David Moyes has taken his current squad just about as far as they can go - cracking the Big Four will be costly.
'Everton have got this far through ridiculously hard work, with opposition teams unable to pierce their armadillo-like coat of team spirit'
Everton have been scrabbling under the floorboards of the Big Four for most of the season like a rabid stoat, but recently the clawing and squeaking have subsided. And now Everton are silent, their challenge on the top four is over.
Climbing to the summit without a deep squad is always a risky game, even riskier for the Toffees - a team that have often suffered "hangover seasons" after successful ones - I wouldn't be particularly surprised if they fell into mediocre midtable quicksand next season.
Everton have got this far through ridiculously hard work, with opposition teams unable to pierce their armadillo-like coat of team spirit; to make the step up though they will have to sacrifice this team spirit, bring in more players to get their squad up to fighting weight, and most importantly bring in better players.
This last element of building success is far easier in principle than in practice. Everton currently have a strong first XI, with the watertight Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, and Joleon Lescott at the back, the midget gems - Arteta, Osman, Pienaar, and Fernandes in midfield, and Yakubu and Andy Johnson as a strong forward line.
However, to make the step up, David Moyes will have to replace a lot of these players, a move that could be something of a bitter pill to swallow.
Yakubu has had a wonderful first season, turning his nose up at the stagnant puddle of useless strikers that have traipsed through Goodison in recent years by scoring 19 goals in all competitions, but you have to ask yourself why none of the Big Four even entertained the idea of taking the Nigerian on - and you have to look to his wobbly form and the fact that he oscillates between Thierry Henry and Lenny Henry about 20 times a game.
Yakubu is a nearly man, at his best an awesome striker, at his worst a fumbling clodhopper - and not good enough for the highest echelon of the league. Similar criticisms can be levelled at Andy Johnson; at his best he is quick-witted, has the speed of an Olympian sprinter, and can score swathes of goals. Having said that, he would look out of his depth in a Big Four team.
To make the step up - it is possible that Everton will need two top strikers, and may have to shunt Yakubu and AJ to the ignominy of squad rotation - but the fact is that these two players are Everton's two most expensive signings - replacing them (and probably breaking that transfer record by extension) would be a very big stretch and a huge risk.
Many will see Everton as the best prospect for bursting the Big Four bubble but their brand of football won't get them any higher than fifth and a full scale overhaul is nigh on impossible. Tottenham, for example, have a much better chance - what with their location, stadium, superior transfer funds and deeper squad.
The sad truth is that for the dependable Everton steam engine, this is the end of the line.
What changes do Everton need to make to tackle the Big Four? Post your comments below.