Everton are sitting comfortably in seventh place in the Premier League with just 13 games of the season remaining.

Ronald Koeman, embarking on his first season in charge at Goodison Park after leaving Southampton last summer, will be reasonably satisfied with his side’s efforts this term, especially their recent form which has seen them win five of their last eight league games, drawing the other three.

It means that they find themselves seventh in the table, seven points behind Manchester United in sixth, but four points clear of West Brom in eighth and, with seventh place potentially being a European spot come the end of the campaign, the Toffees will hope to at least finish there come May.

Everton have won 11 of their 25 league games this term, although eight draws has somewhat stunted their progress, as did a run of just one victory in ten between September and December.

Nonetheless, they look set to better last season’s 11th place finish in the Premier League, although there is certinaly room for improvement in some areas between now and May to close the gap to the top six.

Thus, here are THREE things Koeman and his Everton side must improve ahead of the run in…

Away form

With just four wins on the road this season, Koeman’s men could really do with improving their away form between now and May.

The Toffees have beaten West Brom, Sunderland, Leicester, and Crystal Palace away from home this term, but when you consider that the first two of those came in their first two away games of the campaign, it doesn’t do much for their recent form.

It means that Everton have won just two of their last 11 away league games, although they do appear to have got over a blip which saw them lose four in a row between October and December.

Nonetheless, they need to pick up more points away from home between now and the end of the season if they are to get closer to the top six.

Pose challenge to top six

Everton are consolidating their position as ‘best-of-the-rest’ in seventh place, given that they are seven points behind Manchester United in sixth, and four clear of West Brom in eighth.

However, the Toffees have done reasonably well against the top six so far this season, winning two and drawing three of their seven games against them.

Victories over Manchester City and Arsenal suggest that they can mix it with the top sides, while draws at home to United and Tottenham, as well as at City, further demonstrate their capabilities.

And, with still five games to go against sides above them, four of which incidentally are away, it gives Everton a perfect chance to really pose a challenge to the top six, maybe not in terms of this season, but certainly ahead of next year’s campaign.

Find goals alongside Lukaku

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has scored 16 goals and laid on four assists in the Premier League this term, which means that he has been directly involved in half of Everton’s league goals this season.

And, when the next top-scorers are Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman with just four each, it’s clear that they are heavily reliant on the 23-year-old to get them the necessary goals.

However, while Lukaku is able to deal with this pressure and expectation, it’ll be fine for the Toffees, but there may become a time where he doesn’t net for two or three games, and then it’s up to the other attacking players to make a telling contribution.

It was seen against Middlesbrough the other week, where Lukaku had a bit of an off-day, and Everton subsequently failed to net in a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium.

Finding goals alongside Lukaku, especially if he does go through a tricky spell, is imperative for Koeman’s men to keep the pressure on the top six.