As this decade nears to a close, we delve into the archives to determine the best Everton goals, from the rest.
From 2010 onwards, The Toffees have scored 717 goals in all competitions, but which of these makes our top 10 of the decade?
10: Jermaine Beckford Vs. Chelsea (H) – 22/05/11
Coming in at a respective 10th place is Jermaine Beckford’s stunning solo goal at home to Chelsea.
The Toffees were forced to play most of the second-half a man down after Seamus Coleman was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on John Obi Mikel.
Because of this, Beckford’s goal was all the more vital as the striker broke clear near the halfway-line before calmly chipping over Petr Cech in the 74th minute, securing a 1-0 win for the Blues.
This goal and subsequent Everton win, was poignant in costing Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti his job in the aftermath of the Goodison Park clash.
9: Steven Pienaar Vs. Arsenal (A) – 09/01/2010
Next up is a goal from right at the start of the decade, away at the Emirates Stadium.
Steven Pienaar raced through in the 81st minute and finished with a delightful dink over Manuel Almunia, swinging the game in The Blues’ favour.
But, it wasn’t to be Everton’s day as substitute Tomas Rosicky scored an injury-time equaliser to rescue a point for the Gunners.
8: Lucas Digne Vs. Lincoln City (A) – 28/08/19
The most recently scored goal on our countdown comes courtesy of a Lucas Digne set-piece.
As The Blues went behind after just 20 seconds, to Lincoln City, the France international’s free-kick soared past Grant Smith in spectacular fashion to level the scores.
Everton went on to win 4-2 at Sincil Bank and progress in the Carabao Cup.
7: Leighton Baines Vs. Newcastle United (A) – 02/01/13
Coming in at number 7 is Everton stalwart Leighton Baines, and one of his trademark free-kicks from his abundant portfolio.
Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse opened the scoring before Baines’ long-range set-piece sailed past Tim Krul just before the half-time whistle.
The strike left the Dutchman with no chance, as Newcastle’s shot-stopper was rooted to the spot.
Everton went on to win the Premier League clash 2-1 by virtue of a Victor Anichebe goal, scoring as an inspired David Moyes substitution.
6: Gylfi Sigurdsson Vs. Leicester City (A) – 06/10/18
Last season, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s stunning second-half strike gave Everton a 2-1 win against 10-man Leicester.
The Toffees’ playmaker struck in the 77th minute, skilfully turning away from James Maddison, in a Cruyff-esque fashion, before bending an effort from 25 yards into the top-left corner.
Despite the Icelandic’s outstanding strike, many an Evertonian were left perplexed at the goal’s omission from Match Of The Day’s ‘goal of the season’ competition.
5: Leon Osman Vs. Manchester City (H) – 16/03/13
Into our top five now, and it’s one-club man Leon Osman who makes the grade with his speculative effort against Manchester City.
The ball trickled through to Osman and he thumped it with his weak-foot towards the Park End, as it curled past Joe Hart to put Everton 1-0 up against the Citizens.
Manchester City were unable to reply and substitute Nikica Jelavic’s superb breakaway injury-time effort rounded off a perfect afternoon for The Toffees.
4: Romelu Lukaku Vs. Chelsea (H) – 12/03/16
Romelu Lukaku – the ex-Chelsea man – was the difference in this Goodison Park encounter.
His stunning solo goal opened the scoring, as he weaved through numerous Chelsea defenders from the left flank before turning Gary Cahill inside-out and nonchalantly slotting the ball home.
Five minutes later, the Belgian doubled The Toffees’ lead to cement their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
3: Leighton Baines Vs. West Ham United (A) – 21/09/13
Another Leighton Baines free-kick makes the cut, with this one creeping into the top three.
Away at Upton Park, the set-piece specialist scored not one, but two free-kicks in one game.
The first of the two was brilliant, but to then score a second in one game was utterly audacious.
Baines floated the ball onto Jussi Jaaskelainen’s left-hand side and it pinged in off the post leaving the Finn with absolutely no chance.
2: Wayne Rooney Vs. West Ham United (H) – 30/11/17
Our penultimate goal of the decade goes to Everton legend Wayne Rooney, on his return to his boyhood club.
With Joe Hart off his line, and under instruction from the Goodison faithful, Rooney thumped the ball home from almost 60 yards to catch the Hammers’ keeper completely unawares.
1: Phil Jagielka Vs. Liverpool (A) – 27/09/14
And finally, could it be any other goal?
Phil Jagielka. Injury-time. Equaliser. Screamer. Kop end.
Need I say more?
If you enjoyed Everton’s goals of the decade, have a read of our Everton team of the decade, here.
(Picture courtesy of Aleksandr Opinov, under Creative Commons license)
