View: Everton finally believe they can survive relegation after win v Manchester United
Everton have always been one of those teams you can rely on to take their fans on a rollercoaster journey throughout the season, and that’s still the case.
The Toffees earned a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Goodison Park on Saturday, which moved them four points above the relegation zone after Burnley were beaten by Norwich on Sunday.
But while they’ve had false dawns before during this season under both Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard, something felt different about this weekend’s results.
After the low of the midweek defeat to Burnley, it felt like a downward spiral that would only get worse with momentum hugely against them.
Now though, after it swung back in their favour, there seems to be more belief and more joy among the fans than at any point in the season.
Now there will undoubtedly be more low points to come, with the remaining Premier League games to come against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Leicester x2, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Watford.
But the reaction of the players on the pitch after the win against Manchester United tells us that they finally, finally understand the depth of what their performances mean to their city.
Their fans have been crying out for some desire and effort in recent weeks. Not because the results haven’t been good enough, but more because they know the squad is capable of far more and far better.
The image of Alex Iwobi, Vitalii Mykolenko and Richarlison collapsing to the ground in sheer euphoria as the final whistle went will live long in the memory of fans if they stay up. This was a turning point.
They get it. This means more than just three points to them, they’re finally understanding.
That is the biggest positive of Lampard’s reign to date. Not results or a play style or a philosophy, but after months of trying he seems to have finally got that connection back between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands.
Toffees aren’t expecting to win every game, they’re far more realistic than that. But with eight games to go and a four-point cushion, they know they’re getting there.
More performances like Saturday will bring more points, that is something everyone can be sure of, because the players have got quality. They wouldn’t be at Everton if they didn’t.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville slams ‘appalling’ Everton despite 1-0 win over Manchester United
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