Everton's chance to end years of crisis and chaos

Everton's takeover by the Friedkin Group is exactly the Christmas present their long-suffering fans craved after the years of chaos and crisis under Farhad Moshiri.

After an ill-judged dalliance with US-based 777 Partners and expressions of interest from Crystal Palace owner John Textor, American billionaire Dan Friedkin returned to the table after initially pulling back following a period of due diligence.

Friedkin's group now own 99.5% of Everton and - in this initial honeymoon period - will be welcomed with open arms by a fanbase that has suffered relegation battles, points deductions for failure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and was locked in civil war with the previous board.

Everton's new executive chairman Marc Watts delivered a measured first mission statement as he said the new era would be marked by "ambition and professionalism", adding: "We look forward to showing our commitment to the club through actions not words."

All of which will be music to the ears of Everton's fans.

Of more immediate interest will be the impact on manager Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell, with their contracts up at the end of the season. The January transfer window will be the first indicator of the new direction.

Friedkin showed his ambition at AS Roma by appointing - then subsequently sacking - Jose Mourinho, although this was also a period that brought their first major European trophy in the shape of the Europa Conference League in 2022.

For now, though, Everton supporters will be breathing more easily as they ponder what the new Friedkin-led era will bring.