Howard Kendall's Everton won the title in 1984-85 and again two seasons later. In which year was that second title?

Everton's Second Golden Title Under Howard Kendall

The 1986-87 season stands as one of the finest chapters in Everton's history, delivering the club its second First Division title in three years and cementing Howard Kendall's legacy as one of English football's most gifted managers of the era.

A Dynasty Built at Goodison Park

Kendall's Everton were the dominant force in English football through the mid-1980s. After lifting the title in 1984-85, the club also won the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985. This was a team brimming with quality — Peter Reid marshalling the midfield, Neville Southall commanding the goal, and Kevin Ratcliffe leading a formidable defence. They weren't just winning; they were doing it with authority.

Life Without Lineker

What makes the 1987 triumph particularly compelling is the context surrounding it. Gary Lineker, who had been a key attacking force, had departed for Barcelona in the summer of 1986 following England's World Cup campaign in Mexico. Plenty of observers wondered whether Everton could maintain their standards without him. The answer turned out to be a resounding yes.

Graeme Sharp continued to lead the line effectively, and the team's collective strength more than covered for any individual departure. Kendall had built a squad rather than a collection of stars, and that philosophy paid off handsomely.

The Title Race of 1986-87

Everton were consistent and clinical throughout the campaign, finishing with 86 points under the three-points-for-a-win system. Liverpool, their great Merseyside rivals, pushed them hard — as they almost always did during this period — but Everton held firm. It was a statement title, proving the 1984-85 success was no fluke and that Goodison Park was genuinely one of English football's premier addresses.

Kendall's Bittersweet Exit

Ironically, the triumph came just months before Kendall left the club he had transformed. In the summer of 1987, he departed to take charge of Athletic Bilbao in Spain, leaving Everton at the very peak of their powers. It was a decision that surprised many fans, and the club never quite recaptured that level of sustained success in the years that followed.

The seasons of 1986, 1988 and 1989 all passed without a league title for Everton, underscoring just how special that back-to-back near-dynasty really was.

Why 1987 Matters

The 1986-87 title is a reminder of what Everton once were — a genuine powerhouse capable of matching Liverpool stride for stride. For supporters of a certain generation, that second championship under Kendall remains a touchstone of pride. It wasn't just a trophy; it was proof that a club outside the very biggest financial brackets could still rule English football through smart management, team spirit, and genuine quality.