Everton - News

Everton's new manager Sean Dyche will start his reign with the visit of Premier League leaders Arsenal to Goodison Park next Saturday.

It is fitting that Dyche begins the Everton recovery process with the season's toughest task, because trying to beat an Arsenal team that have lost only once in the league this season will be a swift and sharp reminder of just what a formidable task he has taken on.

Everton lie 19th in the Premier League with just three wins and 15 points from 20 games, while there is dysfunction and toxicity off the field with fans protesting against owner Farhad Moshiri as well as demanding the removal of the club's board.

Dyche's in-tray will be overflowing - so what are the key tasks facing the latest incumbent of the Everton manager's office?

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/9DC9/production/_128439304_gettyimages-1239825676.jpg
Everton had eight different permanent managers during Sean Dyche's 10-year stay at Burnley

45m for Gordon? The world's gone mad.
65 Apps and 7 goals.

Duncan Ferguson: Boycotting Scotland was 'my biggest football regret'..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/6D34/production/_128565972_whatsubject.jpg

Former Everton, Newcastle and Rangers striker Duncan Ferguson says refusing to play international football after a fall out with the Scottish FA (SFA) was the "biggest regret in my career".

Ferguson, from Stirling, scored 124 goals in 423 club appearances and picked up seven international caps. However, he quit the national side from 1997 onwards, missing out on the 1998 World Cup in France.

The forward's decision to make himself unavailable was in protest at the SFA's decision to ban him for 12 matches following a headbutt on Raith Rovers defender Jock McStay - an incident which led to him serving 44 days in prison.

Speaking to Tony Bellew in the latest episode of the Evertonian boxer's BBC Sounds podcast, the newly appointed Forest Green Rovers manager blamed his "pig-headedness" for his exile.

"When I came out of prison, the SFA asked me to serve another 12-game ban," Ferguson said.

"I had to then go to the courts, to fight my case and say 'look, this is like double jeopardy, or whatever it's called'...

"I actually won my case... but the SFA wanted me to serve [that] ban, so I got the hump.

"It's the biggest regret in my career, not playing for my country."

Ferguson maintains the headbutt which led to his imprisonment was "a nothing incident", telling Bellew both he and McStay played the remainder of the game at Ibrox, with the striker scoring later in the contest.

However, it was deemed to breach his probation conditions, which had been set after he was charged for assault three times previously.

Nevertheless, he admits he wishes he had not held a grudge against the SFA. "I got the hump. I regret [that] now because I should have played 200 times for Scotland," Ferguson said.

"They asked me every year for 14 years. Every year up to when I was 34. Ally McCoist called me up late at night [saying] 'come back big man, we're playing Italy, you'll play'.

"When Walter [Smith] was the manager, I was tempted, because I loved Walter. I was just pig-headed. I'd put the line in the sand and that was it."

Ferguson's career was dogged by injury, as well as controversy. He was sent off eight times in the Premier League, including six straight reds.

'I could have controlled myself a bit better'
In 2004, he elbowed Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson in the face. The same year, he served a four-match ban for throttling Leicester's Steffen Freund.

Two years later, Ferguson was banned for shoving Wigan's Pascal Chimbonda in the face just before he was sent off for hitting Paul Scharner.

Off the field, alongside his charges for assault, he tackled two burglars at his home in Ormskirk in 2001, hospitalising one of the men.

However, Ferguson tells Bellew he believes his reputation as an angry individual is unwarranted.

"A lot of stupid red cards I got in my career really," he says. "It takes you a night to gain a reputation and a lifetime to get rid of it. I had one or two problems off the field when I was 18. Maybe I could have controlled myself a little bit better."

After retiring from playing in 2006, Ferguson returned to Everton to work within the club's academy at Finch Farm, initially on a voluntary basis. He has since had two spells as caretaker manager of the men's senior team.

In the podcast, Ferguson speaks with Bellew about his love for coaching.

"I loved it since I started doing it. I came through the Everton academy. I've done the hard yards," he says. "I love being with the kids, I always did. I've got fun in me and I'm a positive guy - that's the way I take my coaching."

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15CE0/production/_128721398_-769105bd-cec1-47a1-a3dd-8e038d177b5e.png

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 28, is close to signing a new contract with Everton.

Sean Dyche completes first Everton transfer as flop offloaded to European club in £30m deal..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/27FE/production/_128883201_kean-main.jpg

Everton have completed their first transfer since Sean Dyche became manager on January 30th, with striker Moise Kean leaving the club for Juventus on a permanent basis.

Italy striker Moise Kean has rejoined Juventus from Everton on a permanent deal for 28m euros (£25m).

The 23-year-old has been on loan at the Serie A club for the past two seasons and Juventus have followed through on their obligation to buy the forward.

