It feels crazy to think that this season, in which Everton would have been within touching distance of European spots if not for their points deduction, was the same one that saw them fail to win their opening five league matches.
Many fans had expected that this would be another campaign wrought with pain and struggles, with every reason to believe that after those matches.
Remarkably, there were many even calling for the head of Sean Dyche, as the apparent architect of this slow start.
However, he attested that the results would come, and come they have. The Toffees have now won nine of their last 13 in all competitions, having just beaten Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Chelsea all in the space of just eight days.
Unsurprisingly, at the heart of each of those results, and any successes earned this season, was Abdoulaye Doucoure.
His opener proved vital on Sunday, with the Mali international now earning praise from journalist Joe Thomas, writing for the Liverpool ECHO: ‘Sean Dyche has already dubbed Abdoulaye Doucoure as “Johnny on the Spot” for this Everton side and it’s a tag that also used to be deployed for Goodison Park fan favourite Tim Cahill.
‘As much as Cahill was adored by Evertonians and truly earned his place as a modern day icon, nobody could ever claim that he was anything close to being the most polished performer the club has ever had when it came to either passing or tackling but his incredible knack of scoring goals ensured he was an invaluable element of the team for eight years.
‘For Doucoure that’s now 11 goals in his last 26 Premier League goals and he’s not even playing up front.’
How good has Abdoulaye Doucoure been under Sean Dyche at Everton?
Of all the players to have enjoyed this new leadership the most, Doucoure surely ranks highest.
Especially considering he was ready to depart the club under Frank Lampard, having been inexplicably frozen out.
The £130k-per-week maestro has been a key cog in this Everton resurgence, having taken the five Premier League goals he notched last season and built upon them this term.
Already he has six this campaign, with Thomas outlining just how impressive that is for a player starring in the shadows of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, he boasts importance to the team far beyond just his goalscoring, with the official Everton website even noting: ‘In many ways, Doucoure, with his total commitment, relentless running and ability to execute important action in high-pressure situations, personifies the impressive wider improvements made under Dyche.’
Doucoure is a tough-tackling enforcer and a front-foot poacher, all rolled into one fine physical specimen.
Should he maintain his current form, there is every chance he might leave a legacy comparable to Cahill’s upon his eventual Merseyside departure.
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