Everton have endured a mixed bag of results during March as they bid to safeguard their Premier League future.
New Blues boss Sean Dyche, in his second month in the job, has started to galvanise a squad which underperformed for predecessor Frank Lampard.
Everton kicked off March on the wrong end of a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal - the team Dyche beat in his first game in charge of the Blues.
Dyche's side were twice pegged back from winning positions against Nottingham Forest a week later in a 2-2 draw at the City Ground after a penalty from Demarai Gray and an Abdoulaye Doucoure header.
Back at Goodison on March 11 the Blues earned three valuable points with a crucial 1-0 victory Brentford thanks to Dwight McNeil's goal in the first minute.
Everton showed their resilience with another 2-2 draw against Chelsea a week later. The Blues equalised through Doucoure but looked to be heading for 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge with just a minute of the 90 left.
But substitute Ellis Simms' first Premier League goal earned the Blues a precious point as he fired home from a narrow angle.
We want to know who has been the standout performer for Everton over the course of the month.
Based on these four games, the Echo's writers have whittled the selections to a three-man shortlist and now is your opportunity to have the final say.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Much has changed for Doucoure under Dyche’s reign. Having been frozen out of the team and handed limited to gametime under Lampard, the 30-year-old has been a consistent influence in Everton’s resurgence.
Handed a new role in winning the midfield battle and supporting play in the final third, the Mali international has rewarded Dyche with two goals and two assists in his last four games and set the Toffees on a path to survival.
Dwight McNeil
Since his arrival in the summer, it’s been a slow introduction to Goodison Park for McNeil. Unable to light up Everton’s attacks the way many would have hoped, McNeil is another who has shone under Dyche.
It’s no surprise given where McNeil joined the Toffees from. Having been handed his professional debut by the former Burnley boss and since becoming a key player in the side before his departure in the summer, the old connection has given the 23-year-old renewed confidence to prosper and score his first goal since October.
Seamus Coleman
The 34-year-old captain may be entering the latter stages of his career but he is very much a firm part of the Everton’s boss’ plans to beat the drop. Having only played a full 90 minutes three times under the previous regime, he has already doubled that since Dyche’s arrival and added his first goal since February 2022 to the mix, with an excellent shot from a ridiculous angle against Leeds.
Since joining in 2010, the Everton veteran will certainly be entering one of his toughest seasons in Merseyside and will be central to ensuring confidence and experience keeps the club in the top-flight.
Make your choice from the above list by clicking on the link below and we’ll reveal the results of the Player of the Month vote on April 4.
