Everton's new start Kevin Mirallas remaining realistic over Champions League

Kevin Mirallas: The Belgian has scored three goals in all competitions since joining Everton

Kevin Mirallas is aware Everton's positive start to the season is raising expectations of the UEFA Champions League but he also wants to remain realistic.

David Moyes' side have replicated the opening to the campaign of 2004/05 by winning four of their six matches and that season they went on to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Everton currently sit second in the table having most recently defeated Southampton on Saturday and Mirallas is delighted with their beginning to 2012/13.

But the £6million summer signing from Olympiakos also knows there is a long way to go before any talk of the Champions League becomes a reality.

Mirallas said: "Before I signed, I was looking at the Europa League being a more realistic ambition.

"But certainly now as the season has got under way, we have got a good crop of players here and are playing some really nice football.

"It's fantastic that we are second and our ambition now has to be stay up there and put pressure on those around us.

"It's a long season, though, and there's a long way to go, so we'll have to see what happens."

The Belgium international has started five games and scored three goals in all competitions since joining Everton and he is pleased but also thinks there is more to come.

Mirallas said: "I'm still not quite there physically. I still need a good run of games to be 100 per cent fit.

"I had a chat with the manager when I first came here and he was fully aware that I hadn't had a full pre-season, because I'd had a problem with my knee. I'm trying to catch up on that by playing games."

• Premier League Top 4 Finish 12/13 Top 4 Finish: Everton 80/1