The fee, which includes £2.5m in bonuses, was agreed in August 2021.

Kean, who has won 12 Italy caps, joined the Toffees for an initial £25m in 2019 but managed only four goals in 39 games in all competitions.

He also spent a season on loan at Paris St-Germain, where he scored 17 goals in 41 games and won the French Cup.

Kean has scored 13 goals in 74 matches for Juventus and has won two league titles and the Coppa Italia.

On Sunday he was sent off 40 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Roma.

Kean initially joined Juventus as a 10-year-old and made his first-team debut aged just 16 in 2016.

Juventus are eighth in Serie A after being deducted 15 points in January following an investigation into the club's past transfer dealings.

The deal is Everton's second significant sale of the year after forward Anthony Gordon joined Newcastle for £45m in January.

Everton: Premier League refers club to independent commission over alleged breach of financial rules..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/AD49/production/_129116344_gettyimages-1248021895-1.jpg

Everton have been referred to an independent commission by the Premier League over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules.

The Premier League did not reveal the specifics of the club's alleged breach, other than saying it occurred in the period ending with the 2021-22 season.

However, Everton have posted financial losses in several recent seasons.

The Toffees denied wrongdoing and said they were "prepared to robustly defend" their position.

In their statement, Everton added: "The club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations.

"The club has, over several years, provided information to the Premier League in an open and transparent manner and has consciously chosen to act with the utmost good faith at all times."

In March 2022, Everton announced losses of £120.9m for the 2020-21 season.

That meant losses over a period of three years totalled £372m - more than three times the £105m permitted under Premier League rules.

The club said they remained "in a secure financial position" thanks to owner Farhad Moshiri - and blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for part of the losses.

Everton are also in the process of building their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

They remain in a perilous position in the top flight, sitting 15th in the table - two points above the relegation zone.

Last year, rivals Leeds and Burnley wrote to the Premier League asking for Everton's accounts to be independently investigated, although they later dropped their threat of legal action.

The two clubs had been advised Everton complied with profit and sustainability rules after meeting with the Premier League.

In its statement on Friday, the Premier League said the commission would be independent of the league and its clubs, adding proceedings would be "confidential and heard in private".

There have been widespread protests against Moshiri and the Everton board by fans this season.

Last month, Manchester City were charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation.

City said they were "surprised" by the charges and were supported by a "body of irrefutable evidence".

Everton v Tottenham - 8pm

ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/CFF4/production/_129263235_everton.jpg

ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/3/14f05e67-b9b6-4762-83c4-f0ce0fecab86.png

Over two weeks have passed since Tottenham's last Premier League game and a lot has changed.

Manager Antonio Conte has been sacked and his assistant Cristian Stellini has been placed in interim charge.

It's his first match in charge of the team in an official capacity - though he has already stepped into the shoes this season when he filled in for Conte during illness.

Tottenham, seeking to move back into the top four, must overcome an Everton side battling relegation at Goodison Park.

The Blues are unbeaten in three games, including draws against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest with a good win against Brentford sandwiched between.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/3/0246a21c-0568-4838-a2c7-20ae16f69843.jpg

ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/B884/production/_129263274_everton2.jpg

TEAM NEWS
Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris returns after missing the past nine matches with a knee injury.

Ivan Perisic has recovered from a calf issue, but Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Emerson Royal and Ryan Sessegnon are all unavailable.

Everton manager Sean Dyche has reported no fresh injury concerns.

Forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back in training but is not yet fit enough for consideration, while winger Andros Townsend remains a long-term absentee.

Everton 1 Fulham 3 - Everton's hopes of Premier League survival suffered a blow as they were beaten by Fulham at Goodison Park..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/14DBD/production/_129373458_gettyimages-1482414446.jpg
Former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson scored Fulham's second at Goodison Park as they ended a run of five straight defeats


Harrison Reed put the visitors - who ended a run of five successive defeats - ahead midway through the first half with a composed finish after Harry Wilson's curling shot had come back off the post.

The home side responded well though, levelling through Dwight McNeil's low drive 13 minutes later and ending the half in the ascendancy.

Dyche's team began the second half quickly, too, but Fulham went ahead against the run of play on 51 minutes as Willian picked out Wilson with a lovely cushioned pass and the former Liverpool winger confidently found the corner.

Stunned by the goal, Everton lost their way and Daniel James extended Fulham's lead after 68 minutes, racing onto Kenny Tete's long ball and slotting past Jordan Pickford in the home goal.

ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/B17D/production/_129373454_gettyimages-1482409713.jpg
Dwight McNeil's fourth Premier League goal of the season drew Everton level


"The mentality has been really good and there has been a shift since I've been here," Dyche told BBC Match of the Day.

