There is still a lot to play for in the Premier League, at both ends of the table. However, as the 2016-17 campaign draws to a close, it’s getting towards the time when fans start to reflect on their club’s efforts this season.

For Everton, it has been successful. There is no denying that.

The manager transition has gone smoothly and Ronald Koeman has steered Everton to what looks to be a top seven finish in what has been one of the most competitive Premier League seasons ever.

The players he has brought in have performed well and the team has gelled as a whole. There is an abundance of youthful talent and a depth in positions to accompany it.

However, it hasn’t all be a breeze. Every club has their moments of controversy and hiccups each year and that is the same with The Toffees.

Shoot! looks at What’s Hot and What’s Not from the 2016-17 Premier League season at Goodison Park…

Hot – Romelu Lukaku’s Form

It would be pretty hard to name a player in Everton’s history who had achieved so much for the club by the tender age of 23-years-old.

In each of the past four seasons, the big Belgian has scored over 30 goals for the club and his 24 in the league so far this term puts him as the front-runner in the Premier League Golden Boot competition.

His importance to the side cannot be underestimated. Despite the emergence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in recent weeks, there isn’t enough depth in the striker position at Everton and without Lukaku the side would be in trouble.

He is adored by Toffees fans and rightly so – he is a phenomenal talent who has enjoyed the best season of his life.

Not – Romelu Lukaku’s Form

As great as Lukaku’s form has been for Everton this season, it also brings a negative around. Clearly, no Blue fan in their right mind would lessen the Belgian’s achievements this year, but such incredible performances have attracted interest from bigger clubs around the world.

Lukaku’s ability is of a level high enough to be in the Champions League and clubs in that competition know this.

It is very unlikely the talisman will stay at Everton this summer, especially with him refusing to sign a new contract.

A move away could leave The Toffees in turmoil. As mentioned, there is a shortage of cover in that position and clubs will know that a new striker is needed at Everton, making any potential transfer fees rocket.

Hot – Young Talent

The youth academy at Everton has long been something to be proud of and the scouts have always managed to attract the best young talent.

The likes of John Stones and Ross Barkley have emerged in recent years, but a new crop has graced the Premier League this season.

All of Mason Holgate, Tom Davies and Dominc Calvert-Lewin have broken into the first-team this year and all look convincing.

Davies seems to be the pick of the bunch, adapting to the top-flight effortlessly and driving Everton forward from midfield.

Not – Injuries

Injuries have plagued Everton this season. Even before the start of the campaign fans knew that Muhamed Besic would miss the majority of the campaign, but hoped that would be the only long-term blow for the season.

However, it wasn’t to be. Yannick Bolasie had only been at the club for a number of months when a knew injury in December ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

Then Seamus Coleman broke his leg during international duty in March.

Two of the side’s top stars missed around half the season and then to add insult to injury, January signing Morgan Schneiderlin has been in and out of the side with niggles.

Credit has to be given to the team for carrying on strong despite these layoffs but it has been a frustrating season where injuries are concerned.

Hot – Ronald Koeman

Roberto Martinez’s dismal towards the end of last season was needed. He was given plenty of chances by the board, but failed to make any changes.

The Toffees side did have a lot of potential, but there was also a huge amount of work to be done.

Ronald Koeman’s credentials were impressive and, without doubt, the best for the job.

Nonetheless, Everton fans were nervous how long a transition period would be needed to implement his style of play.

The answer was, not long at all. There are still moments of confusion but the change in manager couldn’t really have gone any better.

Not – The Merseyside Derbies

It’s now been seven years since Everton have won a Merseyside derby and they have lost the last three.

The 1-0 defeat at Goodison in December was embarrassing, a home derby should at least be a draw, and the 3-1 thrashing at Anfield was almost as one-sided as the 4-0 drubbing last year.

There must be improvement next year to finally be competitive against Liverpool again!