HOW fitting that Leon Osman and Leighton Baines were the men on the score sheet as the Blues enjoyed another easy win on Saturday.

Osman has been the key figure in Everton’s recent surge up the table and was once again outstanding as a woeful Blackburn team were swept aside in a dominant second-half display.

The 29-year-old has taken on the responsibility of pulling the strings in the middle of the park and driving his in-form team forward. Simply put, Osman has led by example.

Let’s not underestimate his current run of form, he has taken games firmly by the scruff of the neck and prospered where certain big-name absentees have failed over the course of the season.

He is always looking for the ball, consistently executing the right pass and popping up in scoring positions.

In truth Osman should have more goals to his name, especially given the chances he had against Villa, but that’s the only blot on his copybook at the current time.

Leighton Baines’ expertly taken spot-kick to secure the three points typified the confidence he has in his game at the moment, and as Everton’s most consistent performer this season looked a certainty for the PFA Team of the Year.