The recent return of David Moyes to Goodison Park has triggered an uplift in Everton supporters that they haven’t felt in years. Over the course of the last three seasons, The Toffees have been consistently fighting against relegation, and it looked as though the 2024/25 campaign would be the same up until the maverick Scotsman’s return. However, the Glaswegian has immediately instilled a new lease of life around the blue half of Merseyside.
Changing the Narrative
Prior to Moyes’ return, news coming out of the club was perennially pessimistic. However, the narrative has since changed thanks to three consecutive Premier League victories. Everton firstly beat Spurs by three goals to two in a thriller at Goodison, before then going on to win away from home for just the second time this season against high-flying Brighton.
The Toffees then thumped fellow relegation candidates Leicester City 4-0 on home turf, followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Liverpool. This momentum continued with a battling 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, removing relegation fears from even the most anxious of fans. That’s showing up on many news platforms, as people take note of their more hopeful outlook. The latest odds from the popular Bodog news and betting site now make the Merseysiders a 22/1 outsider to suffer relegation this term. A lot of people eager to place a bet will be weighing up their chances as we head into the next few weeks.
Should Moyes manage to turn the club from a relegation candidate to a top-half team, it would surely be one of his greatest achievements in charge of the Toffees. But what are his greatest moments thus far?
Unearthing Wayne Rooney
Perhaps the most iconic moment of Moyes’ early reign came when he introduced a teenage prodigy by the name of Wayne Rooney to the footballing world. In his first stint in charge, the Scottish manager handed the future England captain his Premier League debut at the age of just 16, and ‘Wazza’ duly rewarded him with a rasping last-gasp 30-yard winner against Premier League champions Arsenal, ending the Gunners’ 30-game unbeaten run in the process.
Moyes often had limited resources during his time at Everton, meaning he needed to rely on nurturing young talent. Spotting Rooney’s potential and giving him the platform to shine was not just a high point for the club but for English football as a whole. Two years later, he was thriving as he led the line for the Three Lions at UEFA Euro 2004, before going on to become one of the greatest players the country has ever produced.
Securing Champions League Football
One of Moyes’ crowning achievements at Everton was leading the club to an unprecedented fourth-place finish in the 2004-05 Premier League season, thereby securing Champions League qualification in the process. This was especially remarkable considering the state of the club the previous season.
The Toffees avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth in the 2003-04 season, finishing down in 17th and just six points above the drop zone. To make matters worse, they then lost star striker Rooney to Manchester United, as well as maverick midfielder Thomas Gravesen to Real Madrid. Just £8.5m of the £30m received was invested back into the playing squad, but Moyes’ shrewd additions catapulted his side up the table.
The £2m capture of Australian midfielder Tim Cahill was without question the signing of the summer. The former Millwall man went on to top score with 11 goals and would be a crucial player for the club for years to come. Despite finishing with a -1 goal difference, Everton squeezed into the top four, finishing three points clear of rivals Liverpool to secure Champions League football for the first time.
Unfortunately, however, The Toffees never went on to see the tournament proper, going on to lose home and away to Villareal in the third qualifying round.
Reaching the FA Cup Final
Perhaps the only thing that eluded Everton throughout Moyes’ stellar first stint in charge at Goodison was a piece of silverware. He transformed the club into a consistent contender for European qualification, but never quite managed to claim a trophy. But it looked as though that blemish on his record would change in 2009 as The Toffees managed to make a deep run in the FA Cup.
Moyes’ men managed to beat archrivals Liverpool in the fourth round, with Dan Gosling netting in the 118th minute of a replay to send his side through. Further victories followed against fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, setting up a crunch clash with Manchester United at Wembley in the semifinal.
Despite being huge underdogs, the Merseyside outfit managed to hold its own. They took the contest to a penalty shootout after a goalless two hours, allowing former Red Devils goalkeeper Tim Howard to become the hero with two penalty saves.
In the final, The Toffees faced another daunting task as they headed back to Wembley to face off with Chelsea. It looked as though the club might well claim its first piece of silverware in 14 years when Louis Saha gave his side the lead after just 25 seconds, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history. Unfortunately, though, Chelsea came roaring back, and stunning goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard took the trophy to Stamford Bridge, breaking Evertonian hearts once more.
Although Everton fell short in the final, the achievement of getting there was monumental. It emphasized Moyes’ ability to compete with the top clubs despite his side’s financial limitations. If he can mount similar runs in years to come, then he will no doubt endear himself to the club’s loyal supporters even more than he already has.