Confidence is high as Everton welcome Middlesbrough to Goodison Park on Saturday. Three unanswered goals and a much-improved second half accounted for Sunderland on Monday and has the Blues chasing a fourth successive league win.
At the heart of this strong start are a more concentrated defensive approach and only two goals conceded thus far. Another shutout against their newly promoted opponents would mark a third league clean sheet in a row and fourth in all competitions.
With defensive improvement prominent, the sight of Romelu Lukaku grabbing an 11-minute hat trick at the Stadium of Light is a timely boost in the opposing final third.