Everton have finally confirmed Ronald Koeman’s successor more than a month after his sacking with Sam Allardyce taking charge.

The former England manager has taken charge on a deal, initially until 2019 – although there is an option to extend.

Allardyce was in the stands to see their emphatic win over West Ham and his first game in charge will be Huddersfield at home at the weekend.

“I’ve always thought Everton was a great club. It is a great club. Obviously, the club has gone through a difficult spell and hopefully I can put that behind us as quickly as possible and start looking upwards again,” said Allardyce.

“Because, ultimately, it’s the ambition of the club, the ambition of the owner and the board, allied to the fact that it’s Everton and all the fantastic history, which have proved to be key for me.

“I think that whatever’s happened before we’ve just got to all rally around together. Our will to do it all together would be my way forward.

“Because we are all in it together and let’s all pull in the same direction. Let’s try to get a healthy spirit around the club. That’s difficult when you’re losing but the win last night over West Ham and the magnificent atmosphere around Goodison, which was just brilliant, well that’s lifted everybody around the club.”

With his record of avoiding relegation with a host of clubs in the top-flight, and having saved the likes of Crystal Palace and Sunderland in recent years – Bookmakers do not see Everton getting dragged into trouble.

BetVictor have already eased the Toffees to 12/1 from 6/1 to be relegated and their Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt filled us in the market.

“After a convincing 4-0 thrashing of West Ham on Wednesday evening, Everton have moved five points clear of the drop zone,” he said.

“The Mersey Men have eased considerably to 12/1 from 6/1 to be relegated and punters have started looking at more positive outcomes for the Toffees.

“A top half finish has been supported into 11/8 from 2/1 whilst despite been ten points adrift of sixth placed Burnley, the blue half of Liverpool are now 100-1 from 200-1 to finish in the top six.

“Our intriguing betting without the big six market has also seen Everton shorten and they are now 12/1 from 16/1 as optimism and positivity seem to be once again engulfing Goodison Park.”