Everton recorded a third consecutive Premier League on Saturday courtesy of a 1-0 success at struggling Crystal Palace.

The game looked to be heading towards a stalemate before Toffees wing-back Seamus Coleman fired home from close range three minutes from time, condemning Sam Allardyce’s Eagles to a fourth straight defeat, while tightening Everton’s grip on seventh place in the table.

The victory, a tenth of the campaign for Ronald Koeman’s men, means that they remain four points clear of West Brom in eighth, while they have also reduced the gap between themselves and sixth place Manchester United to just five points after the Red Devils drew at Stoke.

It is at Stoke where Everton resume their Premier League campaign next Wednesday, and both sides will be fresh for the game at the bet365 Stadium, given that they have the weekend off after both losing in the third round of the FA Cup.

The Toffees’ fine run of form has led many to wonder what Koeman’s men could go on to achieve this season, yet some still feel that they are short in certain areas to sustain a challenge on the top six, and that Koeman needs to strengthen his squad in the final week of the winter transfer window.

Thus, here is what their IDEAL XI could look like come February…

Joel Robles

Joel Robles has had to bide his time for first team action at Everton, but the past few weeks suggest that he’s not going to relinquish that starting berth any time soon.

The Spaniard was brought into the starting line-up ahead of the 2-0 win at Leicester on Boxing Day, and has since then kept three more clean sheets in four league games, including in the 1-0 success over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Robles was excellent between the sticks for the Toffees at Selhurst Park – his confidence is growing, and he looks set to remain Everton’s number one for the rest of the campaign.

Virgil van Dijk

Although Everton have been much better defensively in recent weeks, Koeman may still feel that he needs to bolster his options at the back.

Thus, he could follow up his reported interest in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk in the next few days.

The Dutch international has been excellent for the Saints this season, and has probably been the best centre-back in the Premier League thus far.

The 25-year-old is certainly going to cost a lot, especially now Jose Fonte has left St Mary’s and Southampton really need to keep him, yet he’d be a brilliant addition to the Everton squad, and one that could get them closer to the European places.

Morgan Schneiderlin

Everton confirmed the signing of Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin last week, and it’s a good move for everyone involved.

The French international struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho this term, making just three starts in all competitions, yet Toffees fans will be hoping that he replicates the form that earned him a move to Old Trafford during his time at Southampton.

With Gareth Barry 36 next month, Idrissa Gueye on African Cup of Nations duty, and Tom Cleverley out on loan at Watford for the season, Schneiderlin will get plenty of football at Goodison Park, and will likely become an integral member of the side over the coming months.

Romelu Lukaku

Even during the difficult times that Everton endured earlier in the season, striker Romelu Lukaku was still scoring goals.

The Belgian international has netted 12 times in 21 Premier League appearances for the Toffees, which means that he’s in competition with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the top of the goal-scorers list.

Lukaku is heavily relied upon by Everton, but he rarely looks under that pressure, and even when he didn’t get on the scoresheet against Crystal Palace, he still did well for the team, and linked up well with Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley in the final third.

Although it’s unlikely that anyone will come in for him between now and Tuesday, it’s imperative that Everton keep hold of their prized asset if they are to challenge the top six in the second half of the season.