Everton

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The season could not have got off to a worse start for Everton, could it?

Humbled 3-0 at home by Brighton and their young manager Fabian Hurzeler in the opening game, the Toffees were jeered off the pitch by those who decided to stay until the end.

Ashley Young's red card in that game now leaves Sean Dyche will a real issue at right-back going into Saturday's game at Tottenham.

The former England international will serve a one-game ban, while captain Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are both ruled out because of injury.

James Garner, who can fill in at full-back, is out too. So will manager Dyche opt to throw in teenager Roman Dixon or deploy the more experienced Mason Holgate in that position?

Fans displayed their displeasure after Saturday's loss, feeling the only real tactic was playing long, crossfield balls in the direction of Jack Harrison - once the Seagulls snuffed that out, there was no plan B.

Everton scored only 40 goals last season, with only relegated Sheffield United netting fewer, and they managed just one shot on target in their first game against Brighton.

Will Dyche give starts to summer signings Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom to provide more service to Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

One thing is for certain - Dyche has issues to address both in defence and attack and needs to sort them out pretty quickly.

Manchester United have not given up hope of signing 22-year-old England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, but accept it is unlikely to happen this transfer window. (Mail), external

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

Mike Richards
Fan writer

As a manager, you are so often deemed a genius in victory and naive in defeat. That’s the pitfalls of the job.

Sean Dyche has certainly fallen into the latter judging by fan reaction after Saturday's comprehensive defeat to Brighton.

A match that was so evenly poised at half-time was over once the second goal went in and Ashley Young received his marching orders soon after.

It’s at that point that decisions taken regarding starting personnel naturally get asked – although the same questions were being asked prior to kick-off.

Parallels were drawn between this game and Fulham, on the first game of the season only 12 months prior. A young, highly-rated centre half sat on the bench, while Michael Keane was given the nod to partner James Tarkowski.

New signing Jake O’Brien was the unlucky player last weekend, as Jarrod Branthwaite was the previous season.

The manager has a belief and some may say obsession with prioritising Premier League experience over youth. When it backfires, glaring looks and criticism rightly come his way.

The defeat shouldn’t be solely laid at the door of one player, but when their performance is erratic at best, fans naturally point towards an area where a new signing hasn’t been given an opportunity.

The same can be said for Iliman Ndiaye. A direct player with pace and quick feet, he spent the majority of the game on the bench, with the manager electing to stick with Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We all search for solutions and claim that things would have ended differently if certain players were trusted to start ahead of others. The truth is, we’ll never know.

However, not trusting new signings who’ve got hundreds of first team appearances between them doesn’t particularly carry much weight with fans.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are in talks to re-sign goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a free transfer.

The 37-year-old is available after leaving Championship side Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season.

Begovic, who has earned 63 caps for Bosnia-Herzegovina, made 10 appearances for the Toffees between 2021 and 2023.

His signing would add experience in the goalkeeping pool alongside Jordan Pickford and Joao Virginia following the departure of Andy Lonergan during the summer.

Everton have enquired about triggering a 60m euro (£51.2m) release clause for Atletico Mineiro's 18-year-old Brazilian forward Alisson Santana. (Globo - in Portuguese), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Everton defender James Tarkowski does not feel their heavy defeat by Brighton was a "reality check" and has stressed there is "plenty to be hopeful about".

The Toffees began their Premier League campaign in unwanted fashion at Goodison Park and, to make matters worse, they will now be without Ashley Young through suspension after he was sent off in the second half.

"You end that game feeling very low - 3-0, 10 men, not really touching the ball for a while. But if you look at that the game from early on, I thought we were the better side," Tarkowski said.

"It's not a reality check. We know the level of this league and how difficult it is. You'll get punished if you make mistakes.

“The foundation which we build on - and we will continue to do - a lot of it was on show. Minor details will cost you in this league and we'll see that."

The result was also a demoralising way for the club to begin their final season at their current home before they move to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium next year.

"This [Goodison Park] is a special place, a very special place," Tarkowski added.

"We want to do it justice this season, before we move on to our new home, so hopefully [there will be] better days than Saturday."

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has spoken of his faith in Jordan Pickford.

Walker plays with the Everton goalkeeper for England and has heaped praise on his ability, pointing to a trust he has in him during penalty shootouts.

Watch the clip of You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker above or listen in full here

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Mal: Wrong tactics, wrong manager - I said this last season and nothing has changed. Pickford long balls to Harrison, who then crosses it to Calvert-Lewin, who rarely scores from open play. This didn't work last season and it won't work this season. Everton has a manager in Dyche who stubbornly won't change his system. If only Moyes was available...

Gary: Same old Everton, I'm afraid. It's going to be a very long season but at least we have a few more games to play before we really know how it will pan out. We just don't have pace at the back with Young and Coleman, who has been a fantastic servant but his legs are not 21 any more.

Lee: Thought we started really well - then typical Everton turned up! Young cost us a chance of even getting back into game - really poor from him. I'd rather start with three at the back. Very, very disappointing.

Brighton fans

Charlie: I love this club but, honestly, in the first 20 minutes we were all over the place and lucky not to concede. However, when we eventually took hold of the game, we played fluidly and progressively. In terms of attack, we were ruthless, skilful and easy on the eye. In Hurzeler we trust.

PH: We gradually worked our way into the game and took control. We could have scored more but we played it around and stretched the 10 men of Everton in order to keep the clean sheet. Excellent execution of the gameplan, especially in the second half.

William: Brighton were great - the best way Hurzler's tenure could have started. They certainly grew into the match, and while there were some nervy moments at the start, we didn't look back. If we keep playing like this, Europe may be on the cards after all.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards says "it is likely to be another very nervy season" for Everton fans as the club look to be in trouble on and off the pitch.

