Everton

Image source, Getty Images

Everton had 27 shots in this match – last managing more in a Premier League game without scoring in February 2016 against West Bromwich Albion (33 shots).

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Sean Dyche speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We were better against 11, it was a really strong first-half performance. Second half against 10, it's hard to play against a low block. We huffed and puffed. They blocked well and defended well for their first clean sheet. It's a clean sheet and another point. It's a juggling act.

On the red card: "It's too far away, I haven't seen it back but I can only go on what the VAR has decided."

On missed chances: "This is a long-standing thing at the football club trying to create those chances. They were maybes. it's finding those killer moments. There's no lack of intent or purpose from the players.

"We had to change what was going on at the start of the season because we were conceding far too many goals. Now we have to change it at the other end. It's hard against a low block. Credit to them because it's their first clean sheet.

"There's been frustration at this club for many years. We're trying to stop it going in one end and putting it in the other. The reality at the moment is can you beat 10 men? The main thing is to not lose it."

On upcoming games: "Everyone has a tough run, Pep has lost four in a row. It's the reality of being in the Premier League."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance, external

What did you make of Brentford's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Leicester v Chelsea - 12:30

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

• Everton v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Man City v Tottenham - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 12 he takes on The Farm singer and Liverpool fan Peter Hooton.

The Farm's new single, Forever & Ever, is out now and their new album, Let The Music (Take Control), is released in May 2025.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Brentford are like Jekyll and Hyde, depending on where you play them.

They have the best home record in the Premier League this season, but the second worst away - they have lost five out of five on the road.

Mind you, Everton's home form is hardly impressive either. This may be their final season at Goodison Park but they have only won one league game there so far.

So, looking at form does not really help me much here and I am finding Sean Dyche's side very difficult to predict anyway.

I am going to play it safe and go for a draw, mainly because I think Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo are really talented players who always look like scoring, and the Bees always concede a few too.

Brentford have scored 22 and conceded 22 in their 11 league games and I think they will add two more to both totals on Saturday.

Wooton's prediction: 2-1

This is a difficult one, really. Three of the past five Everton games have been draws so I think Dyche decided 'we are going to be hard to beat' after they had such a disastrous start to the season, and he has tightened them up a lot.

Brentford are dangerous, but Everton's past two draws were against Newcastle and Fulham, two decent teams. I was going to go for another draw but I have changed my mind from 1-1 because Everton will probably edge this one.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan Mikey Connor spoke to BBC Radio Merseyide about Iliman Ndiaye's form since joining the Toffees in the summer: "He's been a breath of fresh air. We haven't had a lot creativity-wise. We've relied a lot on [Dwight] McNeil and [Jack] Harrison. When [Ndiaye] gets the ball, he just runs.

"There has been a lot of debate about whether he should play more in the centre as a creative player. I have read a lot about there being no statistics to suggest he should play in the 10. But if you look at the team, we've got enough to cover the left side. We need more in the middle to support whoever is up front.

"If [Dyche] is giving McNeil the licence [to play the 'free role'], then you should also give it to Ndiaye. On balance, Ndiaye is probably a more creative player.

"Sean Dyche is Sean Dyche. He is very old school and is stuck in his ways. The Premier League is the best league in the world and unless you're going to adapt to the football, that is why we're towards the bottom of the table.

"I'm crying out for change, to see a bit of flair - but we're not getting it at the minute."

Listen to the full interview here

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes there will be an element of teams "cancelling each other out" when the Bees travel to face Everton on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"I expect a very difficult but also even game," he said before the return of the Premier League after the international break. "It might be one top action that will decide the game.

"Offensively, we need to be good on the ball. We need to go out there and be brave, and want to turn forward and drive forward. A big thing is to be brave."

Frank has also praised Everton counterpart Sean Dyche, revealing that he is a "big admirer" of his work with both the Toffees and previously at Burnley.

"They are extremely solid," said the Brentford boss.

"I know they had a tough start where they lost their first four games; one defeat in their past seven says everything about them.

"Sean is a fantastic coach and manager. He always makes his team very difficult to play against. They are physical, intensive in pressing, they have pace on transitions, are very good on set-pieces, and they play behind you.

