The 2002-03 Everton F.C. season was Everton's 11th season in the Premier League (known as the Barclaycard Premiership for sponsorship reasons), and their 49th consecutive season in the top division of English football. This meant that they became the first club to play 100 seasons in the top flight.
Season summary After spending the last few seasons struggling against relegation, Everton, revitalised under David Moyes, spent the season challenging for European qualification, at one stage going ahead of arch-rivals Liverpool, who had finished runners-up the previous season. Everton memorably ended Arsenal's unbeaten run in a match at Goodison Park which saw teenage striker Wayne Rooney score the winner, his debut Premiership goal. Rooney was later nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, but lost to Newcastle United's Jermaine Jenas.
The club had less luck in the FA Cup. They were surprisingly knocked out by Third Division (now League Two) side Shrewsbury Town in the third round.
Final league table
Results WinDrawLoss
Premier League DateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendanceRefereeTottenham HotspurHome2–2Pembridge 37', Radzinski 81'40,120BarrySunderlandAway1–0Campbell 28'37,698StylesBirmingham CityHome1–1Cunningham 90' (o.g.)37,197WolstenholmeManchester CityAway1–3Unsworth 31' (pen.)34,835KnightSouthamptonAway0–129,190BennettMiddlesbroughHome2–1Campbell 33', 77'32,240MessiasAston VillaAway2–3Radzinski 50', Campbell 65'30,023WinterFulhamHome2–0Gravesen 45', Campbell 45'34,371DunnManchester UnitedAway0–367,629RileyArsenalHome2–1Radzinski 22', Rooney 90'39,038RennieWest Ham UnitedAway1–0Carsley 70'34,117WileyLeeds UnitedAway1–0Rooney 80'40,161BarryCharlton AthleticHome1–0Radzinski 31'37,621StylesBlackburn RoversAway1–0Campbell 19'26,496PollWest Bromwich AlbionHome1–0Radzinski 35'40,113WinterNewcastle UnitedAway1–2Campbell 17'51,607HalseyChelseaHome1–3Naysmith 44'39,396WolstenholmeBlackburn RoversHome2–1Carsley 12', Rooney 25'36,578BarberLiverpoolAway0–044,025PollBirmingham CityAway1–1Radzinski 45'29,505EllerayBolton WanderersHome0–039,480GallagherManchester CityHome2–2Watson 6', Radzinski 90'40,163D'UrsoTottenham HotspurAway3–4McBride 10', Watson 58', Radzinski 74'36,070DunnSunderlandHome2–1McBride 51', 57'37,409DowdBolton WanderersAway2–1Watson 33', 38'25,119StylesLeeds UnitedHome2–0Unsworth 56' (pen.), Radzinski 68'40,153HalseyCharlton AthleticAway1–2McBride 69'26,623WinterSouthamptonHome2–1Radzinski 85', 90+2'36,569EllerayMiddlesbroughAway1–1Watson 23'32,473RennieWest Ham UnitedHome0–040,158HalseyArsenalAway1–2Rooney 56'38,042WileyNewcastle UnitedHome2–1Rooney 18', Unsworth 65' (pen.)40,031BarryWest Bromwich AlbionAway2–1Weir 22', Campbell 45'27,039BennettLiverpoolHome1–2Unsworth 58' (pen.)40,162DurkinChelseaAway1–4Carsley 77'40,875RileyAston VillaHome2–1Campbell 59', Rooney 90'40,167PollFulhamAway0–218,385BarberManchester UnitedHome1–2Campbell 8'40,168Riley
FA Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendanceRefereeThird roundShrewsbury TownAway1–2Alexandersson 60'7,800Dunn
League Cup RoundDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendanceRefereeSecond roundWrexhamAway3–0Campbell 25', Rooney 83', 89'13,428KayeThird roundNewcastle UnitedHome3–3 Campbell 11', Watson 85', Unsworth 112' (pen.)34,584RileyFourth roundChelseaAway1–4Naysmith 80'32,322Durkin
First-team squad
Left club during season
Reserve squad
Statistics Appearances and goals
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards
! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Players transferred out during the season
References