The 2009 FA Cup final was the closest David Moyes came to winning silverware during his 11 years as manager of Everton.
Louis Saha celebrates scoring for Everton in the FA Cup final
The 2009 FA Cup final is the only cup final Everton have reached in the last 20 years, and the closest long serving manager David Moyes came to winning silverware during his time at Goodison Park.
Louis Saha sent the Toffees into a 1-0 lead after just 25 seconds, but Wembley specialists Chelsea fought back through goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to claim their second FA Cup in three years.
Only one man who started for Everton that day is in Ronald Koeman’s current squad, although a few were released as recently as the end of last season. The XI includes players now playing for the likes of AEK Athens, Colorado Rapids and Manchester United.
Tim Howard
USMNT international Tim Howard has racked up 111 caps for his country and played 414 games over the course of a decade at Goodison Park, scoring one goal. Ever-dependable, arguably up until his final season, Howard is now back in the MLS, starring for Colorado Rapids.
Tony Hibbert
Everton favourite Tony Hibbert joined the Toffees as a 9-year-old and left in the summer as a 35-year-old. His 26 years at the club and 16 years in the first team ended bitterly, with the full-back only finding out about his release via Everton’s official website.
The one-club man made a total of 328 appearances for the club, although very few came after the 2011/12 season. An avid fisher, Hibbert hasn’t officially retired but seemingly hasn’t sought to join another club, and may be enjoying his time at his 33 acre carp fishery on the outskirts of Reims in France.
Joseph Yobo
A long servant to Everton, although not as long as Hibbert, Joseph Yobo spent 9 years at Goodison Park, making more than 250 appearances. The joint most capped Nigerian footballer of all-time, Yobo later played for Fenerbahce and Norwich, before hanging up his boots in 2014.
Joleon Lescott
Aston Villa fans hold up a banner directed at Joleon Lescott
Brilliant at Everton, average at Manchester City and disastrous at Aston Villa, Everton’s signing of Joleon Lescott from Wolves for £5 million proved to be an excellent piece of business.
The Toffees got 3 excellent years out of the centre-back before cashing in for £22 million when he joined Manchester City. The former England international is now playing his football in Greece with AEK Athens.
Leighton Baines
Now in his tenth season at Goodison Park and on course to receive a testimonial at Everton, Leighton Baines has consistently been among the best full-backs in the Premier League, although injuries have seen his form tail off somewhat in the last few seasons.
Leon Osman
Similarly to Tony Hibbert, Leon Osman is virtually a one-club man (barring loan moves) who spent 16 years in the Toffees first team, only to find out about his release via the club website. The 35-year-old won 2 caps for England during 2012/13 and played a total of 433 games for Everton. He is still a free agent following his release.
Phil Neville
Criticised at times during his 10 years at Manchester United, Phil Neville wasn’t the most technically gifted of footballers but really grew into the role he was given at Everton. Having joined David Moyes’ men at 28, he went on to play almost as many games for the blue side of Merseyside as he did the red side of Manchester. Neville now works as Valencia’s assistant manager, Salford City’s co-owner and a pundit.
Steven Pienaar
Steven Pienaar now plays for struggling Sunderland
Capable of playing as either a winger or as an attacking midfielder, Steven Pienaar had 4 separate spells at Everton, 2 as a loanee and 2 as a permanent signing. His first 3 year stint after signing on a permanent deal from Borussia Dortmund was arguably the most impressive. Now aged 34, Pienaar linked up with David Moyes once again at Sunderland, joining the Black Cats on a free transfer.
Tim Cahill
Everton favourite Tim Cahill was a great servant to the Toffees and many supporters would have been happy to see him remain at Goodison for a few more years. Renowned for his excellent heading ability despite standing at just 5’10”, Cahill scored 68 goals in 278 games for the club, the majority from midfield.
Aged 36 and still playing for Australia, for whom he is the all-time leading goal scorer, the former Millwall man has bagged a superb 48 goals in 94 caps for his country. Having left Everton in 2012, Cahill has since played in the US and China, before heading home to Australia in the summer, now playing for Melbourne City.
Marouane Fellaini
It’s worth remembering that Marouane Fellaini was very good in an Everton shirt, as his worth to a team may have been forgotten given his last 3 years at Manchester United. A Moyes favourite, the Scotsman bought Fellaini for £15 million at Everton and £27.5 million at Manchester United. The big Belgian is still at Manchester United but certainly isn’t playing his best football.
Louis Saha
Aged 38, Louis Saha is now retired
Everton’s goal scorer in the final after just 25 seconds, Saha spent 4 years at Everton, having joined the club after 4 years at Manchester United. During his time at Goodison, the former France international scored 35 goals in 115 games. Having retired in 2013, Saha now appears in occasional media and TV work, and was a part of ITV’s coverage of the 2016 European Championship’s.
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