Everton have managed to close the gap to the top six in recent weeks and an assault on the European places now looks like a possibility.
The target for Everton at the start of this season seemed to be to challenge the Premier League’s top four – and at the very least the top six – after spending big money in the summer.
But those plans were wrecked by an awful start to the campaign as Ronald Koeman lost his job with the Toffees languishing at the wrong end of the table.
That slump continued under David Unsworth, but things are now looking up for Everton as new manager Sam Allardyce remains unbeaten in the top job at Goodison Park.
Indeed, ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace on Thursday night, Allardyce’s men are just seven points off the top six.
And their hopes of catching the Gunners could be boosted by the seemingly impending arrival of Besiktas forward Cenk Tosun – as reported by the Guardian.
A prolific goalscorer like Tosun is exactly what Everton have been missing and they must now have optimism heading into the second half of the season.
The FA Cup is still there to play for, but there’s no reason that Allardyce’s side cannot be putting pressure on Arsenal – who play in four competitions – in a bid to secure a European place.
Everton’s one glaring flaw will be eradicated with the signing of Tosun and now there is no excuse to not at least match last season’s seventh-placed finish.
A strong run of form until the end of the season could see the Toffees better that, too. That must be their aim.
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