Everton

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Goodison Park was a different place on Saturday. No sign of pain or anguish etched on fans' faces as they prepared for a match that, on the face of it, had very little riding on it.

Sheffield United were already relegated and Everton already safe, but there remains genuine fear for the fans that they are never too far away for another negative, doom-laden story.

That is why three points were still necessary. They banished the threat of Luton Town finishing the season within nine points of them. Everton are confident that despite their current financial problems, as well as their longstanding ownership uncertainty, they will avoid having to go into administration and avoid another points deduction that could have had devastating consequences.

They are now 15th in the Premier League, and 14 points clear of third-from-bottom Luton.

In the whole scheme of things, it does not appear to be much worth getting excited about. But it is also worth pointing out that Everton would be above Fulham, Wolves, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth but for the eight-point deduction meted out for breaching profitability and sustainability regulations.

Again, while it is not something to be making too much noise about, it remains a massive improvement on the team's points tally and final position compared with the previous two seasons.

While it has been a long and hard season, Sean Dyche has managed to get the best out of a squad that lacks depth and brought belief to the players. When the going got tough, he made it clear the players "would be paid back" if they continued to work hard individually and collectively. In the end, he was proved right.

Everton's home results had been dreadful, even if many of the performances in the should have produced more victories. Survival hopes rested on their ability to change that dramatically.

That is precisely what they did.

Five straight home wins is not the form of relegation candidates, especially as one was against title-chasing Liverpool. The fact they were achieved without conceding at all serves to underline the feat.

Dyche has managed to re-establish the "fortress Goodison" mentality among players and fans.

Given all that has happened this season, that is quite a remarkable achievement.

Image source, Getty Images

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says he wants to return to the England squad after finding goalscoring form for Everton.

Speaking to Everton's official website, external the striker, who has 11 England caps, said: "I want to get back to where I belong in the England team. It’s been a slow build-up this season, I feel like I’ve got there eventually and now I just want to continue this form.”

The 27-year-old has scored four goals in his last six games after going 23 games without a goal earlier in the season and he now looks at the season "in a much better way" than he might have done "six to eight weeks ago" during a "difficult spell".

"I needed to get a goal and I was plugging away, working hard and then when I got my goal, I knew once I got that one that would be it then. That's how it goes in football being a centre-forward," he added.

“It’s been a different kind of battle for myself. The previous two seasons were plagued with injuries and were just all about being fit - getting fit, staying fit and getting to play as many games as possible, whereas this season, at the start of the season it was a case of that - just wanting to be out there, playing and almost do myself justice, in a way, because I felt like I hadn’t been able to do that for a long time."

The Toffees face Arsenal in their final game of the season, and Calvert-Lewin will be hoping to add to his seven Premier League goals so far this campaign.

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

We asked our Everton fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrad Branthwaite

At 21 years old, Branthwaite has commanded Everton's backline and forced his way into England boss Gareth Southgate's plans for the Euros. If I have any wish for next season it is that we can keep hold of him!

Idrissa Gueye

He has not been without injuries this season, but Gueye's recent performances against Nottingham Forest and Brentford have forced him into this conversation. My player of the match for those games, securing a vital nine points in a week, Gueye has showed calm and composure when it has really mattered.

Jordan Pickford

Everton rank second to title contenders Arsenal on clean sheets, and Pickford himself only second to Raya for the Golden Glove. Everton's problems have not been in defence this season, rather scoring goals, and Pickford - yet again - has been imperative to securing Premier League survival.

James Tarkowski

He has played every minute of every game for Everton this season and made an outstanding contribution to the team. Tarky is proving a worthy understudy for captain.

Honourable mentions

Seamus Coleman, who at 35 years of age continues to provide captain's performances when called upon. Also Vitaliy Mykolenko, one of the most improved players this season.

Pick your 2023-24 Everton player of the season from our shortlist here

Briony Bragg can be found at This Fan Girl, external

Everton's England Under-21s centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 21 is interesting Manchester United, with the Red Devils prepared to offer £55m for the defender. (Daily Mail), external

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

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The future ownership of Everton will be decided by current owner Farhad Moshiri and not by the Premier League, says the English top flight's chief executive Richard Masters.

777 Partners agreed to buy Moshiri's 94% stake in September but there is increasing uncertainty over the takeover amid concerning developments around the Miami-based firm.

Appearing in front of a select committee on Parliament's Football Governance Bill on Tuesday, Masters was asked why he had not rejected 777's takeover.

“The Premier League’s role in this, as regulator, is to perform the test," said Masters.

"It is not to decide who the current owner wants to sell his club to. That is his decision. At the moment, he wants to continue to have discussions with 777 about it."

Last week, 777 engaged finance restructuring experts, casting further doubts over its ability to complete the deal.

Moshiri has held talks with 777 as he looks for clarity regarding the situation, and whether it has the cash available to pay off a £158m loan owed to MSP Sports Capital.

