The 30-year-old American broke Neville Southall's club record for clean sheets in one season and became the first Toffees goalkeeper to concede fewer than 100 goals in his first 100 appearances.

But having just signed a new five-year contract Howard insists Everton will get to see the best of him in the coming seasons.

"I'm excited. It (new contract) comes at a really good time. I guess any new deal is a good thing but to be able to seal it now and go home for the summer is good," he told evertonTV.

"It was relatively easy. The club wanted me here, I wanted to be here and it worked out really well.

"I feel this is some of the best football I've ever played but, from what history tells me, goalkeepers normally come into their prime about this time.

"If I can have my best years here at Everton I think everyone will be excited and I know I'd be over the moon.

"It would be a great place for me to have my peak time. It's a place I've said all along where I enjoy coming to work every day."

Midfielder Tim Cahill believes the club are the envy of the vast majority of the Barclays Premier League.

David Moyes' side finished fifth despite having a limited transfer budget and suffering a number of debilitating injuries throughout the season.

Those problems saw the Australia midfielder deployed as an emergency striker for much of December and January as they had no other options.

"When you see clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea spending their hundreds of millions you can understand why they are there (in the top four) and why, when they are not winning the Premier League, they are getting questioned," said Cahill.

"I think a lot of other chairmen will prefer to be doing what we're doing.

"They see the manager and the players believing and wanting to play in every game.

"Whether we have got knocks and kicks [we still show] the passion and the character in every game."