article_snippet: The spectre of a relegation battle has been tormenting Everton during what has been a wretched 2015 but here was a scoreline and a performance to ease tensions.
article_snippet: Big efforts on a Thursday night have tended to zap Everton on a Sunday and a return of eight points from a possible 24 immediately after Europa League games has shown what kind of impact progress in that competition has had domestically.
article_snippet: The return of Darron Gibson, Leon Osman and Aaron Lennon, especially, made Everton a much more vibrant proposition.
article_snippet: but Everton were not complaining.
article_snippet: Everton was, incredibly,
article_snippet: but Everton could not have come at a better time, as the relief around Goodison was almost tangible.
highlights_snippet: Everton were just three points above the relegation zone at the start of play after Burnley's win on Saturday .
  