January

There were no less than seven games in January, which turned out to be a mixed month for Everton.

The Blues exited two cup competitions in the calendar month, but ended it in fourth place in the Premier League.

First up in 2008 was a trip to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough. In a thoroughly professional performance, Andrew Johnson and James McFadden were on target in a 2-0 win.

The Scot dedicated what would turn out to be his last goal for Everton to his friend, the Motherwell player Phil O'Donnell, who had died in shocking circumstances a few days before.

Oldham celebrate their shock win at Goodison

Sadly, the Toffees' FA Cup campaign was a short-lived one as League One side Oldham Athletic recorded a shock 1-0 win at Goodison Park to send the home Blues crashing out of the competition.

It was back-to-back cup ties for Everton, with the midweek Carling Cup semi-final, first leg trip to Chelsea next on the calendar.

A narrow 2-1 defeat - with Yakubu emphatically notching for the Toffees - meant the second leg at Goodison would be eagerly contested.

Any disappointment from the previous two games was soon assuaged though, with a hard fought 1-0 win over Manchester City, courtesy of another priceless Joleon Lescott strike.

Joleon Lescott celebrates his goal against Man City

And the big defender was on target again at the JJB Stadium as he joined Andy Johnson on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win over Wigan.

Wembley was on the agenda when Chelsea hit town for the second leg of the Carling Cup tie - but despite their best efforts Everton were unable to breach the superbly-marshalled visiting defence and Joe Cole scored an inevitable counter-attacking goal.

So it was testament to the character of the squad that they were able to grind out a 0-0 draw with vastly improved Spurs a few days later to end the month in fourth spot.

Off the field, James McFadden had departed for Birmingham and Alan Stubbs for Derby, with David Moyes bringing in youngster Dan Gosling and loanees Anthony Gardner and Manuel Fernandes.