It's not often that a manager can look at a game where his side were 2-0 up after 65 minutes, end up losing 3-2 and think: 'that will be the making of my side'.
For Marco Silva and Everton however, that appears to be the case.
Their defeat in those circumstances away at Newcastle United at the beginning of March looks to have galvanised the Toffees and led to a maturity in Silva's young side which has since seen them win four of their next six, including victories over Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
The game at St. James' Park seemed to sum up everything that was going wrong with Silva's first year in charge on Merseyside.
A promising display was ultimately undone by immaturity and poor defending, which cost them another three points and saw them slip down to 11th in the Premier League
Everyone at the club has learned from that experience though and they have responded superbly, keeping clean sheets in five of their six games since then.
Fans who were becoming increasingly disgruntled are now excited by the future, and with good reason.
The inconsistency of Everton
The older guard of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Theo Walcott have been phased out and young talents such as Tom Davies
It now looks as though these players are ready to take the club to the next level, having in recent weeks found the consistency required if they are to challenge for European football next season.
Silva clearly has the belief in them, providing a new contract for Davies, who he has also made the club's youngest ever captain, and giving Calvert-Lewin a run in the side despite him not being a consistent goalscorer.
Sensing that they are ready to start competing at a higher level, the Portuguese boss has also praised his players' growing maturity.
| “Things are more settled, and the connections are coming more easily.
— Everton (@Everton) May 1, 2019
“The players know each other better and know our philosophy better. It is part of our process."#WednesdayWisdom from the boss. https://t.co/JKh0dAYbSv
He has not yet been able to show it in England, but Silva is a winner.
He picked up trophies at all of his first three clubs and he will be desperate to do the same with Everton, a club who are desperate to bring back the glory days.
Everton have not lifted a trophy since 1995 and that is the next stage of Silva's, and owner Farhad Moshiri's, long-term plan.
They have proved they can perform against the top sides in the division, they now need to show a level of consistency against those in the bottom half.
A disappointing 2-0 defeat away at relegated Fulham
The experience of players such as Gylfi Sigurdsson, Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman
Keeping his ever-improving players away from the clutches of bigger clubs will be key for SIlva but, if he is able to, he may be leading Everton into their most exciting season since David Moyes took them to the Champions League
Not many would have expected it after the capitulation away at Newcastle less than two months ago, but now, t
Source : 90min