Burnley accepted £300,000 for the 19-year-old Steven who joined Everton in the summer of 1983. He made his debut at the beginning of the following season, which proved a campaign for Kendall's men. Despite finishing in 7th position in the Football League Championship, someway behind eventual champions, Liverpool, the season was saved – as was Kendall's job – by two excellent cup runs. In the League Cup final at Wembley, the Merseyside clubs drew 0–0 before Liverpool won the replay by a single Graeme Souness goal. Steven was not selected by Kendall, but by the time Everton lined back up at Wembley for the FA Cup final two months later, he was in the team.