And eight months on from agreeing to buy the club, 777 continues to undergo scrutiny from the Premier League as to whether it passes the Owners' and Directors' Test.

Last week, Everton's Fan Advisory Board called for the Premier League to dismiss 777 Partners' takeover bid and to "allow discussions with more suitable owners" to take place.

Read the full story here

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Saturday was the first time in three years that a game did not have something riding on it. No tension or fraught nerves. No chewed finger nails or hiding behind Goodison's multiple posts.

It was a day of sunshine, shorts and a chance to thank the players and manager for their efforts in the most difficult of seasons.

The frightening prospect is, however, many of those players who undertook a lap of appreciation, will not be seen gracing the hallowed Goodison turf in Everton blue again.

The words of director of football Kevin Thelwell confirmed that summer outgoings are a certainty, with patience called for.

With eight current first team players either out of contract or returning to their parent clubs in the summer, numbers are already looking thin on the ground for next season.

Combine that with the need to raise funds for working capital and hopefully some lower value additions.

Early indications suggest Jarrad Branthwaite, Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have plenty of interest and may be the ones moved on to ensure the club can continue to operate amid the ownership uncertainty.

One thing is for sure, it promises to be a summer when the winds of change blow through the corridors of the club.

Next season already feels like an uphill struggle, even before this one has ended.

Mike Richards can be found at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

@win_n10 on asked "X": Given the furore that has surrounded 777 Partners since Farhad Moshiri first announced them as preferred bidder for Everton, is it surprising that he is yet to end this takeover and does this slow death suggest the Premier League Ownership And Directors Test is still not fit for purpose as even 777 cannot be disqualified?

Phil answered: In some ways, it is not a surprise because Farhad Moshiri’s management of Everton has been so poor since he acquired control.

With all the various issues surrounding 777, it is a surprise this has dragged on so long and surely this has to end soon. The giveaway is that the Premier League has clearly had major reservations for some time otherwise they would have signed this deal off. Only they can know why they have not stepped in already but it now looks like it will come to an end of its own accord.

This is, of course, unless the unpredictable Moshiri decides otherwise.

The Premier League would also say they have been careful to guard Everton’s interests in this particular case by not signing it off.

There has been much news around 777 recently – and none of it good.

We asked you for your views on Saturday's match between Everton and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your answers:

Everton fans

Jason: Our form of late has been top-of-the-league stuff. Five home wins, two away draws and one loss is top-notch stuff in the circumstances and a big improvement on last year. I think the point deductions really hurt us and sucked us into a relegation fight we didn't belong in.

Mark: A better end to the season than the lpst few. It's great to be safe with a few games to go. If not for the eight points deduction, we would be in comfortable mid-table obscurity. The ongoing financial situation is a worry and it's hard to see better things for next season. We need a fairy godmother!

Nubi: I thought that our performance was both good in parts, but also disjointed. I was pleased that we didn't go for lumping the ball up the field, and many chances came from balls laid into the penalty area on the ground. And Dom [Calvert-Lewin] operating both centrally and down the channels was a joy to watch. Thank you guys for your hard work this season.

Neil: To say teams who are safe are on the beach, I thought we did OK. Strong performance but again overshadowed by off-field uncertainties.

Paul: Overall pleased to sign off at home with a win, albeit a quite unmemorable one against poor opponents. Forty points (+8) is an improvement on last season. Sean Dyche has done an amazing job under the circumstances.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton captain Seamus Coleman says he will "have a think" about the offer of extending his 15-year stay at Goodison Park and added that it is "hard to walk away from something you love".

The 35-year-old full-back has played more than 400 games for the Toffees, including a club-record 363 Premier League appearances, since joining in January 2009.

Manager Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell have both confirmed that discussions have taken place about Coleman - who is out of contract in the summer - staying with Everton beyond the end of this campaign.

The Republic of Ireland international told club media that Everton "means everything to me" and he continued: "I suppose I live and breathe it like everyone else. It's been a hell of a ride - the last two or three years - and it's not a case that you just turn up for work, go home and forget about it.

"You live and breathe it, and it's been tough. But I absolutely love this football club, I love this stadium. We've got another year here at Goodison, so I'm happy to have been offered something and I'll have a think.

"This football club means everything to me and, as I said before when I signed my last contract, it is hard to walk away from something you love."

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

Victoria G asked: How highly do you rate the job Sean Dyche has done at Everton, making them safe with games to spare despite an eight-point deduction?

Phil answered: Hello Victoria. Sean Dyche deserves huge credit for the job he has done at Everton with all the “noise” – his word not mine – around the club this season and also a dreadful run of form and results before things picked up really well at the end.

Let’s be honest, Everton have been a tough watch at times this season but needs must and they would have been comfortably mid-table had they not had those points knocked off.

What happens next? Well who knows because the takeover situation is dragging on, director of football Kevin Thelwell has admitted players must be sold – and Everton’s squad is thin as it is.

It might be even tougher next time out.

