DARRON GIBSON has hailed the “brilliant” Goodison Park crowd and believes Everton FC’s supporters can act as a 12th man for the rest of the season.

The famous old stadium reverberated under the floodlights on Tuesday night as Premier League leaders Manchester City were downed 1-0 by Everton FC.

Gibson’s first goal for EFC gave David Moyes’s side a second successive home triumph in four days after struggles on their own patch for much of the campaign.

And the Republic of Ireland midfielder is confident the intensity of following can help continue building momentum – starting at Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

“The crowd showed in the second half on Tuesday,” said Gibson. “They were brilliant. They pushed us on when it looked like we were getting tired, they got up and started shouting and were like a 12th man. It was brilliant.

“We have had a few good results over the last week and are starting to get a bit of belief in ourselves.

“We can gain a lot of confidence from going to Wigan and winning, and it can help us kick on.”

Gibson, who was signed last month from Manchester United, had last scored for his former club in their Champions League semi-final against Schalke almost nine months ago. And the 24-year-old is determined to make the most of the opportunity of regular first-team football at Goodison.