Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern were hugely encouraged by their side’s efforts in defeat to Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, which was David Unsworth’s first game in temporary charge following the sacking of manager Ronald Koeman.

The Dutchman was relieved of his duties on Monday after overseeing just two wins from their opening nine Premier League games, a run which saw them fall into the bottom three following a 5-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. And alongside a woeful start to their Europa League group stage campaign, in which they have picked up just one point from their opening three games, the writing was certainly on the wall for the former Southampton boss, and so it proved with his sacking confirmed by the club at the start of the week.

And former defender Unsworth, who played over 300 times for the club in two spells between 1992 and 1997 and then between 1998 and 2004, led the side to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and seemed to get a response from the players despite going down 2-1 to the Premier League champions.

There were certainly positives to take from the encounter despite the fact it ended their participation in the competition, and as such the 44-year-old will look to build on those when his side host Leicester City in a vital Premier League clash on Sunday.

Obviously, Koeman’s departure has brought about much speculation about who could take over at Goodison Park, but here are THREE reasons why the club’s hierarchy should give it to Unsworth on a permanent basis…

Encouraging start

Everton have been poor for the vast majority of this season, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise to see Koeman lose his job at the start of the week.

However, it didn’t look like Unsworth had been in charge for just a matter of days based on his team’s efforts and endeavours at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, to the point that some Everton fans left West London disappointed that their side didn’t get through.

Ultimately, Unsworth gave the players some much-needed encouragement and his half-time team talk seemed to stimulate a response from his side, suggesting that whatever he said was both taken on board, but also carried out in a bright second half showing.

Thus, it was an encouraging start, and although they didn’t get through, it’s certainly something to build on in the coming weeks.

Would give youth a chance

To be fair to Koeman, the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies, and Mason Holgate all broke into the first team on occasion during his stint in charge, but Unsworth’s previous role as Under-23 manager is likely to see even more make the step up.

And that was evident on Wednesday night as Jonjoe Kenny, a player many Everton fans have been crying out for this term, and Beni Baningime got the nod against the Blues, and the latter certainly made a name for himself with a combative display in the middle of the park.

And with Ademola Lookman given 20 minutes in the second half, as well as bench spots for Calvert-Lewin and Holgate, Unsworth appears willing to give youth the chance they deserve in the first team.

The tried and trusted hasn’t quite worked for Everton so far this season, and many Evertonians have been asking for more youth and energy in the side – Unsworth seems particularly willing to do just that.

Clear support from the fans and the players

Based on the fan reaction to his first press conference, and indeed the praise they heaped on him following Wednesday’s game, the Everton supporters appear willing to get behind and support Unsworth were he to get the job full time.

And following reports that many players are want the 44-year-old to get the job, the former defender has already done the hard work by earning the respect of several first team players as well as the supporters, and their display at Chelsea is only going to enhance that.

Thus, he is already one step ahead of other possible contenders, and that could see him get the gig full time in the near future.