Everton's Premier League campaign began in August 2013 with Martínez changing their style of play to a possession based, attractive brand of football which initially led to three successive draws to start the season.

[4] A first victory came in the next match 1–0 against Chelsea and by Christmas Everton had only suffered one defeat, a run which included a win over Moyes' Manchester United, the first time the club had tasted success at Old Trafford in 21 years.

Everton announced on 25 May 2013 that the club would be competing in the inaugural edition of the International Champions Cup, based in venues across the United States and in one European city, and held between 27 July and 7 August 2013.

[19] New striker Lukaku continued his early form for the club by scoring two goals in the next league game against Newcastle United in a match where Everton led 3–0 at half-time and survived a second half comeback to win 3–2.

[23] Everton began the month with a 0–0 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur which meant the club had only suffered one defeat from their opening 10 games in successive seasons for the first time in its history.

Romelu Lukaku continued his impressive start to the season by scoring his eighth goal in ten games as Everton finished the month in the Champions League places.

[30] The club then suffered a setback to bottom of the table Sunderland, losing at home in the league for the first time in a year, after Tim Howard conceded an early penalty and was sent off in the 25th minute.

[32] The new year began with Everton travelling to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City and they earned a 1–1 draw courtesy of a stoppage time Leighton Baines penalty.

[33] A comfortable progression into the fourth round of the FA Cup followed by beating Championship side Queens Park Rangers 4–0 with striker Nikica Jelavić scoring his first goals of the season.

[35] The club then saw off League One side Stevenage 4–0 to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup,[36] but then suffered their biggest derby defeat since 1982 as Liverpool thrashed them 4–0 at Anfield.

[42] Everton lost for the second time in three games as Tottenham Hotspur defeated them 1–0 at White Hart Lane,[43] but their form in the FA Cup continued with a 3–1 home success over Swansea City to reach the quarter-finals.

[45] Romelu Lukaku returned from an ankle injury to score a late goal in a 1–0 win over West Ham United to begin March,[46] but Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup following a 4–1 defeat to Arsenal which means the club have now failed to beat the Gunners in the last 20 away meetings.

[47] Séamus Coleman's miscued shot in the last minute of the next game against Cardiff City ensured Everton responded with a 2–1 victory to be placed sixth in the table.

[48] The club then won four league games in a row for the first time in six years by defeating Newcastle United 3–0 thanks to an amazing solo goal from Ross Barkley who dribbled from inside his own half to score the opener.

[55] However, Everton then lost 2–0 against Southampton (with own goals from Antolín Alcaraz and Séamus Coleman) and 3–2 to Manchester City to end their chances of finishing the campaign in fourth place.

[56] Before the Manchester City game there had been rumours that Everton would not try 100% or field a weakened side as any positive result would give rivals Liverpool the impetus in the race for the title.