Everton backed to secure Champions League qualification

A club legend believes the lack of depth in the squad is the only thing that could hold Everton back from achieving a top-four finish.

Everton are enjoying a sublime start to the Premier League season, having picked up 13 points from a possible 18.

Sunday night’s defeat was the first of its kind this season for the Toffees, who have had tough fixtures against Tottenham, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Liverpool.

Despite the 2-0 loss against Southampton, they retain their place at the top of the table, level on points with Liverpool but benefiting from a better goal difference.

While it would be unfair to expect them to maintain their position atop the table until later in the campaign, a finish inside the top four would not be too much to ask for with Carlo Ancelotti’s side looking full of purpose.

“The top four is doable. It will be difficult because there are seven or eight teams competing for those spots and some big clubs will have to miss out but top four has to be the target, given Everton’s start,” Wayne Rooney wrote in his column for The Times.

“If they can get to January still in the frame and let Ancelotti bring in another couple of players, they will have a great chance.

“Their biggest issue is squad depth.”