"We don't want it to revert back to that feeling from before we got here, and there was a sign of that today - people dipping too quickly. We want that bravery to take games on.

"I reminded the players that no one gives you anything, don't think they will because they won't.

"We should react to that a lot better and we have done generally. But these are important times so we've got to make sure we correct that very quickly."

Fulham could have scored more before Everton belatedly - and briefly - stirred again and attempted to rally late on.

However, Marco Silva's side held on comfortably and the result leaves Everton in 17th, above the drop zone only on goal difference.

'Do Everton have players who are willing to fight?'

ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3816/live/fb506b00-e596-11ed-a142-ab0e42bfd9c3.jpg

Having characters who "care about the badge" will be key if Everton are to survive this season, says Scotland and Aston Villa defender Rachel Corsie.

The Toffees' 4-1 home defeat to Newcastle has left them second bottom of the Premier League with five games left to play.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Corsie said: "I think this is when you find out the character of the group that you have. Of course there's different characters everywhere and you need all sorts, you need a mix. But now you're looking at people who want to care about the badge - they want to care about their pride, they want to find a way to win.

"Sometimes you come across players that have a selfish mindset. They'll be some people sitting in the dressing room thinking 'at the end of the season I'll go somewhere else' or 'if we get relegated I'll just jump ship'. I think that's what we'll find out about those teams. Do you have the players in your changing room who are willing to fight together?"
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Your thoughts on Thursday's defeat to Newcastle

Everton fans

Steve: I am a 70-year-old Evertonian and saw my first game at Goodison Park when I was eight. As a life-long fan I never thought I would see the day my beloved blues play second-tier football, but even I have to admit it looks more likely every game. Simply not good enough. No football intelligence or imagination, not enough skill, a squad of mediocrity. Sad.

Barry: Everton should play Nathan Patterson at right-back. Playing a centre-back at right-back, be it Ben Godfrey or Mason Holgate, does not work because they are not fast enough. The first two Newcastle goals were conceded because of this. Frank Lampard had to go to change the mindset at the time, but Dyche is too preoccupied with physical size. Speed matters just as much.

Tom: So sad to see a once great club heading towards relegation. Thinking back to the days of Dixie Dean and Tommy Lawton and Duncan Ferguson!

Steve: This is the worst squad I have seen in my 40-odd years supporting Everton. They are gutless.

Newcastle fans

Larry: Newcastle are hungry. Individual class with a team performance justified the win over an improved Everton still unable to cause trouble up front. This Magpies side plays with pride.

Sally: Absolute wizardry from Alexander Isak to set up the fourth. It was Lionel Messi-esque. A genuinely breathtaking run.

George: It’s the togetherness. It’s the wanting to run through a brick wall for each other. It’s the wanting to reward the fans for the best support in the world.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

'A board that has presided over catastrophically bad decision-making'..

ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/cee5/live/60041e30-e5b4-11ed-b5b6-917f4405aace.jpg

Phil McNulty, chief football writer

Everton’s board failed to hear the alarm bells ringing at deafening volume when they narrowly escaped relegation last season, and now it looks increasingly like they will be punished by dropping into the Championship.

The scale of mismanagement from owner Farhad Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale and the rest of Everton’s board has been on an industrial scale when measured in money squandered in hundreds of millions and the lack of any coherent plan.

Now, with five league games left, Everton are teetering on the precipice after the 4-1 loss at home to Newcastle United left them second from bottom, two points from safety.

In May 2022, after Everton stayed up in their penultimate game, I posted on Twitter: "The biggest mistake Everton’s rather self-congratulatory board could make now they are staying in the Premier League is for chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale and owner Farhad Moshiri to slap themselves on the back for a job so badly done over several years."

Sadly for Everton, and the fans who back them with such fervour, this is exactly what has happened - with inevitable results.

Everton embarked on the time-honoured "strategic review" under the leadership of director of football Kevin Thelwell, who is now under serious scrutiny himself after the failure to sign a single player in January with the storm clouds of relegation already gathering.

If the review is ongoing, it would conclude that matters are much worse now than then.

Chairman Kenwright’s ill-timed open letter to fans in recent days made no reference to any of the failings that have landed this proud club in crisis, with the board not attending a game since January amid security fears and the Premier League referring them to an independent commission for an alleged breach of Financial Fair Play rules.

All this against the backdrop of Everton sliding towards the bottom of the table.

Kenwright’s letter smacked of "nothing to see here" in the context of a board that has presided over catastrophically bad decision-making in recent years. They bear a huge weight of responsibility.

There have been hints change is coming in the form of new investment and boardroom upheaval. The biggest change could be in Everton’s status – from Premier League club to Championship.