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Choosing the best goals that Everton have scored over the last nine months is one of the trickier end of season lists to compile. In total, the Toffees scored 76 times in the Premier League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup, and there are dozens of goals that stick in memory because of brilliance, or significance, or a combination of the two.
Still, we've done our best to whittle down the candidates, so read on to find out which goals that we picked as the best of the last campaign.
Did we miss any goals that should have made the cut? Let us know in the comments below.
5. Ross Barkley vs. Newcastle United
You could probably make a top five list comprised of just Ross Barkley's goals this season, but we've settled for two here. The first is the young midfielder's solo strike against Newcastle at St James' Park, a goal that began with Everton defending a corner. A strong header away found its way to Gerard Deulofeu, and the winger's excellent chest down released Barkley. With fully 70 yards to goal, he sprinted forward, powering ahead despite the arrival of other attacking runners.
With his teammates screaming for the ball, Barkley cut across the penalty area, leaving Fabricio Coloccini on his backside, before rifling a left-footed shot into the roof of the net. Questions could be asked about the Newcastle defending (or lack thereof), but to do so would be to take away from the athletic brilliance of the strike. Indeed, perhaps the best thing about the strike was that it was a ‘Barkley goal'. Players score screamers all the time, but the combination of pace, power and finesse displayed by the young man made this effort all the more special.
4. Seamus Coleman vs. Southampton
Everton's player of the season had a superb time in front of goal this year, scoring on seven occasions and beating his previous best return of six goals - whilst playing in a far more defensive role too, it should be noted. Some were scuffs or tap-ins (no complaints here, they all count) but a couple really stood out. Coleman's strike against Swansea, a swerving, venomous drive from outside the penalty area, was superb, but the Irishman's goal against Southampton was even better.
Demonstrating everything that was so fantastic about Coleman's attacking play this year, the goal saw the right back pick up the ball just inside the opposition half, quickly moving up toward the edge of the penalty area. Shadowed by James Ward-Prowse, Coleman slowed before exploding past his marker, driving and then cutting inside with just three touches, before firing a rocket of a shot into the top corner from a tight angle. An incredible season encapsulated in an incredible goal.
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3. Leighton Baines vs. West Ham United
It's no wonder that teams dread giving away free kicks against Everton. There's an argument for the Toffees having the best collection of dead ball specialists in the Premier League, and with Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Leighton Baines all scoring spectacular strikes during the last campaign it's easy to see why. The pick of the bunch however, goes to Baines, whose brace of phenomenal free kicks helped Everton secure their away win against West Ham United early in the season.
Both efforts were sublime, but we've plumped for the second for a couple of reasons. The first is that it's a flawless strike; sailing goalward and pinging off the post as Jussi Jaaskelainen looks on, dumbstruck. The second is that it was just that: the second. The sheer audacity and brilliance of beating the Hammers keeper twice, in both corners of the goal, merits this free kick's place on the list.
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2. Ross Barkley vs. Manchester City
This would later be described as Barkley's ‘Rooney Moment', but whereas the now-Manchester United striker's goal against Arsenal announced him to the world out of what felt like nowhere, Barkley's magnificent strike against Manchester City confirmed what everyone already knew: that the young Evertonian is fast becoming a fully-fledged superstar.
Steven Naismith deserves credit for his perfectly weighted lay off, but really it was all about Barkley's strike. First time, 25 yards out, he whipped a ferocious, dipping effort into the far corner as if it was the most natural thing in the world. City's Joe Hart was helpless, beaten by the power and movement on the ball, and Barkley celebrated wildly in front of a watching Roy Hodgson. Few will be surprised if he produces a similarly magical strike in Brazil.
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1. Bryan Oviedo vs. Manchester United
Our number one pick won't win any prizes for aesthetics, but really, who cares? It's the last five minutes at Old Trafford. The score is 0-0 but Everton are pressing David Moyes' United side, searching for their first win at the ground in over two decades. Kevin Mirallas has just hit the bar with a free kick, and the Blues are camped outside the opposition penalty area.
A forceful Phil Jagielka pass into Romelu Lukaku bobbles against the striker's knee, but he gets it under control and takes a wild swing whilst holding off former Toffee Marouane Fellaini. It's a dragged shot though, and it skids across the six-yard box, destined to nuzzle against the corner flag. Except that Bryan Oviedo, the left back who is only playing because of Leighton Baines' injury, has gambled, and made a run to the back post. Antonio Valencia spots him but it's too late. Oviedo meets the ball and with a precise, implausibly cool strike, and fires Everton to victory. History in the making.
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