da winzada777： A strong second half of the season has put Everton in an intriguing position ahead of their Saturday Merseyside derby at Anfield. Only six points behind their fierce city rivals, Ronald Koeman’s Toffees have a faint shout of nipping into the top four jostling. Arsenal and Manchester United sit between the two Scouse clubs – and both have matches in hand – but the inconsistencies in their form could leave the door ajar for Koeman’s in-form side.
da fazobetai： Everton are a formidable unit at the moment. Although reliant on the goal scoring exploits of the streaky Romelu Lukaku, Koeman has rebuilt the team during his first season. A midfield of the enterprising Tom Davies, cool Morgan Schneiderlin and all-action Idrissa Gueye serves as the core for a side that will almost certainly be thereabouts next season. The defence can still look vulnerable, but Everton are a team improving and in a rich vein of form.
The worst team for them to face right now in many ways, though, is Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been unstoppable against fellow top half opposition for much of this season and, while Koeman will aim to absorb pressure and spring counters, a partisan Anfield crowd will make for a hostile afternoon.
Form is in Everton’s favour, even if Liverpool’s record is not. Over the last ten games Everton are the most dangerous side in the league, having conceded fewer than Chelsea and scored more than Spurs. They are, all things considered, building momentum as they aim to join the top six party.
The losses of James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori weaken their jaunt towards the top six, though. A squad with talent and momentum can be a force to be reckoned with but it can only go so far and the horrific loss of Coleman may hurt them in Saturday’s derby. The Irishman is not only a reliable defender, he is pivotal for the Toffees as an escape pass down the right flank.
Should this turn in Everton’s favour, Koeman’s team will be a very significant threat to Manchester United and Arsenal. Finishing outside the top six has hardly been in consideration for those two clubs this season, but that could become a risk with an Everton victory. Liverpool too will be looking nervously over their shoulders if the gap is closed to three points. Arsenal, especially, are unlikely to take three points this weekend as they host Manchester City, falling into seventh will only aggravate the ‘Wenger Out’ protestors further.
A surge towards Champions League riches has come a little late for Everton realistically this season, but a victory at Anfield would not only be significant in their home city, it would upset the top six apple cart. Next season – whether Lukaku stays or goes – Everton will be a very real candidate for the top six and maybe even the top four.
Whisper it, but finishing seventh this season may well aid any hopes of a top six finish next.