Throughout his time in charge of Preston North End, David Moyes did some highly admirable work.

Under his guidance, the Lancashire outfit were promoted to the First Division in 2000 and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League the following season as they lost out to Bolton Wanderers in final of the playoffs.

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Such a job did not go unnoticed, with the likes of Manchester City, Southampton and West Ham United all rumoured to have been interested in the Scot's services. Also, reports suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to hire Moyes as his assistant at Manchester United.

However, it was an offer from Everton to replace Walter Smith in 2002 that eventually tempted Moyes into the Premier League.

There was to be no settling in period, because just two days after his appointment and 13 years ago today, Moyes's new side, who had won just one of their previous 13 games, took on Fulham at Goodison Park.

Everton had not scored a home goal for some six weeks, yet, with a new man at the helm, it took them a mere 27 seconds to break the deadlock against the West Londoners.

The reinstated Duncan Ferguson picked out Tomasz Radzinski, who in turn found David Unsworth. The Fulham rearguard afforded the versatile defender enough space to fire his shot beyond the reach of visiting goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

It got even better for the home side in the 13th minute as Van der Sar's attempted clearance struck Ferguson. The ball then rebounded kindly for the Scot to roll it into the net from close range.

It was all going so well for Moyes and his new charges, but in the 28th minute, Thomas Gravesen was dismissed by referee Graham Barber for a second bookable offence.

With the numbers in their favour, Fulham laid siege to the Everton goal in the second half. The pressure told just seven minutes after the restart when substitute Barry Hayles crossed for Steed Malbranque to reduce the arrears from close range.

The away side continued to press hard and it was in the 84th minute that it seemed their effort was going to be rewarded. Louis Saha's header beat Steve Simonsen, but Everton were saved by the crossbar.

Reflecting on that encounter with the Daily Mail in 2012, Moyes said: "I was presented as Everton manager late on the Thursday and then the game was Saturday. David Unsworth scored after 27 seconds, Duncan Ferguson got the second on 13 minutes and then Tommy Gravesen got sent off before we'd had half an hour. It was some baptism, but we won.

"I was only young, 38. It was difficult coming into that dressing room but it was important I didn't try to be anyone else. I needed those players to see my belief and desire. I went home exhausted and lay down on the couch. There was a wave of relief - but then it hit me I had another game to think about."

EVERTON: Simonsen; Pistone, Weir, Stubbs, Hibbert; Unsworth (Blomqvist), Carsley, Gemmill, Gravesen; Radzinski (Moore), Ferguson

FULHAM: Van der Sar; Finnan, Melville, Goma (Ouaddou), Brevett; Boa Morte (Hayles), Legwinski (Goldbaek), Collins, Malbranque; Saha, Marlet