This season’s Midwinter Break must come as something of a relief to 19 of the 20 teams in the Premier League, with only Liverpool surely able to be totally happy with their season so far. But as we find out, there are actually a couple of other teams who can look at their year as one to be proud of as they battle towards possible European football.

Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace

When Carlo Ancelotti took over at Goodison Park, The Toffees were looking more at threat of relegation than they were qualifying for Europe. However, after this weekend’s results, they sit 7th in the table, and just five points behind the Champions League places, thanks to another good win to please the Gladwys Street faithful.

The latest victory, their sixth in succession at home and fifth in all competitions, came at the expense of a Crystal Palace side with which the Evertonians share a special kind of history.