subsequently become a highly-respected figure in Merseyside football after being handed the arm band at the Goodison Park outfit.

The last 214 appearances for the 33-year-old have come in an Everton jersey and Howard reckons that the example that Neville provides his team-mates is crucial.

Since the skipper returned to Premier League action following his opening day injury at Blackburn, David Moyes’ men have embarked on a five-match unbeaten run.

Howard said: “There’s a big trust factor. He does what he always says he’s going to do. He’s reliable and he’s there.

“Every time you look up he’s there, doing the right things, saying the right things and putting the work in.

“If you have somebody on the field doing that and putting in consistent performances it’s important.”