- Garner swept the club awards after topping the Premier League charts.
- Demolition of Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was high point of season.
- A late-season capitulation saw Everton take just 3 points from 21 available.
From the absolute euphoria of a 3-0 demolition of Chelsea to the crushing heartbreak of a stoppage-time derby defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s most campaign delivered its fair share of ups and downs.
In this season review, we break down the definitive highs and lows of David Moyes’ first full season in charge (second time around). We unpack the stellar campaigns of award-winner James Garner and summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, alongside the late-season capitulation that ultimately cost the Toffees a European journey.
Highs: Award winners, Chelsea demolition, and a transfer highlight
James Garner: Engine room’s crown jewel
James Garner enjoyed a truly standout season. He richly deserving both his Men’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
Defensively, Garner topped the Premier League charts for English players in both successful tackles (116) and interceptions (58). This was a testament to his aggressive work rate and tactical intelligence. In attack, he pulled the strings, ranking second at the club for assists and third for successful final-third passes (472).
Despite his dominant form, Thomas Tuchel snubbed Garner for the upcoming World Cup squad. While frustrating for the player, there is a silver lining for Everton. A full summer rest period to keep their star midfielder fresh and away from the prying eyes of rival clubs.
The Chelsea demolition: A rare night of pure optimism
While several standout fixtures punctuated the calendar—including Forest at home, Newcastle away, and United away—Everton’s 3-0 dismantling of Chelsea took the crown as the performance of the season.
In front of a raucous Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes’ men completely blew the Londoners away. Goals from Beto (2) and Iliman Ndiaye sealed a dominant victory. In a refreshing change of pace for the fans, this was one fixture where an Everton win never felt in doubt.
The three points propelled the Toffees up to seventh in the Premier League table going into the international break. It offered a fanbase accustomed to disappointment a rare moment of genuine optimism.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Undoubted transfer gem
The Blues summer transfer window yielded mixed results, but the acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall proved to be an undeniable masterstroke. The 27-year-old former Chelsea man quickly established himself as a vital cog in Moyes’ Everton.
Across the season, Dewsbury-Hall provided a constant threat from central midfield, racking up an impressive eight goals and four assists. He didn’t shirk his defensive duties either, putting in a tireless shift that yielded 52 tackles and 134 ball recoveries. He injected creativity, goal threat, and defensive bite into the squad, proving himself an invaluable element in Everton’s ongoing rebuild.
Lows: Derby heartbreak, injury curses, and the late capitulation
Stoppage-time agony in Hill Dickinson derby
Everton entered April’s historic first Merseyside Derby at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium brimming with confidence. Liverpool sat within touching distance in the league table, Everton possessed the form, and the brand-new stadium was rocking.
Despite outplaying their rivals for large stretches of the match, disaster struck late on. Just as it looked like Everton would secure a well-earned point, Liverpool snatched victory with the last kick of the ball.
Fans hoped the move to the new ground would herald a fresh start in Everton’s psychological relationship with their neighbours. Instead, it very much felt like business as usual.
The Spring collapse: How Europe slipped away
With just seven games left of the season, Everton sat firmly in the driver’s seat for a European spot. The maths was ultimately simple: In the end, Moyes’ side needed just 9 points from the final 21 available. Given their form heading into the stretch, continental football felt like it was in touching distance.
Instead, the team chose that exact moment to turn in their worst football of the campaign. Everton managed a dismal three points from those final seven fixtures. They also repeatedly threw away leads and conceded late goals. The collapse saw them plummet to a 13th-place finish, completely out of the European running.
The Injury Curse: Grealish and Branthwaite sidelined
Navigating a Premier League campaign with a thin squad always carries immense risk, and injuries cruelly derailed Everton’s momentum by striking two of the team’s most influential players.
- Jack Grealish: The playmaker’s season-long loan from Manchester City came to a grinding halt in January. A severe stress fracture in his foot sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. Before the injury, Grealish acted as the team’s creative heartbeat, racking up two goals and six assists in 18 Premier League starts.
- Jarrad Branthwaite: After missing the first five months of the season following major surgery, the towering defender finally returned in January. Sadly, he was stretchered off in tears during April’s Merseyside Derby. Without Branthwaite’s physical presence, the exhausted Everton defence collapsed late in games, ultimately killing all hopes of European qualification.
Conclusion: Blueprint for next season
Ultimately, Everton’s season remains a tale of what could have been. While the individual brilliance of James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shone, a shallow squad exposed by devastating injuries ultimately cost the Toffees a European finish.
If Everton are to convert these fleeting highs into sustained success next year, the board must prioritise major recruitment to fix the squad’s crippling lack of depth.
