Everton looking good in the Europa League

Midfielder James McCarthy played a key role in Everton’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Lille

When the draw for the Europa League was made Everton were handed what looked like a difficult group alongside French side Lille, German team Wolfsburg and Russians Krasnodar.

It has not been as tough as expected and Everton are thriving in European competition.

The Toffees looked set to be given a hard ride on their return to European competition after a five year absence.

However, Roberto Martinez’s men have taken eight points from their four Europa League games after last night’s 3-0 victory over Lille at Goodison Park and sit top of their group.

Impressive

The Toffees display against the French outfit was impressive. They produced a performance reminiscent of last season’s style of play that brought them a fifth place finish in the Premier League. The passing, possession football was back on display.

Martinez’s side have not always been at their best in this season, but in their home games in the Europa League against Wolfsburg and Lille they have looked like the team that threatened to upset the Premier League top four applecart last season.

Solid

Everton’s defence started the campaign uncharacteristically leaky at the back. At one point the Toffees had the worst defence in the Premier League. The men from Merseyside now seem to have reverted to their previous solid form.

The Toffees have conceded just one goal in the last five games in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets, despite the fact that centre-backs John Stones and Antolin Alcaraz have long-term injuries.

England international centre-back Phil Jagielka made very shaky start to the season, but he now looks to have got over that start to the campaign and is looking solid again for the Toffees.

Veteran French centre-back Sylvain Distin has been out of the team for a long time after also making a poor start to the season. The former-Portsmouth star slotted back in at the heart of the Toffees backline like he had never been gone against Lille.

Underrated

Everton’s club-record signing may be Romelu Lukaku, but it was two underrated players in Steven Naismith and James McCarthy who stole the show against the French side last night.

Naismith is proving to be a bit of a bargain for the Toffees. He arrived from Rangers on a free transfer in the summer of 2012. He was regarded as a player that may play a bit part role at Goodison, but is turning out to be a key player for Roberto Martinez.

His clever moment and sheer work rate has made him a crowd favourite on the blue half of Merseyside. The Scotland international’s combination play with Lukaku is looking very promising and at the moment Naismith is keeping England international starlet Ross Barkley out of the team.

Naismith has now scored five goals this season and seems to be revelling in the faith that his club boss seems to have in him. The Scot is now highly valued by the fans, his teammates and his manager.

When James McCarthy arrived at Everton last summer from Wigan for a fee in the region of £13million his signing was regarded as a gamble by Martinez. Questions were asked about the size of the fee, as he was the Toffees second most expensive signing in the clubs history.

The Republic of Ireland international has set about proving his doubters wrong in empathic style. McCarthy is the player that always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He covers the usually marauding Everton full-backs and mops up any mess when needed.

He is far from just a midfield destroyer though, because he can pass the ball and highly effective with his distribution.

His display against Lille was McCarthy at his dynamic best, as he produced an all action display. The fact that he received a standing ovation on his exit from last night’s game says it all.

Qualification

Everton look in good shape to qualify for the knockout stages and could seal their spot with a draw at Wolfsburg in their next Europa League game. The Merseysiders also have the safety net of a home game against bottom of the group Krasnodar in their last group match.

Threat

Everton are currently odds of 16/1 to win the Europa League with a long way to go in the competition, anything is possible. On top form nobody in the Europa League will fancy facing the Toffees.

Everton could be a big threat in this competition. Everybody involved with the club seems confident they can go a long way in Europe this season. The Toffees will just hope that their Europa League form can lead to an upturn in their Premier League form.

How far can Everton go in the Europa League?