Everton 3 - 0 Norwich City: Tim Howard signs off with clean sheet as Everton end season with win

Everton made a winning start to life after Roberto Martinez as Tim Howard bade farewell with a clean sheet.

Toffees fans had been calling for the Spaniard's head with increasing ferocity and Bill Kenwright finally brought the axe down on Thursday.

Only five home wins in the Premier League this season played a big part in Martinez's demise but David Unsworth and Joe Royle, who were placed in temporary charge, were victorious at the first time of asking as Norwich were dispatched 3-0.

The relegated Canaries certainly did not offer the stiffest opposition and James McCarthy put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute, with Leighton Baines netting a penalty just before half-time.

Kevin Mirallas added the third three minutes after the break as the toxic atmosphere of recent months at Goodison Park was replaced by a stroll in the sunshine.

Howard, making the 414th and final appearance of his decade at Goodison Park, received a standing ovation before the game and was never seriously tested.

The American, who is returning home to join the Colorado Rapids, wrote an emotional farewell letter to fans, saying: "I love all of you, and am so grateful for what the club and everybody affiliated with it has given me."

Unsworth and Royle, who were player and manager when Everton won the FA Cup in 1995, coach the under-21s so it was no surprise that the Everton team had a youthful look about it.

Midfielders Tom Davies, 17, and Kieran Dowell, 18, both made their first starts while Jonjoe Kenny, 19, was given his debut off the bench.

It has been a bad run for both Everton, with one win in their previous 10 games, and leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, who was without a goal in nine.

His lack of confidence was clear as he was played in by Gareth Barry in the 12th minute but shot weakly at John Ruddy, who then pulled off another save to keep out a better effort by the Belgian.

McCarthy, in contrast, is not a man known for his goals but he showed the touch of a striker to put Everton ahead.

Dowell looked like he had dallied on the ball too long but it ran for McCarthy, who did not break stride in finding the corner from 20 yards.

Lukaku found his touch to play through Mirallas, whose shot into the side-netting deceived half of Goodison Park.

But there was no need for the celebrations to be cut short in the 44th minute when Baines calmly netted the second from the penalty spot.

The full-back played a part in the build-up, with his cross set to pick out the head of Lukaku before he went down under a challenge from Robbie Brady.

There did not appear to be too much contact but referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot.

Norwich's only real chance of the first half came when Matt Jarvis shot well over the bar, and it was not until the 65th minute that the winger forced Howard into his first and only meaningful save.

By then Everton were three up, with Dowell, the impressive Davies and Kenny all involved as the latter crossed for Mirallas to tap in.

Howard was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he walked back onto the Goodison Park pitch for a final farewell.

The 37-year-old, whose 352 Premier League appearances make him an Everton record holder, was greeted by the Stars and Stripes and another standing ovation.

Asked about the reception, Howard said: "I expected nothing less. You guys have given me the privilege and honour to play for this amazing club. Since 2006 it's become my life. I'm leaving tomorrow but this will always be my home."

TWEET OF THE MATCH

"Martinez's line that Everton only need a win to match last season would be more persuasive if last season wasn't the worst in over a decade." - Football writer Adam Bate (@ghostgoal) sums up the tenure of former Everton boss Roberto Martinez as the Toffees ended their season on a positive note.

PLAYER RATINGS

Everton

Tim Howard: 6

Matthew Pennington: 6

John Stones: 5

Phil Jagielka: 6

Leighton Baines: 7

Gareth Barry: 7

Kevin Mirallas: 6

Tom Davies: 7

James McCarthy: 6

Kieran Dowell: 7

Romelu Lukaku: 5

Substitutes

Aaron Lennon (on for McCarthy, 53): 6

Ross Barkley (on for Dowell, 69): 6

Jonjoe Kenny (on for Pennington, 29): 6

Norwich

John Ruddy: 6

Ivo Pinto: 5

Ryan Bennett: 4

Russell Martin: 5

Martin Olsson: 5

Graham Dorrans: 5

Gary O'Neil: 6

Nathan Redmond: 5

Steven Naismith: 6

Matt Jarvis: 5

Cameron Jerome: 4

Substitutes

Sebastien Bassong (on for Bennett, 49): 5

Robbie Brady (on for Olsson, 9): 5

Wes Hoolahan (on for Jarvis, 70): 5

STAR MAN

Tom Davies. The 17-year-old impressed on his full debut with a performance full of energy and creativity.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The move for Everton's third goal, which involved all Everton's youngsters and culminated in Jonjoe Kenny crossing for Kevin Mirallas to score.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Everton's interim managers David Unsworth and Joe Royle gave three academy youngsters a start and brought a fourth off the bench early in the first half. Everton's play was more direct than under the sacked Roberto Martinez and there was a no-nonsense approach at the back at times but it was the energy of the youngsters which gave it purpose. Canaries boss Alex Neil spent most of the game watching his players go through the motions.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Norwich's failure to even make it a contest. They may have already been relegated and it may have been the final match of the season but a half-hearted display and some abject defending made life all too comfortable for the hosts.