The South Africa international is in the last year of his contract at Goodison Park and negotiations appeared to hit a stumbling block over the summer. However, the 28-year-old has not let that affect him as he put in another encouraging performance in the Toffees' last-gasp 3-3 draw against Manchester United on Saturday. Pienaar accepts the World Cup made things difficult for many players who returned to their clubs later than usual ahead of the new campaign but he feels in top form. "When you come back from pre-season and join a team late you have to catch up," he said. "But for me it wasn't really a matter of that, it was just getting fully fit by playing games. "Even if I made mistakes I just had to improve, so by playing even for the national team it's helped me get sharper and get my confidence. "I feel fit and that's so important because I'm enjoying my football." Pienaar hit Everton's opener against United but then saw the visitors score three times before injury-time strikes from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta snatched a point, extending their unbeaten record which stretches back to late November last year. They have still to register a win in four matches this season but the midfielder believes that show of character may prove to be significant. "It can definitely be a turning point," he told the Liverpool Echo. "The comeback was amazing. For us it could be a big game, and as long as we keep the record of almost a year without a defeat at home we can go on. "It's only four games gone and we have 32 left so let's hope and see. "Our confidence hasn't been dented at all. We are all full of confidence."
