Sam Allardyce has been nominated for December’s Premier League Manager of the Month award after a fine start as Everton boss.
Allardyce took charge at Goodison on 30 November and made a quick impact, steering the Blues to an eight-match unbeaten run and, crucially, tightening up a defence that conceded just two goals during that spell.
That included a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the 229th Merseyside derby, home wins over Huddersfield and Swansea, a 1-0 success at Newcastle and a goalless draw with Premier League champions Chelsea.
The form guided the Toffees to ninth in the Premier League table going into Friday’s FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool at Anfield.