Baines Picks Up Award

Uber-consistent defender is Club's December player of the month.

Leighton Baines has been rewarded for his unerring consistency by being named Everton's Player of the Month for December.

In what wasn't a great month in terms of points gained, Baines was his ever-reliable self.

The highlight of the month for the England man was his crucial penalty at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day.

With the Blues trailing to Jack Colbeck's deflected opener, Baines kept his cool to slot from the spot and earn his side a good point against Martin O'Neill's resurgent Sunderland.

Aside from that he performed well in narrow defeats to Stoke and Arsenal as well as the draw with Norwich and the win over Sunderland.

Baines collected his award on Thursday lunchtime at a special lunch at the Hilton hotel in Liverpool. The event, sponsored by SE Investments, was attended by 120 business luminaries and club partners, who all enjoyed a meal and the chance to meet the Blues' left back.

Baines told evertontv: "It's always nice to pick up little things like this along the way so I'm pleased to get it. It's been a difficult season for us though really.

"There hasn't been that real continuity in terms of performances and results and that's something that individually and collectively we're looking to put right in this second half of the season."

For more info about Player of the Month lunches, click here.

Leighton Baines with the December player of the month prize