Season › 2013-14 › News McCarthy: Dream first start was an honour Lyndon Lloyd , 2 October, 0comments | Jump to most recent 'The fans were different class' James McCarthy was elated after making his full home debut in the 3-2 win over Newcastle, describing his first Premier League start for the Blues in front of the Goodison faithful as an honour. The 22 year-old made his first appearance since joining Everton from Wigan Athletic as a substitute in the win over Chelsea on 14 September but was named in the starting XI for the first time in the League on Monday evening. Playing alongside Gareth Barry in the centre of midfield, McCarthy helped the Blues roar to a 3-0 half-time lead and might have scored himself but for a save by Tim Krul to deny him midway through the first half. “It was brilliant to get out there in front of the home fans,” McCarthy told evertontv. “It's what you dream of as a kid to come and play at such a big stadium like Goodison. The fans were different class and it was a real honour to get my first start, especially at home.” The Irish international knows, though, that he will need to be on top of his game to keep a regular place in the side given the competition for places in that part of Roberto Martinez's side. “Obviously there's Gareth [Barry] in there alongside me and Ross [Barkley] just in front. I really enjoyed it but I still need to keep my head down and carry on working hard, because it still comes down to day-to-day basics.” The win over Alan Pardew's Magpies lifted Everton into fourth place and above Saturday's opponents, Manchester City, but McCarthy, who will be a good bet to start seeing as Barry will be ineligible to face his parent club, is under no illusions about the size of the task to stay there as the season wears on. “Now we need to kick on,” he said. “It's three important points [against Newcastle] and the unbeaten record is still going. We're gelling as a squad and long may it continue. “[Fourth is] where we want to be but it isn't easy. Every game we will keep working hard.” Quotes or other material sourced from evertonfc.com About these ads © ToffeeWeb