Everton picked up a much-needed 2-1 win over Arsenal on Tuesday night to end a run of five games without a win in the Premier League.

Ronald Koeman’s side have been criticised often in recent weeks due to their poor run of form, and that looked set to continue when Alexis Sanchez fired home a free-kick after just 20 minutes.

However, the Toffees grew into the game and deservedly equalised just before half time through Seamus Coleman, and they then found a winner four minutes from the end when Ashley Williams headed home Ross Barkley’s out-swinging corner.

It was a massive result for Koeman and his side, who had prior to that win won just once in their ten league games, and found themselves on the verge of dropping into the bottom half.

However, they are now up to seventh and just a point behind Manchester United in sixth, who are a further three behind Tottenham in fifth.

Although it was a great win over the Gunners, it doesn’t detract from a frustrating run of form for Everton, who picked up just seven points from a possible 30 prior to beating Arsenal.

Nonetheless, that result could potentially define their season and, as Christmas is approaching and we are almost half way through the season, we thought we’d evaluate Everton’s season thus far…

PRO – Second on September 17

Everton made a sensational start to life under Koeman, who replaced the sacked Roberto Martinez in the summer.

The Dutchman won four of his first five games in charge, and drew the other one at home to Tottenham on the opening day.

Thus, those wins over West Brom, Stoke, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough ascending them up to second in the table on September 17, just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Everton were much stronger defensively and carried a lethal attacking threat at the start of the season, and it’s something that we haven’t seen too much of in recent weeks.

Nonetheless, it was a fantastic start to the season for Koeman and his side.

CON – Poor run of form

Even with the Arsenal win included, the last 11 games haven’t been great from Everton.

They have recorded just two wins in that time, both of which were at home, and lost five of the other nine, including their 5-0 mauling at Chelsea.

It’s not just the poor results though, Koeman’s men haven’t performed well in recent months, especially away from home, where they have lost their last four games and haven’t won all season.

The Chelsea battering was hugely disappointing, but their recent defeats at Southampton and Watford saw them lack any sort of urgency or desire – they were really poor performances.

The Arsenal win has somewhat addressed this, but they cannot go another five games without winning and performing like they have been if they want to finish in the top six.

PRO – Everton 2-1 Arsenal

It was potentially a season-defining result for Everton on Tuesday, as they came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at Goodison Park.

The Toffees had won just one of their prior ten games before the meeting with Arsene Wenger’s side, and they looked set to continue their miserable run when Alexis Sanchez put the Gunners ahead.

However, the home side rolled their sleeves up and, with help from the Goodison Park faithful, got back into the match through Seamus Coleman, before winning it late on through Ashley Williams’ header.

The win will do their confidence the world of good and, from looking likely to drop out of the top ten in the league, they are now firmly sat in seventh, just four points behind fifth place Tottenham.

It could be the win that kick-starts their season.

CON – Defensive woes continue

Despite a solid start to the campaign, more defensive errors are slowly creeping into Everton’s game.

Although they have far from the worst defensive record in the Premier League, the Toffees have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league games, compared to two in their first four matches.

There have been question marks over Maarten Stekenlenburg’s ability between the sticks, highlighted by his moment of stupidity against Manchester United, and Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines have at times struggled this season.

It’s certainly an ageing defence, and it doesn’t appear that they are much better, even with Ashley Williams at the heart of it, than they were last season, if at all.

Player of the Season – Romelu Lukaku

Idrissa Gueye has been excellent since arriving from Aston Villa in the summer, but where would Everton be without Romelu Lukaku’s goals this season?

The Belgian international has scored nine and assisted three of their 21 Premier League goals this season, including a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Sunderland back in September.

However, he has also come up with key goals for the Toffees, and netted in their draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester City earlier in the season.

Quite simply, Lukaku is the integral feature in this side as, regardless of how well they are playing, he is able to produce something from nothing.

Keeping hold of him in January, and indeed in the summer, will be a huge success for Everton.