European football is now within reach for the Toffees.
Everton bounced back from their 5-1 mauling against Arsenal by comfortably beating Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The win moved Sam Allardyce’s team back up to ninth and, after Leicester City and Burnley lost, Everton are now just two points adrift of seventh place and a potential return to Europe.
Everton have now lost just one of their last four games and their overall form under Allardyce has been pretty steady, particularly at home where they have only lost one league game in seven under the 63-year-old.
The Toffees finished in seventh place under Ronald Koeman last season and that was deemed a successful campaign. After the signings they made, Everton fans were optimistic of progression but it has not quite worked out like that. However they have a very good chance of matching last season’s achievement, which would still be seen as satisfactory and a good platform to build from next time round.
Burnley currently occupy seventh spot but the wheels have come off a bit for the Clarets, who have gone ten games without a league win and look to have run out of steam.
Leicester are also challenging but they too have been a bit inconsistent of late. The Foxes have won just two of their last 10 games so it is certainly all to play for.
The Merseysiders’ experience, depth and quality are all factors that point towards them pipping Leicester and Burnley to seventh. They have a manager who has taken teams to Europe in the past and players like Wayne Rooney who have won European honours.
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