Everton are heading into their game at the weekend against Nottingham Forest with a real spring in their step following the win on Tuesday.
Beating Bournemouth and beating them in their own backyard is no easy feat for any Premier League side this season.
David Moyes and his side faced a really difficult test against one of the surprise packages of the 2025/26 campaign.
Against the Cherries, Everton only conceded two shots on target, which is their lowest of the season.
Everton’s display had the away end bouncing on the south coast as Jack Grealish’s effort provided all three points.
Heading into the game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Alan Stubbs has admitted he has noticed something different with these players.
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Alan Stubbs notes exciting change about Everton in recent weeks
Stubbs has already suggested Everton’s mentality has changed this season on the back of their victory at Old Trafford.
Since that game, Everton have since been thumped by Newcastle and then bounced back in style against the Cherries.
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During the latest episode of A View From The Bullens podcast, Stubbs has shared another change he has noticed on Merseyside.
“I think it’s the first time in a long time that the players have got a connection with the fans,” said Stubbs.
“I think that’s huge! As a fan, I think we’re starting to love our team again. I think we’re starting to love the players that we’re seeing.”
“It’s all come together with the stadium. I think the quality of players we’re starting to bring to the club and I think you are starting to feel that we are starting to get our Everton back.”
Stubbs is expecting Everton’s squad depth to be tested over the coming weeks when Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye depart.
That will provide an opportunity for the likes of Tyler Dibling to get in on the act and show the fans exactly what he can offer the club.
The Newcastle loss was a bitter pill to swallow, but the future is looking much brighter.
Everton must maintain fan connection with Nottingham Forest result
As was the case last week, it felt like the hard work at Old Trafford came undone during the drubbing against the Magpies.
Moyes will be keen to see the same thing avoided on Saturday when Forest travel to Merseyside.
What type of reception does Sean Dyche deserve on Saturday? 🤐
“The Toffees are a strong bunch in many ways, it may be good, bad or indifferent [the reaction he gets], but they know deep down the work that we did.
“I know there is plenty of them because they all came and told me.”
Sean Dyche on how he will be welcomes back to Everton.
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Earlier in the campaign, Moyes mooted the notion of targeting European qualification and that will only be possible with consistency.
There is absolutely no reason why Everton should not be taking three points from Dyche’s side.
Everton have shown their quality in recent weeks, but fans will now want to see that across a string of consecutive games.
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