Some of the big issues facing Everton going into what will be an enthralling run-in
David Moyes looks on from the stands during the international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
David Moyes looks on from the stands during the international friendly match between Scotland and Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
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Everton are back. After a wait that felt like an eternity, the Blues travel to London to face Brentford this weekend for their first game since that emphatic hammering of Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium last month.
That 3-0 win set the tone for a three-week break that, when coupled with James Garner’s England call-up and a positive set of accounts, was spent with supporters dreaming of what might be possible in the final weeks of this campaign.
With seven games to go, here are some of the topics that will define Everton’s hopes of breaking into Europe after years of struggle at the wrong end of the table...
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Can Beto fire Everton to Europe?
Beto struck twice in the victory over Chelsea, adding to important goals at Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United to take his tally to six in the Premier League this season.
The brace followed a run of opportunities to start and it feels like he could be on the cusp of a golden patch like the one that carried Everton clear of trouble across February and March of last year.
Both Beto and Thierno Barry, also on six for the league campaign, have struggled at times this season but if one could now find some form it could go a long way to converting a good platform into an excellent year.
How much of a role can Jarrad Branthwaite play?
One of the big concerns before the international break was the fitness of Jarrad Branthwaite, who sat out the club’s warm weather training camp in Portugal as Everton sought to manage his workload.
Such caution was of little surprise given the amount of time the centre-back had missed this season through hamstring issues, but his absence at Arsenal and then from the starting line-up against Chelsea added to the concern over what role he could still play.
It was, therefore, valuable to see David Moyes turn to the defender in the closing stages against the Stamford Bridge side - something he surely would not have done had he had serious doubts about Branthwaite's condition given the game was won and to be followed by a three-week break.
Pictures of the defender in training have provided additional hope that he can play a genuine role in some challenging weeks.
Can David Moyes find some help from his squad?
One of the tougher aspects to judge about the season so far is the success of Moyes’ wider squad. The campaign has largely been built on the strength of his trusted core group of players and that, at times, has left little room for others to have an impact.
There have been useful moments from the likes of Merlin Rohl, Nathan Patterson and Harrison Armstrong, particularly through the January selection crisis.
But there are several players with more to give and finding a moment of magic from a few of those players yet to have breakthrough moments this season could be priceless.
The talent of players like Tyler Dibling, Tyrique George and Carlos Alcaraz is clear to see but Blues supporters are yet to have experienced one of those players produce something special, this season at least.
The stage is set for a hero and now would be a good time for the wider squad to provide some genuine back-up for those ahead of them.
Has the home form changed for good?
Although it ended in defeat, the home game with Manchester United felt like a turning point for life at Hill Dickinson Stadium. After some supporters stayed late to applaud the Everton players off the pitch, what had become a seven-game winless streak at home was ended next time out, against Burnley.
The Blues followed that up with the statement victory over Chelsea that felt like a turning point on the waterfront - Moyes later claimed it was the most ‘Goodison Park’ the new home had felt.
The question now is whether Everton can continue that streak. Next up at home is Liverpool, with Manchester City and Sunderland still to visit.
It is hard to see the Blues reaching Europe without success in some of those games - if the feel-good atmosphere created against Chelsea can be replicated then they have every chance.
Can they win in London?
And then the other big question is whether Everton can continue their magical away form.
Given the challenges they will face at home, the Blues will need some positive results on their travels and will have to ensure they can enjoy themselves in London, where all four remaining away trips will be.
This starts with Brentford in a huge clash between seventh and eighth on Saturday and will include visits to relegation-threatened West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Moyes has overseen two wins at Fulham and one at Crystal Palace, where his side also need to visit, since his return to the club.
Everton could really do with adding to that list.