Everton have made one of their best starts in many seasons - winning their first two matches convincingly and now looking towards the Reading game for their next three points. They are also sitting proudly on top of the Premier League table and there is even talk about them breaking into the top four. So is this brash arrogance, or are David Moyes's boys really destined for the big time?

As the saying goes, the ball is round and anything can happen. But there are a three important factors that can either deflate that ball or make it zip around much faster.

How many more players will Everton bring in? Even though Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar are quality performers, the squad is still rather threadbare. To last the distance, Moyes really needs to draft in classy players such as Manuel Fernandes and Yakubu, as well as blood a few more youngsters from the academy to provide that necessary cover.

'To last the distance, Moyes really needs to draft in classy players such as Manuel Fernandes and Yakubu, as well as blood a few more youngsters from the academy to provide that necessary cover'


What will the injury list be like? The influential Tim Cahill and James Vaughan are currently in the treatment room, but more importantly, how long will Goodison talisman Mikel Arteta stay free from injury? Arteta draws physical attention in every game that he plays, so Moyes may have to use him more sparingly to try to keep him injury-free.

Who will continue to score the goals? Of the five Everton have netted so far, only one came from a striker  - Victor Anichebe. The rest were scored by defenders Joleon Lescott and Alan Stubbs, plus two from midfield dynamo Leon Osman.

My view is that if the Toffees bring in good solid players, keep the injuries to a minimum, and continue to contribute goals from  defence and midfield, there will be no stopping them breaking into the top four.