Everton beat Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the 2007/08 Premier League season.
With the new Premier League season looming, HITC Sport is taking a look back at some of the lineups sides put out on the opening day a decade ago.
This time, we are taking a look at what happened to the Everton team that faced Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park on the opening day of the 2007/08 campaign…
Tim Howard
Tim Howard spent around a decade on Everton’s books before leaving in 2016, having made over 400 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions. Now 38, Howard is currently captain of Colorado Rapids in MLS.
Tony Hibbert
Tony Hibbert also left Everton in 2016 after spending 26 years with the Merseyside outfit. The full-back has not found another club and will be fondly remembered for the fact that he never scored a competitive goal in over 300 appearances for the club.
Alan Stubbs
Alan Stubbs would not finish the season as an Everton player, joining Derby County in January 2008. He retired from playing later that year, quickly returning to Goodison Park as a coach. He has since managed Hibernian and Rotherham, leaving the latter in 2016.
Joleon Lescott
Joleon Lescott
It was Joleon Lescott’s Everton spell that really established him as a top flight-calibre defender. He joined Manchester City in 2009 and stayed in 2014, and has since enjoyed disappointing but certainly eventful spells with West Brom, Aston Villa, AEK Athens and Sunderland.
Joseph Yobo
Joseph Yobo would remain at Everton until 2012, subsequently spending two years with Fenerbahce. He returned to England in 2014 for a short loan spell with Norwich City but retired soon after.
Leon Osman
Leon Osman departed Goodison Park in 2016 after making 433 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions. He has since retired from the game. He would score the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Wigan.
Mikel Arteta
After a brilliant spell with Everton, Mikel Arteta moved to Arsenal in 2011. After more than 100 top flight appearances for the Gunners, the Spaniard retired from playing in 2016 and quickly became a member of Pep Guardiola’s backroom team at Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta
Lee Carsley
Lee Carsley was beginning his final season with Everton on the opening day in 2007 as he left for Birmingham the next year. He enjoyed a brief spell at Coventry to end his playing career before serving in various backroom roles for the Sky Blues. He had a brief spell as Brentford’s manager, and worked with Manchester City’s under-18s. He is now back at Birmingham working with the youngsters.
Phil Neville
Phil Neville stayed at Goodison Park until 2013 when he retired from playing. His media career has been overshadowed by the success his brother has enjoyed since switching to analysing the game. He endured a brief spell as Valencia’s assistant coach until 2016, and is co-owner of Salford City.
Andy Johnson
After an underwhelming two-year stay with Everton, Andy Johnson left for Fulham in 2008. He failed to replicate the form he had showed with Crystal Palace previously, finishing his career with a spell at QPR and a short-term contract back at Selhurst Park. He called time on his playing career in 2015.
Victor Anichebe
The man who scored the winner against the Latics a decade ago was Victor Anichebe. He would stay at Everton until 2013 when he joined West Brom. After three years at the Hawthorns, he was reunited with former Toffees boss David Moyes at Sunderland for their relegation season last term. He has now signed for Beijing Enterprises in the Chinese second division.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
