Is supporting Everton a life of misery - or celebration?

Everton fans have experienced highs and lows since the turn of the century

Everton's unbeaten start to the Premier League season and progress in the Carabao Cup has prompted a minor outbreak of something rarely felt among their fanbase in recent times - optimism.

A move for AS Monaco striker Falorin Balogun fell through when he walked away from the deal after problems with the medical, while Iliman Ndiaye, arguably Everton's best player, was sold to Manchester City for £65m.

Since the turn of the century, Everton are the only club in English football's current top four tiers who have not won a trophy - their last being the 1995 FA Cup triumph against Manchester United at the old Wembley - or been promoted.

It nearly happened this millennium as Everton - last relegated in 1951 - stayed up by beating Bournemouth on the final day of the 2022-23 season. They had only guaranteed safety in the previous campaign by coming from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace in their penultimate game on a night of thunderous sporting theatre at Goodison Park.

Former player Leon Osman, who made 433 appearances for Everton between 2003 and 2016, scoring 58 goals, says: "Yes, there have been disappointments and those years without trophies, but let me tell you this - I wouldn't swap being an Evertonian for anything in the world."

Others who also celebrate supporting Everton include Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canada counterpart Mark Carney, who recently both attended the 1-0 EFL Cup win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Hill Dickinson Stadium that set up a last-16 home tie with Newcastle United.

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Everton fans Andy Burnham and Mark Carney celebrate the winner against Wolves

The statistics that pile pain on Everton and their fans reflect those occasional highs and more regular lows - but always accompanied by fiercely passionate, loyal support and sold-out games, at Goodison Park and the magnificent new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton have been knocked out eight times at the first time of asking in the third round.

In the league since 2000, Everton have failed to win at Chelsea in 27 attempts, won only twice at Manchester United, once at Arsenal and Liverpool and five times at Manchester City. Everton did win an FA Cup fourth-round replay at Stamford Bridge in 2011.