Everton's tumultuous season has ended on a bright note as they beat already-relegated Norwich City at Goodison Park.
The Toffees, who had David Unsworth and Joe Royle in temporary charge following the sacking of Roberto Martinez, started strongly as Romelu Lukaku tested John Ruddy in the opening minutes.
© AFP
Norwich could have taken the lead when Ivo Pinto's cross saw Phil Jagielka stab the ball just wide of his own goal.
However, it was the Blues who broke the deadlock on 19 minutes as young midfielder Kieran Dowell teed up James McCarthy and the Irish international left Ruddy well beaten from 20 yards out.
Lukaku, who appeared intent on finishing this season with a goal in front of the Goodison faithful, came close to providing a second as he set up Kevin Mirallas, only for his Belgian counterpart to find the side-netting.
With half time approaching, Everton were awarded a penalty after Robbie Brady was adjudged to have pulled back Lukaku.
Leighton Baines stepped up and tucked away the spot kick as the Toffees looked to put Norwich to the sword.
Within moments of the restart, Mirallas had atoned for his earlier miss, tapping home after good build-up play from Dowell and fellow teenager Tom Davies.
Norwich tried to reduce the arrears but Brady saw his strike blocked by Tim Howard in his final appearance before moving to Major League Soccer.
However, it was Everton, still searching for a permanent manager, who finished the season on a high and take 11th place in the final standings.
Chris O'Keefe
