Everton’s season has come to an end where the club narrowly escaped relegation, thanks to some excellent performances towards the end of the season. It was a rollercoaster ride that Everton fans do not want to experience again.
It was a turbulent season with more downs than ups but what mattered, in the end, was how the supporters took on the responsibility to become the twelfth man and power their beloved Toffees to safety.
With the season now over, let’s take a look at some of the best Everton picks of the season. From best goal to the most important goal, from the best signing to the most underrated player, it’s time to name some of the best picks of the season.
Everton player of the season
Jordan Pickford and Richarlison have to be considered top candidates. Maybe, Anthony Gordon has an outside chance because of his sheer dedication to give 100% to the club whenever he’s on the pitch.
Pickford seems to edge out Richarlison by a small margin. He was fantastic in the last few games of the season, producing world class saves to keep Everton in the game. Had Pickford not been between the posts, the Toffees would have ended up conceding more than 58 goals because of a fragile defence.
The Englishman has massively improved this season. Prior to this season, Pickford could have been hand responsible for letting in silly goals or having butterfingers, failing to get hold of the ball and make errors in the box. However, he hasn’t given any chances to his critics this term.
If Pickford had not performed like he did in games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester City, the Toffees would well have been on their way to the Championship.
Everton’s young gun of the season
Without a doubt it has to be Gordon. The academy graduate showed his true mettle this season, easily becoming a regular name on the team sheet and one of the most dependable ones too.
Rafa Benitez used him regularly but the arrival of Frank Lampard saw Gordon’s development fast track as the English boss has had an excellent track record of developing and burturing the youngsters. Gordon has become more of a man, takes more responsibility and shows unquestionable intent every time he steps on the field.
The 21 year old played 35 Premier League games, scoring four goals and providing two assists. After waiting for an eternity, the attacker finally scored his debut goal for the senior side. Gordon also scored the all important goal against Manchester United as the Toffees won 1-0 at Goodison Park.
At 21, he has time on his side to further polish his skills. Hugely talented, he still lacks the final touch needed in the opposition goal area. He’s capable of driving forward with the ball and beating his opponents with his pace but his finishing still needs to be polished. He should be the one to watch next season.
Everton’s best signing of the season
It has to be Demarai Gray. Everton were crippled in the summer transfer window and could only spend £2.7 million in the market. Gray arrived from Bayer Leverkusen after an uninspiring time in Germany. The Birmingham born always had the talent and potential but he was not able to reach the heights he was destined.
Coming to Everton, the Englishman made an immediate impact, scoring three goals and assisting one more in first six games of the season. His threatening pace and skills on the ball gave nightmares to defenders who couldn’t even match his speed if they had jet packs on their backs.
Gray’s impact reduced a bit in the second half of the season mainly because he was letting himself down in the final third and was not able to pick the right pass. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin also fit and back in the side, Gray often came off the bench.
For £2.7 million, Everton managed to unearth a gem in Gray. He is by far Everton’s signing of the season.
Everton’s most improved player
The most improved player has to be Alex Iwobi. Maybe Mason Holgate comes close but the impact that Iwobi has had is phenomenal. Iwobi is easily the most improved player under Frank Lampard. The Nigerian has played every minute of each game in the last 12 games and has been highly impressive.
When asked to operate as a right wing back, Iwobi’s performances have skyrocketed as he has shown commitment and versatility. The 26 year old scored the injury time winner at Newcastle which in the end proved to be crucial in Everton’s relegation battle.
Iwobi has gone on from being an occasional starter to becoming one of the first names on the team sheet under Lampard. As a wing back, he’s able to show his creativity and often use space on the flank to create but most importantly his discipline to track back and press opponents make him a complete player in that position.
Everton’s best moment of the season
Undoubtedly, it has to be that Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal against Crystal Palace. From being 2-0 down to completing a 3-2 comeback at Goodison that secured Everton’s safety was the moment of the season.
It was poetic that Calvert-Lewin scored that goal. A player who had fallen down, and struggled with injuries all season, had to dig deep within himself to find confidence, scored that majestic header in the classic Calvert-Lewin fashion.
The goal of the season
THAT Andros Townsend goal against Burnley. Who doesn’t remember that? Everton were 1-0 down before Michael Keane equalized. In the 65th minute, Abdoulaye Doucoure fed a pass to Townsend near the centre circle and the English winger drove forward with the ball, created space on his left and unleashed a rocket from his left foot that screamed past Nick Pope. The dip was perfect, the power on the ball was perfect, everything about that goal was perfect.
What were your best picks? Let us know on Twitter?