How did a club drifting towards another relegation battle become one of the Premier League’s most consistent challengers — and just how great was David Moyes’ Everton?

By Far The Greatest Team continues with the story of Everton between 2002 and 2013 — an 11-year period of stability, intelligent recruitment, European adventures, near misses and some wonderfully unpredictable footballers.

Jamie Rooney and Graham Dunn are joined by regular guest and Everton supporter Declan Clark to revisit the first Goodison Park reign of David Moyes.

When Moyes arrived from Preston North End in March 2002, Everton were level on points with the relegation places and seemingly trapped in a cycle of decline. He immediately described Everton as “The People’s Club” and began rebuilding its confidence, culture and connection with the supporters.

His first full season brought a seventh-place finish and the emergence of Wayne Rooney. A 16-year-old Rooney announced himself with that unforgettable goal against Arsenal before becoming England’s most exciting young footballer at Euro 2004. His tournament-ending injury and subsequent move to Manchester United left Everton without their greatest home-grown talent in a generation — but also helped finance the next stage of Moyes’ rebuild.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2003–04, Everton produced one of the great Premier League surprises by finishing fourth in 2004–05, above Liverpool and inside the Champions League places. Their European dream ended against Villarreal amid the controversy of Duncan Ferguson’s disallowed goal, but Everton had re-established themselves as a serious force.

Operating under the financial restrictions of the Bill Kenwright era, Moyes repeatedly found value where richer clubs were not looking. Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines, Steven Pienaar and Seamus Coleman became the foundation of a team that finished in the top eight nine times during his tenure.

Not every signing worked quite so successfully.

Jamie, Graham and Dec revisit the chaotic, curious and occasionally loveable collection of players who passed through Goodison — including Per Krøldrup, Andy van der Meyde, Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi. Some disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived; others became cult heroes through commitment, personality and the willingness to run through a brick wall.

The high point came in 2009, when Everton reached the FA Cup final after defeating Manchester United on penalties in the semi-final. Louis Saha gave them a dream start against Chelsea by scoring after only 25 seconds, but Moyes’ best opportunity to win a major trophy ended in a 2–1 defeat.

The episode considers both sides of the Moyes legacy. He transformed Everton into a respected, competitive and remarkably consistent Premier League club, developed outstanding players and was voted LMA Manager of the Year three times. Yet there was no trophy, Champions League qualification ended before the group stage, and the biggest matches too often remained just beyond their reach.

Was Moyes the manager who restored Everton — or the man who eventually reached the limits of what that Everton could become?

🔑 Takeaways

• How David Moyes restored stability and belief after arriving in 2002
• The emergence, impact and eventual departure of Wayne Rooney
• How Everton finished fourth immediately after one of Moyes’ worst seasons
• The controversial Champions League defeat against Villarreal
• Why Moyes became one of the Premier League’s smartest recruiters
• The successes, misfits and cult heroes who defined the era
• Everton’s journey to the 2009 FA Cup final
• Whether consistency without a trophy should still be considered greatness
• The final ranking of one of Everton’s most important modern teams

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How great were they?

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