The race no-one wants to win - are Everton serious top-five contenders?
They are enjoying a resurgence under Michael Carrick and remain in a strong position in terms of Champions League qualification, but victory in Friday's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth would have closed the gap to Manchester City to four points before the international break. Aston Villa have the longest winning run of all the top-flight teams this season, winning eight in a row between November and December. Their results have fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with Unai Emery's side losing three successive matches as their grip on third place loosened.
Defending champions Liverpool have lost 10 Premier League games in a season for the first time since 2015-16 and defeat by Brighton meant Arne Slot's side missed out on the chance to leapfrog Villa into fourth. "There is always pressure at Liverpool , on me and the players," Slot said after the game. "That is completely normal.
"We need to make sure that in the end we qualify for the Champions League. " Everton have competed sporadically in Europe throughout the 21st century, most recently in 2017-18 when they featured in the Europa League. They have not featured in the Champions League proper since 1970-71, when it was known as the European Cup.
But eighth in the Premier League, just three points off the top five with seven league games to go, the Toffees are in serious contention to not only compete in Europe but perhaps even reach the continent's top competition. Manager David Moyes was keen not to get carried away with the idea of Champions League football at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but did not shy away from what being in Europe would mean to the club. "I'd love to say it was [a possibility] as I'm trying to be more positive than I would normally be, but for Everton to even be in the mix for Europe is unbelievable, whether it is Conference League or Champions League," Moyes said.
"We were sitting here last year just beginning to edge ourselves away from relegation and still had lots of money to pay off, new ownership and 10 or 12 players out of contract - so for us to be in the position we are now is just great. "I can imagine, if we could possibly do it, what it would do for the crowds here as Evertonians are desperate to get back amongst it. " Champions League football might have seemed like a far-away dream for a club who have spent more time trying to avoid relegation in recent seasons, but under Moyes they have enjoyed a resurgence that has almost made that dream a reality.