2015 won’t be a year that lives long in the memory of Everton fans for a number of reasons. Another year gone by without a trophy and a fanbase that is split on many topics. We take a look back at a disappointing year.
A poor start.
Everyone at Everton hoped that the start of 2015 would nothing like the end of 2014. Three losses from the last three games of the year left the Blues hoping for a revival. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case, the new year started with a 2-0 loss away to the eventually relegated Hull City.
This was then followed up by two draws at home to Manchester City and West Brom. The latter being the controversial Kevin Mirallas missed penalty. But at least we got to feature in the new Rocky film ‘Creed’…
Everton’s first victory of 2015 was away to Crystal Palace, something that fans thought would spark a run. But it didn’t and Everton failed to win any of their next 5 games, a crucial factor in not being able to drag ourselves up the table.
An eventually futile hunt for silverware.
Without a trophy since 1995, Everton set out to try and end their barren run.
The Blues put up a fight in the FA Cup, taking West Ham to a replay after a late 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. The reply went to penalties after finishing 2-2 in extra time. A dramatic penalty shootout followed and West Ham advanced victorious winning 9-8. Being dumped out of any cup at the first hurdle is hard to swallow, but the Blues are set to play in their first semi-final since 2012, when they face Manchester City in the Capital One Cup.
The Europa League offered an escape root from the troubles of the Premier League. Everton were drawn against Young Boys of Bern in the round of 32. The Toffees made light work of their Swiss opposition,beating them 7-2 on aggregate.
The round of 16 offered a more testing challenge, one which the Blues were not up to. Going into the second leg Everton held a 2-1 lead, but were ultimately dismantled 5-2, leaving the aggregate score 6-4 and Everton out. Many fans questioned Roberto Martinez’s ability to set up a team defensively, and still are to this day.
Transfer window
The January signing of Aaron Lennon was an inspired one with the tricky winger helping Everton to their best streak of the season, going undefeated in six.
In the summer window Everton signed Gerard Deulofeu, Ramiro Funes Mori, Tom Cleverley and Aaron Lennon for the first team. Yet fans were left disappointed when a deal for Andriy Yarmolenko fell through. Keeping John Stones following Chelsea’s heavy pursuit was a positive.
The undroppable.
In 2015, Everton have been plagued with Roberto Martinez’s inability to drop players that are costing Everton points or if he does so it has been done too late. The most prominent being Tim Howard, especially when Joel Robles came in and kept a number of clean sheets. Sylvain Distin and Antolin Alcaraz were also given a little too long to prove their worth.
The young talent.
As I have basically just had a big moan about Everton I’ll end on a positive. 2015 saw the emergence of young talents such as Luke Garbutt and Brendan Galloway, while Ross Barkley and John Stones have taken their games to another level. This leaves our future looking bright, at least.
