February

The Blues went unbeaten in February - making real progress on two fronts.

Looking to defend the fourth spot they currently occupied, Everton made the tricky trip to Blackburn - and they should have left with three points.

An inexplicably-disallowed Andy Johnson goal meant the Blues had to settle for a single point at Ewood Park.

Next, Reading arrived at Goodison Park, and the Royals were on a woeful run of form that would eventually see them relegated.

Phil Jagielka carefully steers his header into the net for Everton's goal against Reading

Phil Jagielka's first Goodison goal for Everton was the difference between the two sides as the Blues warmed up for their Uefa Cup clash with Norwegian champions SK Brann.

The trip to Scandinavia was something of a venture into the unknown, but a classy strike from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe's late tap-in ensured David Moyes' side were in a commanding position ahead of the second leg eight days later.

And what a second leg it was! Everton exerted their authority over Brann, enjoying an emphatic 6-1 win with strikers Yakubu (3) and Andy Johnson (2) joining Mikel Arteta on the scoresheet.

The strikers who did the damage against Brann

That game was a prelude to one of the best performances of the season at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Everton out-played and out-fought Manchester City, scoring twice in the first half through Yakubu and Joleon Lescott.

Despite City's best efforts, the Blues comfortably recorded a highly creditable win that ensured they remained in fourth place at the end of the month.