Player of the season
1. Idrissa Gana Gueye
Certainly my player of the season, the 35-year-old midfielder has had a resurgence to his best form for Everton in what has been another testing season for the team.
Gana has been a consistent figure in the starting lineup, appearing in 35 games with two coming from the bench. It is haunting to imagine where Everton might have been had he not returned to Goodison Park.
The Senegalese international hasn’t let age play a factor in what makes him the player that is cherished so much by his Everton teammates and fans. Gana has made 125 tackles to lead the league and is 12th for interceptions with 45. His contribution on the defensive side of the ball have been vital in securing Everton’s safety and allowing the team to put points on the board.
With his contract expiring in the summer, Everton must decide on whether they can finally find a replacement for someone they had trouble previously replacing. Gana will have the decision in his own hands should Everton decide to offer him a well-earned contract, with suitors in Saudi rumored to be open for talks.
You would be hard pressed to find a consensus that wouldn’t offer a new deal, especially with the uncertainty that transfer windows bring. Consistent and dependable, something which Everton hope they can find in their summer revamp.
2. Jordan Pickford
Everton and England’s number one is a four-time winner of Everton’s player of the season award. Once again, his name will be one that many could vouch for to be their player of the season.
Appearing in every Premier League game for the Toffees so far, earning 10 clean sheets in the process. His contribution in goal shouldn’t go amiss in what has been a calmer end to the season in comparison to previous relegation-threatened seasons.
114 saves this season, including two memorable penalty saves against Anthony Gordon and Erling Haaland, with both leading to Everton earning points. Pickford also aided with an assist in a 4-0 win at home to Leicester, his second of his career.
Saves like the one at Craven Cottage prove his ability to save the shots that not many can, signifying his worth time and time again.
Away from the statistics, Pickford has become a mature leader at the back, never shying away from letting others know when performances and actions are below standards. Pickford’s improved leadership combined with his reliable shot stopping makes him a worthy recipient of the award.
He is another who we would rather not think about where the club may be without him between the goalposts. The love for the club and fans is clear with fans reciprocating the loyalty shown last time out against Fulham, serenading him at fulltime with a new long overdue chant.
3. James Tarkowski
Everton’s stand-in captain for the season, with Seamus Coleman appearing in only three games, has been an ever-present figure in the backline since his move from Burnley in 2022.
This season was unfortunately cut short due to a hamstring injury after a previous 111 consecutive starts in the league. Tarkowski's efforts alongside Pickford and Gueye have ensured once again that Everton are playing Premier League football next season.
The obvious is the goal against Liverpool, but we will come to that in the last section. What shouldn’t go unnoticed and was proven when he did leave the field of play against Manchester City, without him, Everton have dauntingly little depth in terms of quality across the backline.
David Moyes’ decision of playing Jake O’Brien at right back alongside a center-back partnership of Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite brought improved results, performances, and solidity.
Without Tarkowski, Moyes is forced to use O’Brien at center back, albeit his preferred position, the team looks weaker on the right-hand side and in defensive solidity. The alternative in the middle of Michael Keane is a chapter that could soon be closed come the end of the season.
Whilst Everton have Tarkowski, they have a leader who can nurture the young duo of O’Brien and Branthwaite to step up when his time is done, something which should definitely not be taken for granted.
Young Player of the season
1. Jarrad Branthwaite
Only one player to discuss when selecting the winner of this award, with last year's winner the only justified nominee. Many can make a case for Jarrad Branthwaite also being the player of the season. The 22-year-old is playing in his second full first-team season with the club and has looked composed beyond his years.
Since his installment in the starting lineup, not many partnerships in the league have looked as solid as Branthwaite and Tarkowski when it comes to defensive statistics.
This season has been no different, with 10 clean sheets and the sixth fewest goals conceded with 44. Defensive partnerships can take time, thankfully, with the maturity in Branthwaite’s game, Tarkowski has found a reliable sidekick who makes up for what he lacks.
Composure on the ball is something fans know he possesses but rarely could show under previous management. David Moyes’ reappointment has shone a light on this side of his game and his willingness to build from the back.
Blessed with good recovery speed and his reading of the game, Branthwaite will hope that his performances this season will justify a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s next England selection, after the bitter disappointment of missing out on last year’s European Championship.
As it is for all players, there is room for improvement in his game. Adding goals will be high up on the list, scoreless this season after netting three the season prior. Often letting his performance do the talking, the leadership of those around him will become an expectation not just through actions but vocally as well. A big summer looms once again for the young defender, with Everton fans hopeful of seeing him walking out at Bramley-Moore in royal blue.
Goal of the season
1. James Tarkowski vs Liverpool
The goal that will live long in the minds of every Everton fan for so many reasons.
Not only did the goal mean that we salvaged a point at the death against them from across the park, but it is solidified as the last ever goal in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, with the added beauty of it being the last under the lights at The Old Lady and at the Gwladys Street end.
Reported on X by @Everton-Extra, James Tarkowski has said himself, "It wasn't just my favorite Goodison memory, it was my favorite memory in football," which speaks volumes of the goal by someone who has amassed 502 games in the professional game.
Pure emotion was shown in the stadium that night, with fans on the pitch as Tarkowski lead the celebrations, one even holding the corner flag aloft as if he were celebrating a battle victory. The Gwladys street was visible chaos, with the Goodison roar reverberating around the stadium.
As for the goal itself, it was a picture-perfect and fitting strike for such an occasion. Many can think it was fortunate, the center-back took the risk to make his way in the box with no clear indication the ball would end up at his boot.
However, it was as if Tarkowski knew where that ball would drop. As it was flicked on by Tim Iroegbunam, with his tongue sticking out, fans holding their breath, he unleashed the right-footed volley into the roof of the net.
As the curtain closes on the 2024/2025 campaign goals will get forgotten, but this one is etched in the history of the club, the league and the sport.
2. Iliman Ndiaye vs Tottenham
For his first season at the club, Iliman Ndiaye has had many standout moments. The Senegalese international has provided a spark and rawness to the team, a likeness in that respect to Steven Pienaar.
Scoring nine goals in his debut season for Everton, he has come up big when goals have been hard to come by. A memorable strike and another contender for goal of the season came away at Manchester City. The instant control and half-volleyed finish showed the ability he possesses, alongside his importance of scoring big goals to earn a point at the Etihad.
For myself, Ndiaye outdid himself with his solo goal against Spurs at Goodison. The goal was one that I can't think of many past or present Everton players scoring. Having the speed and technical quality to take the ball from just past halfway to within yards of the opposition goal, including a stepover to beat his defender, topped off with a clinically lifted finish, all added up to a remarkable goal.
3. Dwight McNeil vs Crystal Palace
Dwight McNeil hasn't often scored simple goals in his professional career. A signature strike against Crystal Palace earlier in the season was a trademark finish that was a near carbon copy of one he scored for Burnley at the Gwladys Street end.
The left-footed winger has been chopped and changed from the left and right flanks since his time at Everton. His left foot provides a threat on both sides due to the delivery he possesses, but on the right, it allows him to operate inside, cutting back on his left foot.
McNeil has that unique ability where you know exactly what he is going to do, but there isn't much at times anyone can do to stop it.
The goal against Palace typified this, picking up the ball inside off the right, setting himself with one touch and firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Gwladys Street goal. Any other season, this would certainly be atop of many lists for goal of the season.
Fans can vote for their choices all on the Everton website. Let us know your thoughts on who gets your votes by commenting on our posts on social media.