Added some muscle in the middle of the park.placeholder image
Added some muscle in the middle of the park. | AFP via Getty Images
Everton’s fixture list doesn’t get any easier over the coming weeks, but David Moyes has received some good news.
The congested table has seen David Moyes take his team from 14th place up to sixth and are flirting with the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League at the first attempt at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees boss can be content with what his side has produced this season with the summer signings nearly all playing their part.
David Moyes gets Everton squad boost
Next up for Moyes is a trip to face Chelsea who, after looking like they could challenge Arsenal at the top of the table, have lost their way with two draws and a defeat in their last three league fixtures. A win for Everton could see them rise into the top four and, at least, leap-frog their opponents who currently sit in fifth.
What makes Everton’s run more impressive is that they have had to endure a mini-injury and suspension crisis. Ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge, Moyes already saw the return of Michael Keane to the defence but will have two more names to add. Idrissa Gana Gueye will play his last game before joining up with Senegal for the African Cup of Nations and Tim Iroegbunam’s one game suspension has also been served after picking up five yellow cards for the season.
With a packed fixture list ahead of Everton, having players back and as big a squad as possible is key to continuing to compete at the top end of the league. What he won’t want is for James Garner to pick up his fifth booking of the season and miss the equally as difficult task of facing Arsenal after playing in every league game so far.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on ‘special’ Everton
One player who will be pivotal to Everton’s hopes is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with the 27-year old getting to showcase his talents at the heart of a team with aspirations of competing for trophies. With four goals and three assists, the playmaker is providing the numbers to go with his performances and has been one of the league’s most consistent players so far. Speaking after his man of the match display against Nottingham Forest, the former Chelsea man has explained why Everton are in such a rich vein of form, via the club’s website: "I think, apart from the blip against Newcastle, it feels like we're playing some good stuff and we're really clicking.
“Credit to the lads because I thought today we were really good today, apart from 10 minutes in the first half. I thought we were the dominant team and they didn't cause us many problems and we were aggressive and created chances. It's been a great week – two wins, two clean sheets, so you can't ask for much more. I came to Everton for a reason. I saw something that looked pretty special to me. It's a nice project and I'm glad that it's starting to feel this good now.
"Obviously, joining a new club you want to fit in and now I'm starting to feel like I'm really settled. I'm feeling the best I've ever felt, so long may that continue and I'm just happy that I'm contributing to the team getting points and getting up the table."
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