Have Everton Returned to Their Rightful Place Among the Premiership Elite?

FanCast columnist Joe Jennings looks at the progress of his beloved Everton and it's clear that David Moyes current side could be on the verge of restoring the toffees back in their rightful place, among the elite of English football.

''The skies the limit with this team playing like this''. Something said by a mate of mine on Wednesday following our Carling Cup victory at West Ham. I chuckled in amusement, sensing excitement in his tone. Maybe he was right. Unbeaten in 12 with confidence sky high this team is on fire, as our performances and results testify. Everybody battling for the shirt, team spirit more evident than ever and an incredible fan base, everything is rosy for the Toffees. Nine away victories, eight home wins have led to an encouraging position of sixth heading into the hectic Christmas period. Carling Cup Semi final, winners of their respected UEFA Cup group and still going strong in the league. Yet the media continue to hype the likes of Blackburn, Aston Villa and Portsmouth. Guess what, Everton are above all of those, seemingly a surprise to many.
 
Yakubu has been a huge factor in the Toffees' recent success.11 goals in 16 appearances, since signing from Middlesbrough in the summer. Many doubted Moyes for splashing £11.25m on the Nigerian but on recent evidence the man is a real snip. A 20-goal a season striker is simply priceless and his performances and goals of late have endeared him to the Goodison faithful. He even has a song that blasts through the stands, ''Feed the Yak and he will score''.
 
The fans are dreaming of Wembley and why not? We can almost taste the £6 pastry pie that awaits if we do get there. There is an excitement within the fans; we can almost sense this club is on the verge of a return to where we believe we belong. We should be aiming for the stars, after all we are the 4th most successful side in England and our ambitions should reflect this.
 
We've gate crashed the top 4 before, who's to say we can't do it again? However this time instead of grinding out results we can do it with fast flowing, exhilarating football. Perhaps I am just oozing with positivity or maybe this resurgence is for real, are Everton back?
 
However much our great run impresses me I still feel a dominant central midfielder is paramount, somebody in the mould of Appiah or Sidwell would be perfect.
 
If being level on points with our neighbours at this stage of this season wasn't progress then what is? Although to be fair they do have games in hand. David Moyes has got us playing good football, pass and move, the art of the School of Science is visible in our displays. We as fans are anticipating games with relish, we fear no-one and rightly so.
 
To hell with the media, who cares if they recognise our accomplishments or not. We know what we are seeing from our side and we will continue to enjoy the wave of optimism and belief surrounding the place. Maybe I'm dreaming, if I am, please don't wake me up. The fans believe, the players and management believe, Everton are back.
 
After all the skies the limit with this Everton side.