Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists the integrity of his players means they do not intend just to make up the numbers against title-chasers Manchester City this weekend.

The Toffees are in the strange position where taking points off the visitors would put the destiny of the Premier League back in the hands of near-neighbours Liverpool.

To many Evertonians the thought of the red half of the city winning the championship after a 24-year hiatus is an unpalatable one and left plenty with mixed emotions ahead of the Goodison Park clash.

But Martinez said that was not an attitude recognised within the club, stressing Saturday’s match was not about doing anyone favours.

“We are not in a season where we are playing for nothing, just making up the numbers. We are not that sort of football club,” said the Spaniard, whose fifth-placed side still harbour ambitions of catching Arsenal four points ahead of them.

“The values we have as a football club mean we would never contemplate not to give our all in a game, especially when we have so much to fight for.

“I don’t think there is any doubt about the integrity of our football club towards the league, we are a club who want to win every single game.

“They are precious points for us and we can’t really afford not to give everything we have got for every point we have got left.

“If that adds some spice in the twists and turns of the title race so be it.

“As to helping other teams, that is not the way we do our work. It is not as if we are coming out on the pitch to do anyone a favour.

“We are focusing on trying to win for ourselves and have real high standards in every game we go into representing our club.”