Moyes' six months of stability, positivity and progress

EVERTON NOW LOOKING FORWARD FOLLOWING RETURN OF BOSS

- By JOE THOMAS

SIX months ago, David Moyes was preparing for the first game of his second stint in the Everton dugout.

Having been appointed in the aftermath of the FA Cup win over Peterborough United, he had given his first pre-match press conference and sought to inject optimism into a club that looked destined for another relegation fight.

His first match ended in a narrow home defeat to Aston Villa. But his arrival proved to be a turning point nonetheless.

Here, the ECHO looks back on six big months for the club and how the Blues' outlook has changed as a result.

Everton survived after immediate surge in form

The most significant development is that Everton are still a Premier League club. Going into last season, the primary ambition was survival making sure the club could outlast its off-the-pitch issues and exploit the opportunities its stunning new stadium presented.

When Moyes was appointed that remained the objective. At the time, it felt in jeopardy.

Everton had looked solid for most of December, earning impressive draws with Champions League-chasing Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City after an important home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But two defeats on either side of the new year proved to be the downfall of Sean Dyche. It was not simply the results that were problematic but the manner of the losses as well. Everton took 82 minutes to register a first shot on target as Nottingham Forest brushed them aside at Goodison Park. None followed in the defeat at Bournemouth days later, Dyche's last game in charge.