Just one win in the Premier League for the entirety of December and January led to a feeling of frustration around Everton, and some supporters losing patience with manager Roberto Martinez.

However, back-to-back victories for the first time this season over Newcastle United and Stoke City has certainly eased the pressure and seen the Toffees move into the top-half of the table.

Back-to-back 3-0 victories must be a moment where Everton finally turn a corner and finally free themselves of their inconsistency, especially after appearing to have learnt lessons and with players high on confidence.

Everton appear to have learnt lessons

On the previous occasion when Everton scored three goals against Stoke City, they let a 3-2 lead slip to a 4-3 defeat in the dying minutes and that setback in December was one of many frustrating matches for supporters this season. The Toffees have lost more points from winning positions than any other side in the top-flight this season.

Their ability to defend an advantage was under the spotlight after Romelu Lukaku sent Jack Butland the wrong way from the spot in the 11th minute, but goals from Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon completed a first-half blitz for the Toffees. There was no late capitulation from Martinez's side this time and their comprehensive victory over Stoke must be a moment where they finally turn a corner and finally rid themselves of their inconsistency.

Everton have often been accused of starting matches too slowly, allowing their opponent into the match, and not being clinical enough in front of goal. However, they scored with all three of their shots on target in the first-half against Stoke, meaning that only Leicester City and Manchester City have scored more than Everton's 46 goals this season.

Everton celebrate one of their goals against Stoke City at the weekend. | Image: Liverpool Echo
Everton celebrate one of their goals against Stoke City at the weekend. | Image: Liverpool Echo

The Toffees did waste chances to extend their winning margin and inflict further humiliation on Stoke in the second-half, but this was an afternoon when they had no need for the cushion of a fourth goal. If Everton are to turn a corner then they need to be more ruthless as they hit the woodwork three times in four second-half minutes against Newcastle United.

It is at the other end of the pitch where the Toffees' biggest problems have been, conceding 34 goals in 25 games. However, another clean sheet would have been particularly pleasing for Everton and Martinez, meaning that Joel Robles has kept three consecutive clean sheets since replacing the injured Tim Howard in goal. Prior to Robles' spell in goal, Everton had kept just six clean sheets in 23 league games this season.

Winning breeds confidence

There is a general consensus that Everton should be doing better than they have been doing this season, especially considering the talent that Martinez has available to him, which includes Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley.

The form of this trio will be crucial to any Everton success, with Barkley particularly inspirational in both victories against Newcastle and Stoke. The 22-year-old scored two penalties against the Magpies to round off a performance Martinez described as "phenomenal" and he produced another terrific performance against Stoke on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson was at the Britannia Stadium and he will have not only been delighted by what he saw from Barkley, but from Tom Cleverley and Lennon too, who certainly gave the England manager something to think about ahead of the spring internationals and this summer's UEFA European Championships.

Cleverley, who joined on a free transfer from Manchester United in the summer, was a model of endeavour and efficiency and had a hand in two of Everton's three goals against Stoke. The midfielder burst through the Potters defence before being brought down for Everton's penalty, while his delivery from corners was a constant threat and led to Coleman's goal.

Lennon, who has not featured for England since 2013, was recalled into the Everton team for their win over Carlisle United in the FA Cup and in the two Premier League games since, he has been their man of the match. His work-rate, pace and trickery made him the stand-out performer and his third goal in as many games wrapped up the points for the Toffees on Saturday.

Aaron Lennon has scored three goals in three games for the first time in his career. | Image: Everton
Aaron Lennon has scored three goals in three games for the first time in his career. | Image: Everton

Everton's display against Stoke was a perfect team performance and if players such as Barkley, Cleverley and Lennon maintain their impressive form it could prove to be the catalyst for the team to turn the corner they desperately need to.

Another factor will be Martinez's team selection. Continuity has served the Blues well lately and it is the reason why Bryan Oviedo has kept his place ahead of Leighton Baines in the starting XI. Everton appear to have turned a corner and Martinez cannot afford to disrupt their momentum by dropping Robles after his three successive clean sheets, even if Howard is fit enough to face West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

Every win that Everton record breathes new belief and confidence into the team and back-to-back victories must be a moment where Everton finally turn a corner.

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About the author
Adam Bailey
Everton editor, who also covers cycling and athletics.