With United and Tottenam's crisis, Arsenal and Liverpool's unexpected form and City's inconsistent but brilliant form everyone seems to have forgotten about Everton.

Everton are currently 5th, four points off league leaders Arsenal.

And as we all know, this Premier League season is arguably the most competitive so far, as there are seven teams in contention for a top 4 finish: -Arsenal - Liverpool - Chelsea - Manchester City - Everton - Manchester United -Tottenham.

Whereas this time last season, after 16 games, first and fourth were separated by 13 points! Such a huge gap. Adding more evidence that this will be the most entertaining season so far!

However, Everton's current streak of good form may be due to their three on loan players: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona) and Gareth Barry (Manchester City). Together, these three players play a huge role in Everton's starting eleven.

Romelu Lukaku: Apps - 13, G - 8, A - 4

Gareth Barry: Apps - 13, G - 1, A - 3

Gerard Deulofeu: Apps - 14, G - 3, A - 3

App = Appearances, G = Goals, A = Assists

Meaning that without these three players, Everton would have around 12 less goals and 10 less assists. Bringing their GD to +15.

Although, not all their success can be brought down to these three players. Much of their success is thanks to newly appointed manager Roberto Martinez, who has done an outstanding job.

Thoughts?

They've had a surprisingly great season and I hope it keeps going for them, but the chances are low. While Everton's first team is great, they don't have depth in the subs or reserve. If one of their important players are injured they could easily fall down.

Props to Martinez.

Thanks to the loan players.

Super loan signings by Martinez though. Fantastic manager.

Martinez stated that Deolofeu's contract allows for an extension of the loan by another year if Barca agrees, which they probably will. Barry is out of contract at the end of the year, so they'll most probably sign him up. He only needs to get rid of Jelavic and sign a good striker permanently and that should hold him in good stead.

@ GunnerAFC yes i agree Martinez has made immense loan signings such as Lukaku, Barry, Deulofeu but how will Everton cope after these star players will leave after the end of the season thats the problem. They will really struggle because they wont have the exact players unless martinez buys them next Summer. That will leave a big hole to fill...

Yeah, that's what I was subtlety getting at in my first post. How will he cope without the loan players? Fred has explained it pretty well.

Deulofeu is injured, out for up to eight weeks. They will not count on him until next year, but I still think they will do well, because they have easy games when he's out. I'm surprised that nobody mentioned Ross Barkley, who has been excellent for Everton this season.

Barkley is such a good player.

In my feeling. Everton FC is good. The only thing I am more tangled is his emblem. Or replaced. Do I buy football shirts are a headache in http://www.wysjg.com/everton-c-1_89/ .

The gamble with these loan players is that they might help Everton, on a budget, get to the promised land. It doesn't matter if they have to give Lukaku back, or Deulofeu back, if they manage to get, say, a Top 4 slot. The lure of CL football would then be enough to help them buy better long-term striking options, etc.

I wish Tottenham had gone for Deulofeu, for instance, for that very reason.

There's so much talent in this team, Coleman, Baines, Mirallas, Barkley, Lukaku, and more. It's a really serious team this season, but as V said, if some players are injured, it'd be complicated for them, and I really hope it won't happen, because I like to watch them playing like that actually.