Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks has backed Everton to at least finish in the top six this season following James Rodriguez's debut performance for the Blues.
After signing from Real Madrid earlier this month, the Colombian shone as Carlo Ancelotti' s side opened the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Spurs on Sunday thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin 's stunning header.
Crooks named both players in his BBC Sport Team of the Week as a result and while he fears for his former club Tottenham, he believes the signing of Rodriguez has already ensured Everton won't be consigned to mid-table mediocrity this season.
And the pundit also made a big prediction about Calvert-Lewin following his match-winning performance when explaining why the duo made his team.
"When I heard that Carlo Ancelotti had lured James Rodriguez to Goodison Park, it was clear Everton's days of mediocrity were over," Crooks wrote.
"The Colombia international looked extremely comfortable in a new-look midfield that outclassed Spurs.
"With Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure alongside Rodriguez, the Toffees seem very capable of at least a top-six finish.
"In contrast, Tottenham's signings seem less inspiring. Worrying times for Spurs."
He continued: "The header by Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Tottenham was worthy of winning any match.
"In fact it was so good, that any further consideration to include Jamie Vardy or Callum Wilson in my team of the week was suddenly out of the question.
"Under Carlo Ancelotti, this lad is getting better with every game. It could be a defining season for the young Evertonian. He has all the elements to make a top-class striker.
"If he can stay fit, which invariably means looking after himself, he can be whatever he wants."
