History of Everton F.C. to promising young Preston North End manager David Moyes with the task of moving Everton forward after years of underachievement, and he was able to steer the club to safety in the last few games of the season, finishing 15th. In Moyes' first full season in charge, Everton finished seventh in the Premiership and just missed out on a UEFA Cup place in a campaign which was dominated by the emergence of brilliant young striker Wayne Rooney, who came to national prominence with a spectacular last-minute winner against league champions Arsenal, becoming the youngest English league goalscorer ever and Everton's
2001–02 Everton F.C. season 2001–02 Everton F.C. season During the 2001–02 English football season, Everton competed in the FA Premier League. The Everton directors finally lost patience with Walter Smith when they sacked him on 13 March after being knocked out by Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter final as well as their poor league form with only one win in 13 league games which saw them slip down the Premiership table and one point above the relegation zone. Preston boss David Moyes was named as his successor, and did a good job of steering Everton clear of the drop zone – though they