I don’t think many things will top last week, but that has to be the objective of this Everton side going into the second half of the season. It has to be the benchmark, the ultimate standard. That’s the potential of this side.
And these games, against the likes of Palace, struggling badly with relegation troubles, need to be routine Everton victories. We’re seven points off the Top Six. Bigger gaps have been overcome, some very recently. That’s our title Race this season, we’ve just started a bit behind, that’s all.
The season isn’t as dead and buried as many would have you believe.
Our focus now needs to be to generate momentum going into the final stretch and carry on our impressive post-Christmas form, where we have three wins and a draw from four games. We’ve beaten the likes of Arsenal, City and Southampton in recent weeks, thoroughly thumping two of those.
So, it’s these games that present a banana peel, and we need to stand steady.
Team.
Joel Robles
It is an insult by Ronald Koeman to even think about dropping Joel Robles. He is, statistically, the 2nd best shot-stopper in the league. He would be dropped for the 17th best, and a man who is living off of one game.
Joel is number one, now, and possibly longer if he keeps this form up.
He is truly playing like a top Six keeper.
Séamus Coleman (RWB)
The defensive setup is the same as the one that beat City, and it offered Séamus Coleman significant freedom to do what he does best.
Sprint.
Mason Holgate (CB)
This kid is looking better every week. As John Stones embarrasses time and time again, Mason Holgate is becoming the best Barnsley export in recent years.
He is calm on the ball, strong in the tackle and tall in the air.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t be part of a permanent setup now.
Ashley Williams (CB)
A better performance against City serves his patchy record well. He needs to garner some consistency in this second half of the season as he fights for a place in Ronald Koeman’s long-term Everton.
Ramiro Funes Mori (CB)
Another who is fighting for his future, Ramiro has done nothing yet to harm his chances of being in and around the first-team next season.
He has been solid this season, with some brilliant performances thrown in.
Leighton Baines (LWB)
Leighton has been steady but not exceptional this season, but he is an ever-present base of a shaky Everton attack.
In the 5-at-the-back or 3-at-the-back system, however, you want to see it, he’s been much improved.
Tom Davies (CM)
I don’t really need to say anything, do I?
He’s thrived in the 3-man midfield as of late and is slowly becoming a mainstay in this star-studded team.
Now he is not the kid we hope will develop, he’s the man we expect to impress.
Ross Barkley (CM)
Ross is benefiting hugely from Tom being in the team, as he is finding that the spotlight is off of him. He’s playing his own game, and his own game is his best.
He’s been superb as of late, running the show largely against City, overshadowed by Tom Davies’ instantaneously legendary goal.
Morgan Schneiderlin (CM)
Now, Barry was brilliant last week, but it’s time to blood Morgan into the team.
He looked comfortable against City, and he should face no problems against a weak Palace midfield.
Kevin Mirallas (ST)
Super Kev is finding form again as a Striker.
That is the most exciting thing that can happen to this team, bar none.
On his day, he truly has the ability to take over the game against any opposition in the league.
He can be our greatest asset.
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
Rom is going up against a much better defence than City’s this week.
Not really saying much like.
He also benefits from having another man up with him, as shown last week, and he loves playing with Kevin Mirallas.