Everton recorded a fifth Premier League win in seven matches last weekend by beating struggling Bournemouth 6-3 in a thrilling contest at Goodison Park.

Ronald Koeman’s side have improved drastically since their frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to Merseyside rivals Liverpool on December 19, picking up 17 points out of a possible 21 through beating the likes of Leicester, Southampton, and Manchester City.

It means that the Toffees are now just five points behind Manchester United in sixth, but more importantly they are now only seven points behind Arsenal in fourth, so a European spot is a genuine possibility for Koeman’s side this term.

Everton go to struggling Middlesbrough on Saturday hoping to keep up their good form, and indeed keep the pressure on the sides above them in the race for the European spots.

Koeman’s men have been excellent in recent weeks, so here are THREE reasons why they will clinch a European spot this season…

Excellent recent form

Despite an indifferent first half of the season, Everton have been one of the form teams in the division over the last few months.

Since their frustrating 1-0 defeat to Merseyside rivals Liverpool on December 19, Koeman’s men have won five of their seven Premier League matches, with successes over Leicester, Southampton, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth intertwined with a stunning 4-0 victory over Manchester City on January 15.

Draws with Hull and Stoke did somewhat stem their momentum, but they have shown in the last seven games that they are capable of mixing it with the top sides, which will give the Everton faithful much satisfaction after a tricky 2016.

They are only five points behind Man United in sixth, and they’ve proven to be capable of going on a long unbeaten run, so who’s to say that they can’t finish in the European spots come May.

Front players beginning to click

In Romelu Lukaku, Everton have a striker capable of netting 20-plus goals a season, and one that on his day can be unplayable.

The Belgian international netted four in their 6-3 victory over Bournemouth last time out, which took him to the top of the Premier League goal-scoring charts ahead of Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, it’s also the link-up play between himself, Ross Barkley, Ademola Lookman, and Kevin Mirallas which is a great sign for Everton fans, with England international Barkley beginning to contribute more regularly, while both Lookman and Mirallas netted against Man City last month.

There is genuine excitement around Goodison Park at the moment, and with the front players beginning to click and becoming a lethal attacking unit, there’s plenty more wins to follow for Koeman’s men this term.

Defensively improving

One of the features of Everton’s first half of the season was their defensive deficiencies, with it too frequent that teams could easily break them down or find time and space in the Toffees’ penalty area.

However, excluding the freak 6-3 win against Bournemouth, Koeman’s men have been much-improved at the back in recent weeks, keeping four clean sheets in seven games, and generally just becoming more solid and difficult to beat.

Koeman tweaked the system slightly last month to incorporate a back three, which has seen Seamus Coleman flourish as a wing-back, and youngster Mason Holgate become a regular first teamer alongside the experienced Ashley Williams.

If they can continue to defend like they have been, Bournemouth aside, and then produce the same level of attacking intensity, Everton will be very tough to beat this term, and could indeed go on a run to get themselves into the European places come May.