Everton suffered late disappointment on Monday night as they conceded four minutes from time to lose the Merseyside derby 1-0 at home to Liverpool.

Ronald Koeman’s side had battled admirably and looked set to hold out for a point, but the Reds’ attacking endeavour eventually took its toll, with Sadio Mane reacting quickest to poke home the rebound to Daniel Sturridge’s effort.

Consequently, the Toffees will spend Christmas in ninth after a sixth defeat of the season, and a third in their last five Premier League matches.

This was all after a start which had Koeman’s men second in the table on September 17, after they won four and drew the other of their opening five league games, but have since then taken just ten points from a possible 36, which has seen them fall 11 points behind Arsenal in fourth and ten behind Tottenham in fifth.

Nonetheless, their win over the Gunners last week and their battling effort against Liverpool may give some Toffees fans hope going into the second half of the campaign, and they’ll look to get back to winning ways when they travel to champions Leicester on Boxing Day.

In what has been an indifferent first half of the season at Goodison Park, we thought we’d take a look back at Everton’s season, and evaluate those players that have done well and those that haven’t so far.

Thus, here are the players that are on the naughty and nice list this Christmas…

NICE – Romelu Lukaku

Everton’s form has been indifferent this season, with some great results mixed in with some poor ones, but they always carry a threat whenever Romelu Lukaku is on the pitch.

The Belgian international has scored nine Premier League goals this season, which is three times as many as the next best Seamus Coleman.

And, when the Toffees have only netted 21 goals in the league so far, their reliance on Lukaku must be of concern to Koeman.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old has once again proved to be one of the best forwards in the Premier League this season, and will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.

NAUGHTY – Ross Barkley

It just hasn’t quite clicked for Everton’s Ross Barkley this season.

The England international started the season with a goal against Tottenham and an assist against West Brom in the succeeding game, but since then he has registered just one more goal and one more assist from 14 appearances.

And, for a player whose quality we have all seen before, that is simply not good enough.

Barkley didn’t have a great Merseyside derby on Monday, and was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch for a horrendous tackle on Jordan Henderson.

It was perhaps another indication that he isn’t quite where many expected him to be.

Koeman has challenged him to improve, and he did well against Arsenal last week, but there needs to be more consistency in his game.

At the moment though, that’s not there.

NICE – Idrissa Gueye

Signed from Aston Villa in the summer, midfielder Idrissa Gueye has been the heartbeat of the Everton midfield so far this season.

The Senegalese international was second to Leicester’s N’Golo Kante last season in terms of tackles made and interceptions, but this season he has got ahead of the now-Chelsea man, and he seems to be improving with every game he plays.

Gueye does have the odd off game, where he’s not quite as strong and authoritative as usual, but he’s an integral part of the Everton midfield under Koeman, especially alongside the older Gareth Barry.

They’ll certainly miss him when he goes to the African Cup of Nations next month.

NAUGHTY – Phil Jagielka

Centre-back Phil Jagielka has recently lost his place to Ramiro Funes Mori at the heart of the Everton defence, but it was a decision Koeman quite simply had to make.

The England defender has struggled at times this season with the demands of the division and, at the age of 34, it’s probably not going to get any easier.

Jagielka was poor against Swansea and seriously struggled last week against Arsenal, eventually resulting in a red card late on.

With Ashley Williams the number one centre-back and Funes Mori deputising well, this could be the beginning of the end for Jagielka.

NICE – Gareth Barry

Yannick Bolasie had done well prior to his season-ending injury against Manchester United, but Gareth Barry has helped make Everton tick this season.

The 35-year-old moved up to second in all time Premier League appearances list on Monday when he replaced James McCarthy at half time against Liverpool, although he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.

Nonetheless, Barry has been the calming influence and controlling figure in the midfield for much of the season, and committed his future to the club the other week by signing a new one-year deal at Goodison Park.

The former England international is just as important for Everton now as he was when he first moved on loan there in 2013, and he’ll continue to do so for the rest of his time on Merseyside.