---
title: "Reactions as Pundit Claims Everton can Win Title Following Derby Draw"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/reactions-as-pundit-claims-everton-can-win-title-following-derby-draw/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-10-21T09:00:36Z"
modified: "2020-10-21T09:00:36Z"
---

# Reactions as Pundit Claims Everton can Win Title Following Derby Draw

With Everton remaining at the apex of the Premier League, one prominent pundit has made a bold claim surrounding the prospects of Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

Jamie O’Hara, speaking to talkSPORT has claimed that teams such as Everton or Spurs could mount a serious title challenge after Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk was ruled out with injury in a 2-2 Merseyside derby draw.

> Twitter: ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f3c6.svg) “You have to say a Everton are going to be there.”
>
> ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62e.svg) “#LFC have lost their best player, that opens up the PL.”… https://t.co/fbSS9hRmf7 (@talkSPORT)

Current Premier League champions Liverpool recently confirmed their key central defender would have to [undergo knee surgery](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/412585-virgil-van-dijk-knee-injury-surgery) and would likely be ruled out for much of the season as a result.

The Dutchman has a formidable record of appearances, having played in 95 of the 96 Premier League games Liverpool have had [since he made his debut](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12107820/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-facing-surgery-and-the-pressure-is-now-on-joe-gomez-and-joel-matip) in January 2018.

He played [every minute](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12107820/virgil-van-dijk-liverpool-defender-facing-surgery-and-the-pressure-is-now-on-joe-gomez-and-joel-matip) in the 2019/20 season, as they claimed the title for the first time in 30 years.

As a partial consequence off the back of a good run of form that has seen the Toffees secure four wins and a draw, O’Hara has now backed Everton and others to hold a firmer chance at seriously challenging more recent winners at securing the Premier League title.

Liverpool will have to look to Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as their primary central defensive reinforcements, whilst the Reds also hold young prospects Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips among their ranks.

O’Hara’s comments prompted a flurry of social media responses from football fans by suggesting Spurs or Everton could challenge for the title:

> Twitter: @talkSPORT @talkSPORTDrive I’d like to make a complaint…it’s not fair on the listener having to hear O Hara talk… https://t.co/jGgwQIVSwC (@DaveKing1990)

> Twitter: Jamie O Hara says it’s a 4 horse title race\
> Man City\
> Liverpool\
> Everton\
> Spurs
>
> Will they never learn (@Mark\_Hatten)

> Twitter: @talkSPORT “Lesser club like THFC”. Things you love to see ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f602.svg) (@ajc9662)

> Twitter: @talkSPORT @TSBreakfast A lesser club like Everton??? Somebody doesn’t know they history. (@neilkirkham10)

> Twitter: @talkSPORT “Lesser club” ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62d.svg)![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62d.svg)![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62d.svg) (@GoodwoodTed)

> Twitter: @talkSPORT Love to see Villa do it! Wind back the clock ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f601.svg) (@crouchie64)

Evidently, much bemusement surrounds O’Hara and his comments – though some football fans agree with some of his claims too.