Two cup runs, fifth place in the league - I say that's a job well done by David Moyes
TWO good cup runs and an excellent fifth place finish means Everton can reflect on a job well done.
Their style of football - playing more through the midfield - went down well with supporters. In the past the team has relied on Mikel Arteta too much for its creative spark, but players like Leon Osman and Stephen Pienaar took on some of that mantle.
Yakubu had an excellent first season in topping 20 goals and represents the kind of signing Everton now need to be making.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON
The unbeaten run in the UEFA Cup, both home and away.
The win at AZ Alkmaar was the first time they had lost in 32 home games while Zenit St Petersburg showed their pedigree by actually winning the competition.
Everton also rattled six past SK Brann, the Norwegian champions.
The players also seemed to take a lot of confidence from the 2-0 win at Manchester City, against a team going well and with a formidable home record.
LOW SPOTS OF SEASON
The Fiorentina game was so disappointing after such a great fightback. Everton had chances to win the game before penalties. It just goes to show how football can deliver such highs and such lows all in the same game.
Everton did well to run Chelsea so close in the Carling Cup semi-finals but were unable to reach the final while the Oldham result in the FA Cup was one that should have been avoided, no matter which starting 11 was put out.
The cups represent Everton's best chance for silverware and with Portsmouth meeting Cardiff in the FA Cup final, this was an opportunity missed.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
JOLEON LESCOTT - the defender's consistency allied to his vital goals means he edges the vote ahead of Tim Howard, Yakubu or Lee Carsley.
In the two years since he joined from Wolves, Lescott has matured into one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Having made his England debut, Lescott has shown he is equally adept at left-back or centre-half.
Good in the air, an excellent tackler, he reads the game well and is composed on the ball. The sort of player who leads by example, he has also shown a natural goal-scorer's anticipation by taking up good positions and finishing coolly on his way to 10 goals for the season - Everton's second leading scorer. Rarely has a bad game.
GOAL OF THE SEASON
Tim Cahill's spectacular overhead equaliser at Chelsea is a contender but Leon Osman's goal against Larissa in the UEFA Cup was more of an all-round team goal.
The goal started deep in Everton territory before some good inter-passing led to Stephen Pienaar's back-flick into the path of Osman, who bent the ball beyond the keeper with the outside of his foot.
GAME OF THE SEASON
The match against Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup may have ended on a disappointing note, but for excitement and style it could not be matched.
The pressure was on for Everton to overturn a two-goal deficit against an Italian side, a notoriously difficult task, and the fact that they took the tie to extra time and penalties was reward for their efforts.
The quality of Everton's football in terms of tempo and passing was top class and they had enough chances to have won the tie but found a keeper in great form.
The 2-0 win at Manchester City, against a side with very strong home form, is also worth a mention.
WHAT NEXT?
Like all managers, David Moyes will want to strengthen his squad this summer, but to what extent the board can support him remains to be seen.
The midfield probably needs stiffening with a player who can add a more physical presence, a bit more height and who drives the side forward. Someone like David Bentley at Blackburn Rovers would be a good acquisition, but he may be out of Everton's price range. Instead of Steve Sidwell at Chelsea, I would be looking at his former Reading team-mate James Harper, who has so many of the attributes needed by a modern midfielder and who may come at a reasonable cost.
Moyes may also look at his attacking options in trying to find someone who can support Yakubu, but if James Vaughan can steer clear of injuries they may already have that player on their books.
The European Championship might complicate the transfer market this summer, as players and agents wait to see if a good summer increases their worth.
But Evertonians will be hoping that the attraction of European football will help Moyes do some early business. He has a young squad - with several of them committed to long-term deals - and will now be looking for the backing needed to compete in the transfer market.
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