Southall: Jelavic The Key

Legend says Croat can fire Blues into Europe.

Neville Southall has tipped Nikica Jelavic to build on his impressive start to life at Everton and fire the Blues into Europe this season.

The former Rangers striker made an immediate impact following his January move from Ibrox and ended last term with 11 goals from just 16 appearances.

The 27-year-old bagged his first goal of the current campaign in last month's 3-1 victory at Aston Villa and kept up his hot streak with his country's winner against Macedonia on Friday.

Southall has been particularly impressed with how the 6ft 2ins poacher makes the most of even the slimmest of chances and says such a weapon could ultimately bring Champions League football back to Goodison Park.

Nikica Jelavic is congratulated on his goal at Aston Villa last month
 
"I think they [Everton] have got a chance of finishing fourth," said the legendary stopper. "I think Spurs will struggle and they will take time to settle under Andre Villas-Boas. I don't think Arsenal are going to finish in the top four, Liverpool will also take a while and then you're just looking at Newcastle.

"Everton have got a good keeper, they're decent at the back, they're good in midfield and they can now score goals thanks to Jelavic.

"He's the big difference for me and he's similar to [Ian] Rush in that if you give him half a chance, he'll score. He will add 12 points on to Everton’s total this season."