A single goal from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov in the closing seconds of the season ended Everton’s campaign on a high. Yet despite securing eighth place, David Moyes will see this year as a wasted opportunity to challenge the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City to do what Tottenham Hotspur finally managed to do – break the stranglehold of the big four.

 

Everton finished a clear eleven points ahead of ninth placed Birmingham City but just two tantalising points behind local rivals Liverpool who grabbed the last Europa League spot. After their strong showing last season despite an horrendous injury crisis, everyone connected with the club was expecting great things. However, the opening day saw Arsenal as the visitors to Goodison Park and they dealt out a 6-1 drubbing the blow of which was only softened by a 4-0 win in the Europa League the following week. Indeed, it was their European exploits that kept the fans going during what was a dismal first half of the season.

Tottenham put paid to their Carling Cup hopes in October while Birmingham City came to Goodison in Round 4 of the FA Cup and went away 2-1 winners. The turn of the year was the turning point in the Toffee’s season and following a local derby defeat, form picked up with draws at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates and a balmy ten day period which saw consecutive wins over Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United all at Goodison Park.

Despite Sporting Lisbon subsequently bringing their European adventure to an end, the loss to Spurs in the next match was the last of the season with 6 wins and 5 draws from their last 11 matches. A similar run starting a little earlier next season should bring its own rewards.