"What he brings is a fantastic foundation. I don't think he always gets enough credit for how dynamic they are and how good they are in the offensive third.

"What he did at Burnley was extremely impressive and was something I looked into; that journey and how we could bring some of those elements to Brentford.

"He's doing it again at Everton and it's potentially even more impressive. On paper, you could maybe say the squad is better but it's also a bigger challenge because there has been a lot of noise with points deductions and a change of owners."

Everton and Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on £17m-rated Brazil striker Yuri Alberto, 23, of Corinthians. (TBR), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

"No evidence to suggest that."

Sean Dyche is pleased with Iliman Ndiaye's performance down the left for Everton and rejects suggestions the Senegal forward should be moved to the number-10 position.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dwight McNeil has had a "good week" in training, while Dyche is "hopeful" Jarrad Branthwaite will be available for selection. Armando Broja is back training after injury, but will not be involved against the Bees.

• On the qualities Branthwaite brings to the team: "The obvious one is balance. He's a left-sided centre-half and there aren't many around - certainly not many of the standard he is. There are others - his size, his physicality - but it's nice to get left and right [and so be] so balanced. That's helpful for the whole group."

• Dyche was asked what he feels Iliman Ndiaye's best position is: "Currently he's doing well off the left. People keeping telling me I should be playing him in the number 10 [position] but there's no evidence to suggest he should be playing there. I think he could adapt into there but as a modern number 10, you have to defend from there as well. Dwight has done well on the offensive side but some of the defensive side he's found a challenge. It's not as easy as people think."

• Dyche continued: "It can be developed over time. At the moment I think he [Ndiaye] is doing a good job off the left. He can wriggle, he can affect and drive into the box, and he's doing well with that. He's still young in his Premier League learning and he's still adapting."

• On what impact the ongoing takeover is having on transfer plans for January: "There's no news so we're working to the current situation, which is being very sensible financially. If the Friedkin Group do get it done in its totality, things might change. But at the minute, we're working with the guidelines that were there before."

• On the mood around the club regarding recent form: "It's hard to bring positivity on a constant basis. The clouds have been hovering around the club for so long now that we kind of get a respite and people kind of deem it something different. But in house, the players have been very positive."

• He added: "You've just got to keep going and try to change that story. The feeling in the camp has been good - the outside feel shifts constantly - and all we can do is work hard to get the right results to keep it going."

• On facing Brentford: "Every game is vital to the fans, to me and to the players. It's another massive game for us. We've got to take on a side that do have ups and downs but they are a good side. I've got massive respect for the manager."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Former England winger Aaron Lennon says he "loved" Sean Dyche's no-nonsense management style when he played under him at Burnley.

Now Everton boss, Dyche spent a decade in charge of the Clarets before departing in 2022 and has managed 324 Premier League games across his career.

"I loved playing for Sean Dyche," Lennon told Planet Premier League. "He says it how it is. Maybe because I'm one of them old-school players. I came through that - he tells you if you play well, he tells you if you play badly.

"I know some of the new generation of players and a lot of them want an arm around them. Dyche is probably not the man to give you that all the time.

"He'd rather let you know: 'All right, you're not playing well [or] you're doing all right'.

"So, Sean, for me, was brilliant. His demands, his standards are really high.

"Monday to Saturday, he demands every day of the week. He never lets off."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Many Everton supporters are "screaming out" for Iliman Ndiaye to play in the number 10 position for the Toffees, according to Everton fan Lee McClean.

Ndiaye has scored three goals in 13 appearances in league and cup since his summer move from Marseille.

Dwight McNeil has been operating in a more central role in recent weeks, but McClean would like to see him revert to the left wing if he is fit to face Brentford on Saturday, with Ndiaye moving infield.

"I think me and most Evertonians that I encounter would probably change things around a bit and put McNeil back to the left, because everyone is screaming out for Ndiaye in the number 10 position," McClean told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"If you look at just how good he is and can be, we've definitely not seen the best of him yet.

