Carlo Ancelotti’s priority upon taking over at Everton just before Christmas was to get the team out of relegation danger in the English Premier League.
Job done.
Now, against all the odds, Ancelotti has a realistic chance to taking Everton into the Champions League, a stage to which he is far more accustomed.
The Ancelotti effect is really kicking in at Goodison Park after Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Saturday to climb to seventh place and within five points of Chelsea, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.
Publicly, at least, Ancelotti has his sights on the Europa League spot currently held by fifth-placed Tottenham, which is just a point ahead of Everton.