Follow the rest of Phil McNulty's Q&A

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

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

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Everton, Brighton, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg are considering a move for 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar and Japan full-back Yukinari Sugawara. (Florian Plettenberg), external

Meanwhile, Sean Dyche is hopeful of exploring a deal to turn 27-year-old English winger Jack Harrison's loan from Leeds United into a permanent transfer.

Manchester City are interested in Everton's 16-year-old academy goalkeeper Douglas Lukjanciks and could pay up to £10m for the England Under-17 international. (Sun), external

(Liverpool Echo), external

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

Sean Dyche spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Everton's victory against Sheffield United: "Satisfied with the win to be honest. It was a strange game really, thought we were pretty decent in the second half but it kind of fizzled out really. Another clean sheet and another win, that has been an important factor this season - clean sheets and finding goals when it matters.

On winning the final home game of the campaign: "The fans have earned the right to enjoy it, not just the team. The fans have joined in with the team and stuck by us during difficult times this season, not only on the pitch but off it at times too. And they are still there. It was nice for the players to be able to do a lap at the end there to show their appreciation. The last couple of seasons have been so fraught. All that went on it is nice to get the job done early doors and the players can enjoy it. They have deserved it too.

On Dominic Calvert-Lewin's assist for the winner: "Very pleased, very pleased. Dom has worked very hard again today, finds an assist and Douc is on the spot. Some nice moments in the pockets but we couldn't find that next chance for another goal. Overall I am pleased with the win and us showing that winning mentality.

On not finding the second goal: "Yeah sure, but credit to them [Sheffield United], they are fighting for their pride now and they did. It was hard to break down their defensive shape at times but we did find ways and chances. At the end of the day the players have put a lot of effort into the season so I'm not going to question too much today, it's another win.

On the Calvert-Lewin and Jack Robinson incident: "The officials' performance was interesting today I thought. I don't know what the rules suggest but when the game is going on and their player does that [pushes Calvert-Lewin in the chest] I would suggest that is it unusual. They said it wasn't a push in the face so it's acceptable. I don't think that we would like to think that is acceptable across football at large. But anyways that's how it is in the modern game and I am learning about it and the officials every week."

• Everton have won five consecutive Premier League home games without conceding for the first time since March-August 2019, and for the first time in a campaign since March-May 2013.

• Sheffield United have conceded a goal in all 19 of their Premier League away games this season. It’s the fourth time in their league history they’ve not kept an away clean sheet across a full campaign, along with 1898-99 (17 games), 1953-54 (21) and 1977-78 (21).

• Abdoulaye Doucoure’s opener was his first Premier League goal since December; despite this, no Everton player has scored more league goals than the Malian this term (7).

• In his 89th game in charge, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder suffered his 50th Premier League defeat – only Mick McCarthy (79) and Danny Wilson (87) have reached this unwanted milestone in fewer games than Wilder.

• Everton have kept a clean sheet in 85% of their Premier League wins this season (11/13), the highest share in the division. Indeed, each of their past 14 league wins at Goodison Park have been to nil (6 in 2022-23, 8 this season).

• Everton kept their 13th Premier League clean sheet of the season, second only to Arsenal (17) this term.

Everton enjoyed a successful send-off at Goodison Park this season with a Premier League victory over already-relegated Sheffield United.

The Toffees had ensured survival but triumphing in the last home game this term stretched their unbeaten run to five games, while the visitors became the first side to concede a record 101 goals in a season.

Abdoulaye Doucoure netted the winner on the half-hour mark courtesy of a close range header into an open net from Dominic Calvert-Lewin's cross.

The midfielder could have had another on the stroke of half-time but sent a looping effort wide of the post on this occasion.

In between, the Blades battled bravely and Andre Brooks cut in from the left and forced Jordan Pickford into a sharp save low down with a powerful drive, their only shot on target in the contest.

In-form Everton travel to Arsenal on the final day with the possibility of having a say in the title race, while Sheffield United end their miserable campaign at home to Tottenham.

Were you at the ground or following along from home?

Everton fans, give us your thoughts on the game.

Tell us what you made of the performance, Blades supporters.

Follow all the reaction here

There are eight Premier League games taking place today, and you can stay updated with all of them via our live page.

Keep up with all the action and reaction here.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

The pressure is all off Everton now, but this is their final home game of the season and they will want to sign off on a high note.

Sheffield United's campaign has been disastrous, from the start. They have conceded 100 league goals already, and I do not think they are stopping there.

You would not describe Everton as a free-scoring team, but the Blades have a habit of capitulating and I am going with a pretty routine win for Sean Dyche's side.

Serge's prediction: 2-0

This should be comfortable for Everton and surely Dyche is manager of the year for what he has done this season? Taking on that team has meant pressure from all angles, week-in, week-out.

Yet despite the points deduction, they are safe already and for once they can enjoy their last home game of the season rather than having to go through another one of those great escapes on the final day.

He is my manager of the year, for sure.

Read all of the predictions here