Phil Jagielka has claimed that the number of teams challenging for a place in the Champions League will produce an exciting finish to the season.

The Everton defender, whose side travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, believes that it is inevitable for teams close to them to drop points every week.

"Pretty much every weekend somebody is going to drop points because they are playing against another team who is alongside them," Jagielka told the club's official website.

"That's the best thing about the remaining part of the season, that not only our games will matter but so will others.

"Hopefully it's going to set up an exciting end to the season."

Everton are one point ahead of Spurs, who sit in sixth, ahead of Sunday's meeting between the two sides.