NEW BOSS ALLARDYCE MAKES INSTANT IMPACT

Liverpool, Dec. 19: Everton manager Sam Allardyce’s ability to quickly get teams out of relegation trouble is the defining characteristic of his management career but his impact at Goodison Park has been so swift he is already looking at a top- half finish.

Everton’s 3- 1 win over Swansea City on Monday pushed the Merseysiders up to ninth in the Premier League and the worries of a long scrap against the drop already seem a distant memory.

“The target now? Top half but let’s not get carried away,” said former England manager Allardyce.

Everton were in the relegation zone when they sacked Dutchman Ronald Koeman on October 23 following a humiliating 5- 2 loss at home to Arsenal.

The club’s Under- 23 coach David Unsworth then had an extended spell as caretaker manager.

Since formally taking the role, Everton have beaten Huddersfield Town and Newcastle and drawn at Liverpool before Monday’s win.

“To collect 13 out of 15 points is outstanding considering the position where we have come from,” said Allardyce.

“We have scored 11 goals in five games and kept clean sheets. We are a team that comes back from 1- 0 down to win and that shows the character.”

Allardyce, 63, has never had a team of his relegated from the Premier League, despite working with clubs such as Sunderland and Crystal Palace who were in deep trouble when he took over. Olsson’s long range effort just swerving the wrong side of the post.

However, their hopes suffered a blow in time added on as Roquie Mesa felled Aaron Lennon to concede a penalty.

Lukasz Fabianski did superbly to save Rooney’s spot kick but CalvertLewin followed up to rifle the ball home. There was not a lot to choose between the sides for the first 20 minutes of the second period until Sigurdsson came up with his moment of magic.