Everton back in form with a bang!

As most regular readers of my editorials know I am a proud Everton fan. This evenings 2-0 victory over mega-rich Manchester City just made me prouder. We played with the passion and desire of previous seasons under David Moyes.

Spirit

This season Everton have looked like a different team to the one that have finished in the top six of the Premier League in the last three seasons. In fact it’s been painful to watch at times. Yet in the last few months the tables have turned and Everton are on the up.

David Moyes Everton teams are famous for their never say die attitude and it’s that spirit which has taken the Blues to the European places in the last few years. It was also that spirit which got Everton to the FA Cup final last season.

Players Returning

It’s no coincidence that the good run of form has coincided with the return from injury of Steven Pienaar and club captain Phil Neville. Both players sum up the Everton way of playing. They give their all and work their socks off.

Phil Neville might not be the greatest footballer ever but he provides the team with much needed leadership and battling qualities. He is also very versatile, which he showed by going into central defence today and not for the first time.

Pienaar is just superb. He has so much quality on the ball and skill, yet he also works so hard for the team. He must be right up there with David Moyes best signings to date. The little South African showed his class against Arsenal last weekend by delicately chipping Manuel Almunia to give Everton the lead and today he was everywhere. I’m just glad South Africa isn’t playing in the African Nations Cup!

Man of the Match

The best player on the pitch against Manchester City was a player that many people have criticised in the past, Marouane ‘screech’ Fellaini. However even his biggest critic (Graham Fisher!) must admit he was head and shoulders above anybody most on the pitch, literally in some respects!

He outclassed the likes of Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong in midfield and just like Pienaar appeared to be everywhere on the pitch. And to top it all off he produced a lovely pirouette to deceive the horrible Craig Bellamy in the centre of the pitch. He was also superbly denied a goal by Shay Given.

More Good News

There is even better news for Everton fans with influential players such as Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka set to return in the coming weeks. Both have been long-term injury casualties. In fact Arteta has been out for almost a year after picking up his injury in February of last year.

The pair are crucial players down the spine of the Everton team and their return will be a fantastic boost to the already improving Everton side. David Moyes might get a rare selection headache in the coming weeks. He might also be able to name some players who haven’t just been picked up from the local school on his bench.

Europa League

A few weeks ago I was thinking we wouldn’t have much of a chance in the Europa League. However the form Everton are in we can be confident of beating Sporting Lisbon, who are struggling to make an impact in Liga Sagres.

I now think a good run in the Europa League is possible. There are some good teams in the competition and Liverpool as well, but in top form we can take on anybody in the competition. Recent draws at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge have proved that and that’s without some of those previously mentioned key players.

Relief

To be honest I was starting to get nervous sitting near the bottom of the Premier League and out-of-form. As an Evertonian though, I should know that Everton never do anything the easy way and it wouldn’t be Everton Football Club if we did. An Evertonians life is never boring and that’s just the way I like it!