Everton recorded a third successive Premier League victory last weekend to tighten their grip on seventh place in the table.

Ronald Koeman’s men left it late to see off struggling Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park, with Seamus Coleman’s goal enough to secure the three points for the Toffees.

The win, their third in a row after victories over Manchester City and Southampton, means that they have opened up a four point lead over eighth place West Brom, and they are now only five points adrift of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in sixth.

The hunt for European football is very much on for Koeman’s men after an excellent few weeks, which has seen the Dutchman change the system slightly but reap the rewards for such a decision.

However, some still feel that the Toffees will come up short in their bid to finish in the European places this season, and Koeman may need to strengthen his squad in the last week of the January window to sustain a challenge o the top six.

Thus, here is what their IDEAL XI could look like come the end of the month…

Joel Robles

Koeman seems to be chopping and changing between Joel Robles and Maarten Stekenlenburg, and the former’s recent performances suggest that he will keep the gloves for a while yet.

The 26-year-old moved to Goodison Park to reunite with manager Roberto Martinez having enjoyed a successful time at Wigan, yet he struggled to dispose Tim Howard of the number one jersey.

However, Koeman has given him a chance in the last few weeks, and the Spaniard hasn’t disappointed with four clean sheets in five Premier League games, as well as a fantastic performance in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Robles has proven in recent weeks to be a fine goalkeeper, and you sense that he’ll rightly keep Stekenlenburg out of the side for a while yet.

Ashley Williams

Brought in from Swansea for £12 million this summer, Wales captain Ashley Williams was supposed to be the answer to Everton’s defensive woes.

And, to be fair to the 32-year-old, he’s actually done quite well in an otherwise under-performing Toffees backline.

Williams has started 20 of their 22 Premier League games this season, and has seamlessly adapted to Koeman’s implementation of a back three in recent weeks, which isn’t too surprising given that Wales utilised that system to great effect at the European Championships last year.

Clearly, the 32-year-old is a very accomplished defender at this level, just look at how much Swansea have missed him since he left, and his increasingly good performances suggests that he’s settling into his role as senior defender in that Everton backline.

Virgil van Dijk

Koeman’s former side Southampton could see star defender Virgil van Dijk leave the club this summer, and it could be Everton where he ends up.

The Dutch international has been superb for the Saints this season, and has arguably been the best defender in the Premier League this term.

Unsurprisingly, his excellent displays at the back have attracted interest from some of England’s top clubs, and Everton themselves have been linked with the 25-year-old.

Saints have just lost Jose Fonte to West Ham so they need to keep hold of van Dijk, yet if Everton are serious about getting back into Europe, they need to pay the money required to bring the Dutchman to Goodison Park.

Mason Holgate

An impressive young defender who is improving game after game, Mason Holgate looks set for a sustained run in the Everton first team.

The 19-year-old has been on the peripheries of the first team all season, and actually played the Toffees’ first few Premier League games of the campaign, but it has been in the last five weeks where he has really come into his own.

Koeman recalled him for the trip to Leicester on Boxing Day, and the England Under-21 international put in a fine performance to help his side to a 2-0 win, earning him subsequent league starts against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Holgate deserved his place in the side, and more impressive displays will see him consistently start in the first team for a while yet.

Seamus Coleman

Seamus Coleman has always been a solid defender, but since Koeman switched to a back three, the Republic of Ireland international has come into his own.

The 28-year-old got a deserved assist in the win over Manchester City ten days ago, before netting the all-important winner against Crystal Palace last weekend to help the Toffees record a third straight league win.

But it’s not just his attacking qualities that have shone through, Coleman is consistently solid at the back, and his energy and tenacity sees him get up and down the flanks repeatedly throughout the game.

He has been an excellent player for a while, but could the new wing-back role make him even better in the future?

Morgan Schneiderlin

Everton’s newest recruit Morgan Schneiderlin had an excellent time at Southampton a few years back and, although things didn’t quite work out at Manchester United, he’s still a top player who deserve regular first team football.

The 27-year-old made just three starts for Jose Mourinho’s side this season, despite being a key member of Louis van Gaal’s team last time out, so it made sense to move on to Everton, who clearly see him as a long-term replacement for Gareth Barry, who turns 36 next month.

And they’d be right to think that, as the French international is comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle, while also has a good eye for a pass and reads the game very well.

He has yet to make a league start for Everton since arriving earlier this month, but it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a regular in Koeman’s side.

Idrissa Gueye

Midfielder Idrissa Gueye is currently away on African Cup of Nations duty with Senegal and, given that they have qualified for the last eight, he won’t be returning to Everton any time soon.

However, when he does return to the set-up, he’ll be pushing for a starting role, having started all 19 of the Toffees’ Premier League games prior to joining up with the Senegal squad at the start of month.

The 27-year-old was second only to Leicester’s N’Golo Kante in terms of interceptions made and tackles made in last season’s top-flight, while this term he has usurped the Frenchman at the top of the tackles made list.

Gueye’s influence in the Everton midfield cannot be understated, no Toffee has made more successful passes, interceptions, and tackles than he has, so he’s almost certain to be in Koeman’s strongest eleven when he returns from international duty.

Leighton Baines

Like Coleman, Leighton Baines has also had a few good weeks in the wing-back role.

The England international, who hasn’t played for his country in nearly three years, got an assist in the 2-2 draw with Hull on December 30, before scoring from the penalty spot in the 3-0 win over Southampton a few days later.

The 32-year-old has been struggling with an injury in recent weeks, but still put in a decent display against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Although he’s not as quick as Coleman, Baines’ reading of the game and positional awareness is suited to the wing-back role, and you’d expect to see him there for many games to come.

Ross Barkley

The system Koeman has utilised in recent weeks could be the one that finally gets the best out of Ross Barkley.

Greater central midfield cover means that the England international, who hasn’t made a Three Lions squad since the European Championships last summer, has less responsibility defensively, and that has led to an upturn in form over the last few games.

The 23-year-old bagged his fourth goal of the campaign away at Hull on December 30, before bagging two assists in their 4-0 thumping of Manchester City ten days ago.

Add in a fine display at Crystal Palace last weekend, and Barkley may finally live up to his undoubted potential over the coming months.

Kasper Dolberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n21WYAsYlnU&t=1s

Gerard Deulofeu’s departure to AC Milan may tempt Koeman into looking for another forward-thinking player over the next few days.

And one man he has reportedly been keeping tabs on is Ajax’s Kasper Dolberg, who at the age of 19 has made a big impression in the Eredivisie.

The Dane, who made his senior debut last November, has scored 11 goals in 28 games for the Dutch giants this season, his first full campaign at the club.

Eight of those have come in the league and, although he hasn’t scored since November, he is one of the hottest properties in Europe.

Unsurprisingly, many top clubs have been linked with the youngster, and Everton are one of those reported to be interested.

It’s a deal that would be great for the club in both the present, and indeed the long-term.

Romelu Lukaku

Everton remain heavily reliant on the goals of Romelu Lukaku, yet he hasn’t been overwhelmed by the burden of expectation this season.

The Belgian international has scored 12 goals in 21 Premier League appearances this term, and has also laid on four assists to prove that he is more than just a goal-hungry striker.

The 23-year-old has netted four goals in his last six matches and, although he didn’t find the net against Crystal Palace, his link-up play with Barkley and Kevin Mirallas was promising, and he did a good job for the team.

Keeping him over the next few days will be key if Everton want to challenge for the European spots come May.