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Everton to finish above Liverpool again? MERSEY BEAT

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It was the year when George VI became king and Neville Chamberlain was elected Prime Minister; it was also the year Dame Shirley Bassey was born and 999 was introduced ats the emergency telephone number.

1937 was a significant year in British history and it was also a notable one in the narrative of Merseyside football – it was the last time Everton finished ahead of Liverpool in the top flight league table for two consecutive seasons.

That is an extraordinary statistic, particularly when you consider some of the fabulous sides from Everton's past, such as the one that contained the Holy Trinity of Ball, Kendall and Harvey in the 1960s, and the mid-1980s vintage that won two league titles, an FA Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup.

Been a while: Everton last finished above Liverpool in successive top flight seasons in 1936 (Dixie Dean, pictured) and 1937

But, as strange though it may be, not since Everton’s respective finishes of 16th (1936) and 17th (1937) under Theo Kelly bettered Liverpool’s placing of 17th and 18th has Blue been the successively dominant colour on Merseyside.

Which begs the question: is that sequence about to end?

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After Liverpool spent £100million last summer, Everton boss David Moyes harboured no expectations that his side would outperform their neighbours over 38 matches but, despite losing both derby games and the FA Cup semi-final, that is precisely what they did.

Liverpool’s implosion in the second half of the campaign coincided with Everton finding their form and the impact of January arrivals Nikica Jelavic and Darron Gibson, as well as loanees Steven Pienaar and Landon Donovan, created significant momentum.

Now, following wildly different results for both teams on the opening weekend, there is a quiet belief amongst Evertonians that the immediate advantage they have opened up over Liverpool thanks to a striking win over Manchester United will remain come May 19.

It is not hard to see where confidence comes from. If Everton’s fortunes in the transfer market last summer were dispiriting, this time around they have been assured, and the return of Pienaar, coupled with the additions of Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas, augur well.

Ideally, Moyes will make another addition before the window closes – he needs to bolster his midfield and is pursuing different options – and if he can do that, Everton will be well equipped for the battles that lie ahead.

'We want to keep progressing,' said Moyes. 'I see clubs who are supposed to be skint still spending money. Everyone here is still feeling good after the way we finished last season and we have still got the same group of players.

Different days: Everton made a flying start to the Premier League campaign, while Liverpool were humiliated at West Brom

'I think that we have got quite a good team, one that can compete. We are a little short of numbers but we have got good young players coming into the team and we will continue to promote them when we can. I hope that we can continue to build.'

Moyes may have sold Jack Rodwell to Manchester City but the fact he managed to keep hold of Marouane Fellaini, who was a target for Chelsea and Paris St Germain, and Leighton Baines in this window was noteworthy.

Good business: David Moyes has made all the right noises this summer

Their influence in this team is crucial and the widespread feeling around Goodison is that this will be the campaign when Fellaini really blossoms. His start against Manchester United, scoring and dominating, could hardly have been more impressive.

Similar sentiments apply to the team. If Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is expecting a campaign of transition at Anfield, as he tries to establish his philosophy, Moyes – who has entered the final year of his contract – will be looking for Everton to make familiarity pay.

His is a settled side, one that knows how to fight, plays good football and never fails to rattle the big teams when they come up against them. Should they build up a head of steam in the first few weeks, Liverpool could find it difficult to peg them back.

'If Liverpool have had a stranglehold over Everton in the past, it won't go on forever,’ Moyes said before a Goodison Park derby in April 2003. ‘Whether we are yet ready to turn it round, I don't know, but I hope we will be at some stage.’

He, more than anyone, will be hoping that stage has now finally arrived.

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