"Financial uncertainty is crushing them," Edwards told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "For a while you can defy the uncertainty and ignore it, but my worry is that it is lingering in the background and almost becoming a dark cloud hanging over them. They are in so much debt and a lot of it links up to the new stadium which is very concerning.

"Gradually, because they can't really do much with the squad, it is beginning to catch up with them.

"I put all of my faith in Sean Dyche to get them out of trouble, but the football club is a mess and it is going to be really touch and go. It is likely to be another very nervy season."

Former Premier League defender Stephen Kelly added: "When is it going to change for them? When are they going to have a season where they are not looking over their shoulder?

"They did not look strong at all [against Brighton].

"I know Dyche will do enough to push them through it but it is not enough for a club like Everton. Something has to give. He needs a bit of backing to get some more players through the door."

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester United and Fulham.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

• West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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

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

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are six games on the opening Saturday of the 2024-25 Premier League and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

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A new season, and a new challenge for BBC Sport's prediction expert Chris Sutton.

Sutton faced off against a guest for each of the 38 game weeks in 2023-24 and triumphed 21-10 (with seven draws) to secure his second predictions title in a row.

In the first week of the new season, his opponent is The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.

The pair have both given their prediction for Everton v Brighton on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Everyone will be watching this to see what brand of football Brighton play under their new manager Fabian Hurzeler, and if he has tweaked it compared to their style under Roberto de Zerbi.

If the Seagulls' players are still settling into a new system then it definitely helps Everton. We know that they will be battle-hardened under Sean Dyche and I just wonder if the Toffees will have too much nous for them.

Dyche always seems to have been fighting fires since taking over but without last season's points deductions they would have been in mid-table for most of the campaign and that is where I think they will end up this time.

Liam's prediction: 2-1

I am mates with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford so I have got to back them here, he will not be happy if I do not!

I love watching him for England but he encapsulates his club so much because he has got so much character and spirit, so I hope for his sake they get off to a half-decent start.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Shamoon Hafez, who will be covering Everton for BBC Sport again this season, asked what you are expecting 2024-25 to look like for the Toffees.

Here are some of your answers:

Steve: Well with the comings and goings and the ongoing saga of the takeover, I'm expecting a rollercoaster ride in Goodison Park's last season. Hopefully we'll start clear of any relegation battles and finish in the top half. Don't see a quick fix, though.

Greg: One thing about our great club, you can't predict the unpredictable. We have our hopes as usual, but we are nothing but realistic. Keeping comfortably away from the bottom three will be a bonus, but if we get another points deduction I think our luck may finally run out.

Mike: The squad is vulnerable in both full-back positions and central midfield, and if Calvert-Lewin goes we have no proven replacement. The signings are promising but none have significant Premier League experience. I'm more hopeful than optimistic. However, having been an Evertonian for 50 years it's the hope that kills you. At least the club seems to be stabilising - hopefully.

Richard: With the past two or three seasons in mind, I think most Everton supporters will settle for mid-table and a decent cup run. It doesn't feel right to think of much more yet.

Ifan: After the nervous seasons we’ve had over the past few years, I’m hoping for more stability with no more unexpected point deductions. Finishing the season in the top half of the table would be good. Finishing in a European place would be awesome!

Everton are discussing a possible loan for Napoli and Sweden midfielder Jens Castuje, 25. (Teamtalk), external

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

Sean Dyche says Everton's current situation means key players each have a price at which selling them on makes sense.

The Toffees, punished for breaching financial rules last season, are in talks with businessman John Textor over a potential takeover.

Dyche was asked on Thursday if he feared losing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin should an offer come in.

"That would be the challenge for the club - what level (of fee)? For any player, not just Dom," he said. "You saw Amadou Onana leaving us (for £50m to Aston Villa), there was a level where they think 'right that's it, it's got to be done'.

"That is the current situation of the club. It's not just about the players mentioned, it's about any player. The club has got an outside picture and that's not something I can control."

Dyche has lost Onana and Ben Godfrey this summer, while Andre Gomes was released and Dele Alli's contract also ended, though he is still training with the club.

The manager has brought in fresh blood but feels Everton's position has become that of a development club while off-the-field issues around ownership continue to take shape.

"On the playing side of things to lower the wage bill, we've done a pretty fair job of that. But the bigger picture at the club is dependent on what money is needed at any given time," added Dyche, ahead of the visit of Brighton.

"The growth of the team and development of individuals is important for the club.

"It was once a buying club and now it's not, so now it is development and winning and bringing it all together in a package that can suit the club and be successful, which can be a hard task of course.

"From my point as management it is looking at the players individually and their development, from the club's point of view it is managing the finances as best as possible and from the fans' point of view it is getting as many points and getting up the table.

"I think because of the bigger picture of the club on my watch the expectation is to move forward year-on-year and be better than the previous season."

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sean Dyche entered the news conference at Everton's Finch Farm training ground and immediately grumbled at how hot it was in the room.

We haven't had the best of summers weather wise, but the Toffees boss is certainly feeling the heat and that will be cranked up even more if they lose their Premier League opener against Brighton on Saturday.

Despite wiping the sweat off his brow and looking a little flush in the face, the manager spoke about the "calmness" felt around the club this summer and the excellent transfer business they have managed to achieve.

But shortly after the assembled media had left the building, news broke that Blues owner Farhad Moshiri had entered into an exclusivity agreement with John Textor as he aims to sell the club.

Dyche had been asked about the takeover situation and said he had his "fingers crossed" that a resolution could be found, but this brings more uncertainty before the start has begun.

Textor would need to sell his 45% stake in Crystal Palace before being able to complete a purchase of Everton, so how long will that take?

These things are never straightforward, as the fans know, and this one could rumble on for a while.