Everton are hoping to overcome this season’s surprise package Nottingham Forest in their final fixture of 2024. But Blues boss Sean Dyche is happy to credit his own side’s recent upturn in form to the efforts of others.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men currently occupy fourth position and the last Champions League qualification spot after securing more wins and points so far this term than they picked up in the whole of the previous campaign when they finished just one place above the relegation places.

While Everton’s ambitions are more limited and staying in the division remains the immediate priority as they prepare to go into their final year at Goodison Park before moving to their new 52,888 capacity stadium on the Mersey waterfront, their daunting-looking December fixture list hasn’t proven as disastrous as many doom mongers predicted.

The month started with a 4-0 thrashing at Manchester United but since then, the Blues defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers by the same scoreline and after the Merseyside Derby was postponed because of Storm Darragh, they have secured a hat-trick of creditable draws against high-flying Arsenal and Chelsea and, most recently, defending champions Manchester City on Boxing Day.

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Such relatively positive results have eased the pressure on Dyche with new owners, The Friedkin Group, having completed their takeover of the club.

But the 53-year-old believes his squad deserve to be praised for their improvements. He said: “It’s down to the players. Players, without a doubt.

“Myself, the staff, the analysis team, we play our part, but it’s players’ delivery. I’ve massive respect for players and when they’re delivering it as they are doing with the willingness and the desire to work as a team, it’s a powerful thing.

“I think we’re showing that but it’s one game at a time and I’ve always believed in that mentality and it’s nice when you’ve got an underbelly of desire from a group of players who want to make a difference.

“I think we’ve slowly but surely built to that moment and now it’s taking the next games on and trying to turn draws into wins, but if you can’t, then still not getting beat and staying true to that mentality.”