Everton ended the season in impressive style, lifting morale around Goodison Park by beating Norwich City 3-0.
Following the disappointing midweek loss to Sunderland for Everton and the awful run of poor form they decided to part company with manager Roberto Martinez. Plenty of names have been linked with the job, however for now David Unsworth and Joe Royle were trusted with the duty of leading the team in the last game of the season.
There was an early chance for Everton as after just thirty seconds a long ball forward saw Romelu Lukaku run in behind the Norwich defence, his volley across goal saw John Ruddy pounce on the ball.
Norwich started to cause problems and they managed trouble Tim Howard just before the ten minute mark. Ivo Pinto found space out wide and his cross from the right saw Phil Jagielka poke the ball towards his own goal, luckily for the Everton captain Howard was alert and managed to turn the ball wide for a corner.
After the ten minute mark Lukaku had two excellent chances to open the scoring, Gareth Barry won possession out wide and his pass into Lukaku saw the Belgian forward guide his effort towards the bottom corner, Ruddy however was able to deny him once more. Regardless of his save Ruddy was forced into action straight away, Kevin Mirallas picked up the rebound and played the ball back to Lukaku, another curling attempt saw Ruddy palm the shot out for a corner.
Although Everton were on top Norwich were able to cause the Everton defence issues and their second chance of the game saw a flick on fall to Cameron Jerome, the forward was baring down on goal until John Stones came across to make the all important challenge.
Everton cruised into a two goal lead
The Norwich forward soon had another chance this time an excellent ball into the area picked him out at the back post, fortunately for the home side his header was rather tame and was directed straight at Howard.
Howard was quick to get Everton attacking again and his side was rewarded, youngster Kieran Dowell surged forward from inside his half and despite looking like he was about to lose possession he was able to poke the ball perfectly for James McCarthy who was charging forward, the midfielder blasted an effort from twenty yards and it flew past the helpless Ruddy.
On the half hour mark Everton almost doubled their lead, Barry won possession in midfield and instantly played the ball forward to Lukaku, the striker then played a perfectly weighted pass through to Mirallas and his effort narrowly flew wide and struck the side netting.
After the scare from Mirallas, Norwich were able to sustain some pressure on the Everton defence and they almost found a breakthrough a couple of times, the closest came through Nathan Redmond, the winger inside from the left, managed to beat Jonjo Kenny and his effort curled over.
Just before half time Everton were given the chance to double their lead, a delivery into the area from Barry picked out Lukaku, however as he run towards the ball for the header Robert Brady pulled him back and a penalty was awarded. Leighton Baines stepped up and calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom left corner.
Toffees punish the Canaries
Norwich seemed helpless as Everton ran riot and early in the second half their problems worsened as the home side quickly made it three. After winning the ball back Dowell came forward with the ball before playing it wide to McCarthy, Kenny made an overlapping run and after receiving the ball the young full back provided a great ball across the goal and found an open Mirallas for an easy tap in at the back post.
Norwich struggled to break down the Everton defence and the chances were hard to come by, however from a corner Jerome made a run to the near post and directed a header just over the bar.
The chance of the game for Norwich fell to Brady as a deep cross finds him at the back post and his effort was well saved by the foot of Howard.
The home side were enjoying their football and they had a chance to increase their lead with just under twenty minutes remaining. Ross Barkley picked up the ball on the edge of the area and played it through to Aaron Lennon, the winger returned the ball to Barkley and unfortunately for him it was fired into him and he couldn't guide an effort past Ruddy who managed to save.
Moments later the England midfielder turned and charged into the Norwich half, after going down on the edge of the area he managed to keep possession and get an effort on target, it was a tough angle and the strike went straight to Ruddy.
The game's entertainment dropped off towards the end as Norwich seemed to have given up and Everton were happy to play the ball around and give their fans a good showing for the last game of the season.
The result sees Norwich finish second from bottom after Newcastle United's victory over Tottenham Hotspur and for Everton they confirmed eleventh place following the emphatic win.