Everton's Premier League survival hopes were given a boost of sorts after Tottenham thrashed Arsenal 3-0 in the North London derby on Thursday evening.
Two goals from Harry Kane, including a penalty, gave Spurs a 2-0 half-time lead against the Gunners - who had Rob Holding sent off after just 33 minutes - before Son Heung-min settled the contest just two minutes after the restart. The result moves Antonio Conte's side to within a point of their fourth-placed opponents, with a Champions League place still up for grabs.
The two capital-based sides can have a say in the eventual outcome of events at the other end of the table as the season draws to a close. Tottenham will face the Blues' relegation rivals Burnley on Sunday, with the Clarets desperate to secure a win. But with Champions League qualification in sight, Evertonians will be reassured that Spurs will be going all out for a win.
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Then, on the final day of the season, Arsenal will host Frank Lampard's side at the Etihad in what could be a fixture with huge ramifications at both ends of the table. By virtue of a better goal difference than Leeds United, Everton need four more points to ensure that their top flight status remains intact.
Despite dropping into the bottom three last month, seven points from their last nine has pulled the Blues back into a position of relative safety, with the added comfort of a game in hand on struggling Leeds.
