Eight days. Three games. Three wins.
It was just what the doctor ordered for Everton, who — on the back of those meek displays against Chelsea and Arsenal, and amid the Jack Grealish fiasco — were risking a drop-off.
Yet, over the past week and a bit, David Moyes’s side have proved they have mettle and a dash of quality to go with it.
And it’s all to do with turnarounds.
There is the wider turnaround, that Everton have gone from potentially dropping down the table and out of the League Cup, and instead are now going to go into the international break entrenched in the top half of the Premier League and with a quarter-final against favourable opposition to look forward to.
Then, there is Friday’s turnaround against Coventry City itself. Everton did not play well for the best part of an hour. Grealish’s absence was felt in the first half, when there was a lack of craft and composure on the ball, but really, the Toffees just played without the intensity they need to if they are to put teams aside.
Everton don’t have the quality to play slow, so when Coventry deservedly went ahead, it served as a wake-up call.
Then, there is the turnarounds for key players, who have stepped up to the mark in the past three games.
James Garner looks much more like last year’s Player of the Season than he did at the start of the campaign. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is providing the point of difference as the link between midfield and attack. Jordan Pickford has regained some composure, even if his distribution has still been questionable at times.
And then there’s perhaps the biggest turnaround of them all.
Thierno Barry, much maligned. At one point earlier this year, it really felt as though he could be leaving Everton if a decent offer came in. But he came back in pre-season looking sharp, and started the season well.
However, Everton were clearly in the market for a first-choice forward with Folarin Balogun. Barry said he would take the responsibility on his shoulders when the move for the United States international broke down, but his performances continued to be erratic and he has continued to miss big chances.
But, game after game, the goals have also come, despite those missed opportunities.
On Friday, he provided the clinical touch he has been missing at times; two chances, two goals. One fantastic, towering header, and one big slice of luck.
To cap it off, Barry gets an assist to his name too. He now has 13 goal involvements to his name across all competitions this season.
Everton needed a positive week, and they’ve had it. It was a week that may not define the season, but did feel like it would set the tone for what is to come as we head into the winter and the more hectic schedule, especially with such a small squad.
Now, Everton will come back from the international break for that trip to Brentford full of positivity, and looking up instead of down.
It’s been a great turnaround, so let’s enjoy it, and then let’s build on it.