September

A failed medical may have ended David Moyes's pursuit of Fulham midfielder Sean Davis but Evertonians can finally welcome some new faces when, with the transfer deadline about to close, the Blues bring in goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane and Scottish attacker James McFadden - and bring back Francis Jeffers from Arsenal on a season-long loan.

"I can't wait to pull on a blue shirt again," says Jeffers. Mark Pembridge, meanwhile, departs for Fulham.

At 17 years and 317 days, Rooney becomes the youngest player to score a senior goal for England when he strikes the equalising goal in a EURO 2004 qualifying victory over FYR Macedonia. He repeats the trick four days later with England's second goal in a 2-0 win against Liechtenstein.

Back on Merseyside, Goodison Park hosted the England's Under-21 international against Portugal. Everton return to action in the middle of the month with a 2-2 home draw with Newcastle, Duncan Ferguson rescuing a point against his former club with a last-minute penalty.

A 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough follows before McFadden sets about impressing the Goodison faithful with a display of vintage wing play on his debut in the 3-0 Carling Cup defeat of Stockport.

He repeats the feat in the 4-0 league victory over Leeds United four days later - although it is Watson who grabs the headlines with a memorable a hat-trick.