2013/14 Review

What a season 2013/14 was. Finally free from the dour grip of David Moyes' 'success' at Everton, it was a season that saw a succession of the clubs' Premier League era records broken, and a good few that went even further back. Back in Europe after 4 years away, our highest points total since we won the title in 1987, a first win at Old Trafford (or any of the old 'Big Four' where Moyes routinely had us turn up with our tails between our legs year after year...) and a first double over United since 1970 (which led to Moyes getting the sack...even sweeter!) joint best home record, most home wins, most league wins in a season in the PL era, all in all basically, it was Everton's best season since that title win in 87. Not bad for a side expected to fade away into oblivion without Moyes was it?

And thats all down to the new manager, Roberto Martinez having the faith in a very talented set of players to let them go out and play the way they can.

Player of the Season

Seamus Coleman

Fact is, this could have been one of several players. James McCarthy, Gareth Barry, Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku, Sylvain Distin, all had outstanding seasons and wouldnt have really had any complaints had they won it. But the man I voted for in the end won both the fans and the players award. Had to be Seamus Coleman. For a man who until Swansea away in 2012 had never actually played full back because Moyes never thought he was capable enough defensively, has simply never looked back. The best attacking full back in the League, deservedly voted into the PFA team of the season, 7 goals scored from open play, numerous classy assists (none better than the one to set up Kevin Mirallas against United at Goodison), and his defending has never ever suffered for how good he is going forward. Class, and getting better.

Young Player of the Season

Ross Barkley

Another category James McCarthy was unlucky to miss out on! Had to be Barkley. Another player who suffered from a lack of faith in him under the previous manager, and that of Neil Warnock after being sent back from a loan spell at Leeds. But Martinez has faith in the lad, and just lets him do what he wants and he's flourished. From the screamer on the opening day for our first goal of the season at Norwich, to the even better first time finish at home to Man City, he's far from the finished article, and still has games where his inexperience shows up, but he's learning and getting better all the time. What a player he's going to be. And Roy Hodgson obviously thinks so as well, as he is in the England squad for the World Cup in Brazil. Not bad for a player who couldnt get in the Leeds team last season?

Goal of the Season

Ross Barkley vs Newcastle United (A)

Again, a few candidates here, most of them scored by Barkley or Coleman! The two mentioned by Barkley above, either of Baines' free kicks at West Ham, either of Barkley and Coleman's goals in the away win at Swansea, Deulofeu's wicked finish at Arsenal, Mirallas' free kicks against Villa and Norwich, Osman's curler at home to Fulham, Coleman's screamer at home to Southampton, Lukaku finishing off an outstanding team goal at Hull, or his solo effort at home to Arsenal, Barry's bending shot at home to Norwich. But Ross' goal in the 3-0 win at Newcastle takes some beating, simply one of the best goals Ive seen live. A Newcastle corner was cleared and flicked away by Deulofeu to Barkley's feet in the right back position. He took off, tricking a couple of Newcastle defenders on the way, used the run of Lukaku to open up some space, sent Coloccini flying with a dummy before finally smashing a shot into the top corner from inside the box. Incredible goal. . 

Best Home Game

Everton 3-0 Arsenal

By a mile. At the time, we were fighting each other for 4th place, and we absolutely pasted them. Steven Naismith finished off a good move early on to give us the lead, and Lukaku's stunning solo goal had us more than in control at half time. Nice little bit of icing on the cake second half with Barkley flooring Arteta, who also scored a nice little own goal, so good times all round! Honourable mentions to the easy win over United getting Moyes the sack, the early season win over Chelsea, and an awful game, but Coleman's miskicked stoppage time winner against Cardiff. 

Worst Home Game

Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace

Losing to Sunderland was frustrating, but we murdered them and it was just one of those days. This was a real let down however. So soon after that Arsenal game, we needed to keep winning to stand a chance of finishing above Arsenal, and absolutely blew it here, turning up arrogantly and getting deservedly pasted by an excellent Palace performance.

Best Away Game

Manchester United 0-1 Everton

Again, several candidates for this one, the absolute bedlam of the topsy turvy West Ham game, the late win at Fulham, Hull on the last day with its easy win and Liverpool losing the title making it just one big party, and the sheer destruction of Newcastle. The United game was just sheer perfection though, it had everything. First win there in 21 years, Martinez winning his first away at one of the four grounds Moyes never won on, and against Moyes too making it a million times better, incredible atmosphere, proper limbs when we scored and at full time. Absolutely nothing like a late winner, and it was scored by one of the season's heroes, another man who Moyes had so little faith in, Bryan Oviedo. One of those moments that made everything worthwhile. 

Worst Away Game

Liverpool 4-0 Everton

I challenge anyone to find a worse possible League defeat than having one of those where everything they hit goes in, every mistake you make gets punished...oh, and its at your local rivals. Horrible night, thought conceding two own goals in an early kick off at Southampton, that was a pretty joyous occasion compared to this one...