The battle for fourth starts now

Almost a third of the way through this year’s Premier League season, the question must be asked: can Everton hold on to fourth place?

The final Champions League spot is always a much talked about position yet, since the Toffees last cracked it in 2005, the league’s top four places have only been filled by six different teams.  This would suggest, then, that, despite the statistic of 67.5 percent of teams in the top four after 10 games finishing there, David Moyes has an almighty task to keep his side in the chase.

When Everton achieved the opportunity to play in Europe’s premier cup competition seven years ago, it was mainly down to the team’s resilient nature, which is still maintained by their Scottish manager to this day.  The side of 2004/05 ground out a lot of one goal victories by being dogged and determined, which ultimately provided them with enough points to finish above rivals Liverpool.  However, this year’s campaign has seen them praised by pundits for their attractive style of football, with players like Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas adding a flair which has not been seen in Everton’s play for some time.  There is also the more forward role of Marouane Fellaini, with the big Belgian flourishing at the head of the Toffees’ attack alongside Nikica Jelavic.

Manchester United, Chelsea and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City sit above Everton in the table at present.  Their high-aiming boss will definitely be targeting overtaking those teams, but even the most optimistic of the Goodison Park faithful would be surprised to see them do it.  The only other three clubs to make the top four since 2005 include North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, as well as the Toffees’ neighbours Liverpool, who many Everton fans will have enjoyed seeing struggle so far this year.

With the Reds’ faltering start to the season, is it now a straight fight for fourth place between Everton, Spurs and the Gunners?

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