Everton have already ‘signed Iliman Ndiaye replacement’
Everton have undergone a rollercoaster season so far and fans are now excitable again for the first time in years under David Moyes.
The Saturday evening victory at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace (15 February) stamped down a further marker that the Toffees will not be survival battlers any longer.
Carlos Alcaraz’s first goal with the Blues’ badge on his chest tilted the game the Toffees’ way as Beto also extended his impressive recent scoring run.
Moyes’ men have now won four of their last five in the Premier League, their only dropped points coming through what was very much a point earned in the most dramatic of circumstances against Liverpool (12 February).
Alcaraz signing now ‘suddenly’ vital
Everton had an underwhelming winter transfer window which left supporters gloomy, with Moyes admitting PSR constraints were holding the board back from chasing the calibre of targets they had identified.
Alcaraz however did come in, returning from Flamengo to the Premier League in which he competed for Southampton, with Harrison Armstrong then allowed to leave on loan.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Goodison News, believes the injury to Iliman Ndiaye against Liverpool which threatened to rock the Everton boat has now created a massive opportunity for Alcaraz – which he is so far taking.
“They got Alcaraz in and when Ndiaye got injured, he suddenly looked like he could be a really good signing,” Darke said.
“They’ve been able to make use of him, when they might not have believed they would do as much.
“I can see him keeping that Ndiaye role.”
Everton have six games left at Goodison Park
Now sat on 30 points, life is looking at whole lot less bleak for Everton who are 13 clear of the relegation places, realistically having secured survival already.
With 13 games left of the season, Moyes will not want his team to take their collective foot off the gas, hoping to bow out at Goodison Park on a high note with six of their remaining fixtures coming at home.
Manchester City, Arsenal and upcoming opponents (22 February) Manchester United are still to visit the Old Lady one final time, and Everton right now will believe they can match any opponent in the form they are in.
Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, which will officially begin hosting competitive football this August, opened for a test event on Monday night (17 February) in front of around 10,000 fans as one stand was open, the Toffees’ Under-18s facing Wigan Athletic.
It is beginning to feel very real – but the Gwladys Street faithful are not ready to lock up just yet, and some of the fixtures approaching make for potentially entertaining spectacles to sign off the old place.