Young England midfielder Ross Barkley helped Everton record a 3-1 victory over QPR on Monday night
Everton defeated QPR 3-1 on Monday night at Goodison Park to end a run of four games without a win in the Premier League.
Deflected efforts from Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith were enough to ensure victory, while Hoops substitute Bobby Zamora scored a late consolation for the visitors.
Vital
The game was important for both sides, but this victory could be vital for Roberto Martinez’s side, as the Toffees Premier League campaign so far has been underwhelming.
The fact that the Toffees kicked-off this game 13th in the table illustrated perfectly just how bad their form has been in the English top-flight.
To end that poor run of form and move back into the top half of the Premier League table will be a relief to everybody involved with the Toffees.
Relief would probably be the correct word as the men from Merseyside prior to this game were just four points clear of their 18th place visitors.
A relegation battle was never in the Everton script this season and it is clear to everybody that the Toffees have too much quality within their ranks for their poor run of form to last long. Sooner or later the quality would show and yesterday some of that quality showed against the Hoops.
Outstanding
One of the keys to Everton’s win over the Hoops was the central midfield pairing of Ross Barkley and Bosnian midfielder Muhamed Besic.
Neither would usually be first choice in that central midfield area, but the Toffees were missing their regular pairing of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy through suspension and injury respectively. However their two young replacements were outstanding in their stead.
To say that Besic likes a tackle would be an understatement. The 22-year-old is certainly a fiery character and his combative style has already made him a cult hero amongst the Goodison Park faithful.
Besic has not found it easy to adapt to life in the Premier League, but his display against the Hoops was outstanding. He filled the gaps when needed and distributed the ball well, proving that he is not just your typical midfield destroyer. The youngster definitely has skill as well as tenacity.
If he can channel that tenacity in the right manner then the £4million summer signing could turn out to be a very good player for the Toffees.
His midfield partner on Monday night needs no introductions. Ross Barkley is regarded as one of the brightest young English talents of his generation. Injuries have hampered his progress, but his performance against the Hoops illustrated why he is so highly-rated.
Barkley calmed Everton nerves with a superb run and goal just after the half hour mark. Even before the goal the 21-year-old’s influence from midfield was there for all to see.
Barkley usually plays in a more advanced role than the one he occupied in last night’s game, but boss Roberto Martinez has previously stated that he believes that the youngster will eventually drop back into central midfield from the number ten role.
Against QPR he proved that he is very effective in that central midfield role, showing composure and discipline in his new role. With the likes of Barry and McCarthy possibly available for the weekend trip to Southampton, Barkley could very well return to his more advanced position.
His performance against QPR will give Roberto Martinez food for thought for the future, with the youngster showing he is not out of place in a deeper role.
Consistency
Everton have struggled to find any sort of consistency this season. Maybe the win over QPR could just start the Toffees on a good run of form. They face a trip to the south coast to face out-of-form Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints have not won in five Premier League matches and lost their last four. The Toffees could move within two points of the fifth place team with a win at St Marys.
Roberto Martinez’s side were expected to challenge for the top four this season, but at the moment they are seven points behind fourth place West Ham in the Premier League table. However, there is still time for the Toffees to challenge for the top six, or even the top four this season.
Martinez’s side needs to put together a run of wins to move themselves up the table, because the Toffees have given themselves a mountain to climb to finish in those European places.
The Toffees do have the quality within their ranks to still make the European places though and if last season is anything to go by they certainly cannot be ruled out as possible top six contenders.
Can Everton now finally find some consistency?
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