Everton go into tonight’s Merseyside derby with a significant weight lifted from their shoulders, having beaten Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
A huge three points gained against a relegation rival, they moved five points clear of the bottom three, and kicked up quite the firestorm in the process.
After all, the Tricky Trees were not content to merely let the result lie, and their reaction to a slew of questionable VAR calls has since dominated the media.
Sean Dyche, however, will be absolutely delighted with the manner of the result, regardless of how fortunate they may or may not have been.
After all, they returned to their characteristically solid, stable and secure system after their capitulation at Chelsea, and were roared on by a rampant Goodison Park.
Andy Burnham on Everton fan group The 1878s
Much of the renewed atmosphere over the last few years is owed to one fan group, with The 1878s having been formed in circumstances they would rather have avoided.
However, needs must, and they appeared just when the players really needed them.
Organising meetings, banners and displays in the stands, as well as bus welcomes in the past too, they have at times completely shifted the impetus of some matches in Everton’s favour, during the crunch time of the season.
And now, Mayor of Greater Manchester and staunch Evertonian Andy Burnham has sought to give them their flowers, telling the Liverpool ECHO: ‘Credit to the 1878s, I’ve seen how they’ve built the atmosphere at Goodison. It’s been hard, it’s been really hard at times to lift ourselves and get ourselves going.
‘The atmosphere in the Gwladys Street and looking out into the Park End on Sunday was as good as I’ve ever known it. It was phenomenal, it was fierce, it was brilliant and credit to the 1878s, I do think all Evertonians owe them a debt of thanks.’
Everton fans can push them through vs Liverpool
Well, given the monumental impact the fans have had on the team over the last few years, there is no reason why tonight can be any different.
After all, there is an element of freedom to the clash for the Toffees after that aforementioned win over Forest, which could make them a dangerous prospect for Liverpool.
Mixing this with a volatile atmosphere could unnerve a Reds side that has recently lost ground in the Premier League title race and been dumped out of the Europa League, and this is no invincible side.
Dyche can get at them, and should he get his tactics right whilst also receiving a slice of luck or two, then this home crowd might be set to play host to a historic result.