"His ceiling is so high. He's just a lovely player to watch, he gets the ball in tight situations, he's got amazing skill, he can glide past players, he's not afraid to take people on and he's direct. We haven't seen a player like that at Everton for quite a while - Richarlison was similar, but he didn't have that level of skill.

"So I just think you get him involved as much as you can, get him pulling the strings and you'll see a better output of goals and assists from him.

"And if you look at the quality of McNeil's delivery from the left side, he's got an amazing left foot. One thing we're not doing is getting enough crosses into the box, and you've got Dominic Calvert-Lewin there who is possibly one of the best headers of a ball in the division."

Hear more on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are considering Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a replacement for Arsenal target Alexander Isak. (TeamTalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Everton fan Paul Brown says "everything needs ripping out" at the club when the Friedkin Group officially takes over - and that includes manager Sean Dyche.

The US-based group also owns Serie A side Roma and has not shied away from making bold changes since their Italian acquisition. Earlier this month, head coach Ivan Juric was sacked after just 12 matches in charge, of which he won four and lost five.

"It sounds like they are really ruthless, but I like the fact they are a bit brutal," said Brown on BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's hard not to refer to the manager situation here at Everton. They sacked Juric for winning four matches in 12 games - but we have a manager who has won seven games in 31.

"I would like to think they won't be having any of that when they come to Everton.

"The next few fixtures are huge for Sean Dyche. If we lose to Brentford and Manchester United and the Friedkin Group arrives after that, they will want to bring their own manager in.

"Everything just needs ripping out at Everton as part of a complete reset.

"You can feel the fans are starting to turn now against Dyche because it is terrible and frustrating football to watch. There is fan pressure.

"I am not sure if the new owners are listening to that pressure, but I have had enough of it now. I thank Dyche for everything he has done for the club with his hands tied, but it is just so bad and boring to watch.

"The players are better than what he is getting out of them."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Greg asked: With the next Everton boss on everyone's lips, I think we saw the right man for the job over the last four days. He won't get it because the new owners will bring their own man in, but it is Lee Carsley for me. He knows the club, would bring young players through, and play the football we crave.

Phil answered: I've had a few questions about Lee Carsley and Everton over the last few weeks.

I agree with you that he will not come into contention if, as I believe, prospective new owner Dan Friedkin brings his own man in to succeed Sean Dyche, probably at the end of the season with – in the ideal scenario – Everton still in the Premier League and Dyche's contract expired.

Given Everton's plight, it would also be a huge task for any manager, particularly one who hasn't managed full-time at club level.

Carsley may well have had an unblemished record as England's interim manager had it not been for a reckless selection gamble that backfired against Greece at Wembley, but he fulfilled his remit in restoring them to the top-tier of the Nations League, while giving youth players their chance.

The standard of opposition must always be taken into account, but there is a lot for Carsley to be proud of.

Everton manager? Not now, but maybe at some time in the future. As we know, he was a highly respected player and personality during his time at the club.

Former Everton winger Andros Townsend is disappointed that Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford does not get the same recognition for his performances at club level as he does for England.

"The biggest myth in football is that Pickford only plays well for England and never does well for his club," said Townsend on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"One of the big reasons Everton are still in the Premier League is because of Jordan Pickford."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Everton manager Sean Dyche will be under scrutiny during the Toffees' difficult run of fixtures over the Christmas period. (Football Insider), external

Want more news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Martin asked: Do you agree with me that Jordan Pickford is criminally under-rated for club and country?

Phil answered: I don't think I need to underline Pickford's importance at Everton to you. I genuinely believe Everton would be in the Championship now had it not been for his sustained excellence for his club.

I don't think anyone with an Everton connection would under-rate him.

I do, however, think he has been very under-rated for England, with people looking to pick holes that did not exist in his performances.

I think that is changing now - people are realising just what a top-class goalkeeper he has been. He showed it again in Greece, in a game England largely dominated, making two outstanding saves in each half.

Here is a telling statistic: Jordan Pickford has now equalled the legendary World Cup winner Gordon Banks' record of 73 caps - that is testimony to his consistency.

He has kept 34 clean sheets and, measured by Opta statistics, has only made one error leading to a goal, which was against Belgium in March.

I think this says it all.