Kevin Mirallas collected the Player of the Month award for December at a lunch in Liverpool’s Hilton Hotel yesterday afternoon.
He was joined at the lunch by a group of lucky Evertonians who were undoubtedly still heartbroken over the last night’s FA Cup 3rd Round result against West Ham.
Although a disappointing end to 2014 was endured, and the team are still without a win in the new year, Mirallas has certainly lifted spirits since his return in November against Tottenham, after two months out injured.
He then played in the 1-1 draw with Hull City and narrow defeat at Manchester City before scoring in the 3-1 win over QPR and narrow 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United, either side of the Boxing Day contest with Stoke City.
The Belgian’s fine December performances and goals took his tally for the campaign to seven in all competitions, including goals against Chelsea, West Brom and both Europa League fixtures against German side Wolfsburg.
Speaking after receiving his award Mirallas said: “As a team, we obviously wanted to do better in December but I’m pleased to be back from injury. I feel good and hopefully there are more goals to come in the second half of the season.”
It was the Belgian who got the Blues’ passionate fight-back started when he scored a stunning free-kick just eight minutes from time.
Romelu Lukaku added to his goal tally against the Hammers, to give Everton the lead in the first half of extra time. Both Belgians dedicating their goals to their fellow international team-mate Junior Malanda, who died on Saturday after being involved in a car accident.
Lukaku took to Instagram after the tie to post an emotional tribute to the best-friend he called his brother.