Everton

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport researcher

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On if Dominic Calvert-Lewin will feature against Ipswich: "I'm hoping to have him around, he's trained this week. In truth, it's probably too quick to put him back in and even minutes is a bit worrying. I think I want to get him back involved, we only have three or four weeks to go."

• On if a new contract has been offered to Calvert-Lewin: "There's not been a contract offer since I've been here, it was under a different regime. We want everyone to have to fight for what they're doing and show what they're worth. We're taking a lot of time to look, unfortunately Dom has been injured for a big part of it but his history has been very good so we will take all that into consideration."

• On if Calvert-Lewin will be judged on the final four games before being offered a new contract: "He's only now had three days of training in total so it would be unfair to judge him on the last four games. It's not me who's always judging him, Evertonians will be judging him. I'll make the final decision, but Dom has to show us he's robust and can be fit to play. Undoubtedly he's got qualities other strikers don't have, and he has to show us all when he gets the opportunities that he'll take it. We need him to be ready to train, play, be competitive in more games than he's been available for."

• On if Carlos Alcaraz will be offered a permanent deal: "We're keeping our eye on it. He's come on and made a difference in the games, sometimes as a sub he has had a bigger impact. He's done some good things for us."

• On a win taking them over the 40 point mark in the league: "The position we were in, obviously 40 points would be a great achievement and hopefully we can do it with games remaining. I'd like Everton to be thinking a lot higher then 40 points in the future, but I take your point, from where we came in it's a great position for us to be in."

• On the pressure of having just two games left at Goodison Park: "The pressure the players and the club have been under in the last few years has been incredible. Our pressure now is to play well at Goodison for the supporters, for the families that have been here for years and years. It's not pressure of if we will survive or not. Obviously, a determination to do well for everyone that turns up to watch us."

• On Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna: "Great manager who half the country wanted last year. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think he's the only one to take a team from League One to Championship to the Premier League - an unbelievable achievement. We're all talking about Wrexham and it's amazing what Phil Parkinson has done, but Kieran has done it to the Premier League. Let's remember Ipswich is a club if you're of a generation, their teams were challenging for first division titles. He's done it at a real football club. He'll be disappointed with this season but I think he's done a brilliant job."

Listen to live commentary of Everton vs Ipswich on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 on Saturday

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Earlier, we asked you to name the current Everton player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Ashley Young.

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The Blue Room's Warren Doyle has said he would not like to see Richarlison return to Everton this summer.

The Brazil striker left the Toffees in 2022 for Tottenham, but has been rumoured to be on the radar of his former club for the upcoming transfer window.

Richarlison has made just 12 league appearances for Spurs this season, scoring four goals.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Doyle said: "If you'd have asked me four months ago, I'd have bitten your hand off to have him back. I think he was obviously much loved by Evertonians and he's the type of player we miss now.

"Where I'm against it is Everton have been accused of being a club that doesn't look forward enough and re-signs ex-players and old managers. He's gone through a lot - he had that spell where he played for Brazil in the Olympics and then the World Cup.

"He played through the pain barrier with Everton because he was determined to get us out the relegation battle. I think that's had a detrimental effect on his career now. He's been very stop-start at Spurs and I don't think they've managed him well.

"It's a situation where I'd like to see Everton not go back. We'd like to see signings that don't come with the baggage Richarlison has, and I say that with the upmost respect because I love him."

You can listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Vitalii Mykolenko has nothing but positive things to say about life at Everton under David Moyes.

Aside from missing one game because of injury, the defender has started all Premier League matches since the Scot began his second spell in charge in January.

"The first few weeks were hard because everything was different," Mykolenko told the club's website., external

"But now it's all good, as you can see in the table. We are in good position and, in my opinion, we play much better than the past two years.

"He [Moyes] wants me to join in the attacks and he always says you not only have one job on the pitch, but two or three. I'm trying to be my best - not only in defence, but in attack as well.

"I like to play in attack and now I'm working with the coaching staff and the gaffer on that."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Vitor Pereira has revealed he almost joined Wolves' bitter rivals West Brom.

The Portuguese has had several opportunities to move to the Premier League over the last 15 years before being appointed at Molineux in December.

He spoke to Chelsea, Everton, Crystal Palace, Watford and Arsenal and admitted he held talks with the Baggies over a decade ago.

"Do you know how many meetings I had here? The first one, West Bromwich, in the Premier League, maybe 15 years ago," he told BBC Sport.

"The second? Everton. Third? Crystal Palace with the proposal, with the contract for two and-a-half years.

"OK, we can celebrate with a pint and then they changed the idea for another but I realised that is normal here.

"After that, Chelsea, then Everton again, then Arsenal. I had a very long, very good meeting with Arsenal before they signed (Mikel) Arteta.

"Watford was the only time that I said no. I didn't want to do it. It was the time that they were relegated."

His previous chance to come to England, before Molineux, was with Everton in 2022 when the Toffees were replacing Rafa Benitez, while he also spoke to them in 2019 as a possible replacement for Marco Silva.

"It was three times with Everton. With Everton, with the contract was agreed – everything – to start to work tomorrow. My bags were packed," he said.

"But when tomorrow came, it was a case of 'check in, check out, check in, check out, check in' – for one week.

"It was winter. It's a lot. It means now I'm very happy to be here.

"I'm very grateful to the club because they gave me the opportunity to be in the league that I believe gives me the opportunity to be at my best level.

"It challenges me and I need to be challenged. If I go to a league and tactically, I cannot express myself, that is not for me. But in this league, I can do it."

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin says his "focus will always be Everton" as the striker enters the final months of his contract at Goodison Park.

The 28-year-old has played just three times since the return of David Moyes in January, but says talk about his future is not distracting him from his fight for fitness.

"When you pick up an injury your health becomes your main focus and you can't afford to think about anything else," he said.

"My main focus is making sure I am in the best condition, it's like going through a mini pre-season to get fit for these last four games.

"Regardless of what has happened or external things going on, any player would say that they want to finish the season fit and well."

Calvert-Lewin has scored 57 Premier League goals in 235 appearances for Everton, and says the club has played a big part in his life.

"I have a lot of respect for Everton Football Club, it's given me everything," he said.

"For me it's built a lot of experience, and I have a lot of fond memories.

"With the new manager coming in the club is moving in the right direction, there's a new stadium and there's a lot to be positive about. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"

Read more from Calvert-Lewin

Guess the current Everton player from these three clues:

• I joined Everton in 2023.

• I scored in a 4-0 win against Wolves in December 2024.

• I won the Premier League title with one of my former clubs.

Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer

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This is Everton boss David Moyes' 1,167th game in charge in his managerial career across all competitions, but his first meeting with Ipswich. They are the first 'new' English club he's faced since beating Doncaster Rovers 4-0 while in charge of West Ham in January 2021.

Everton have also just won one of their past nine Premier League games (drawn five, lost three), having won four of their five before this. The Blues have lost their past two, last losing three in a row under David Moyes in October 2011.

Everton are among the clubs interested in 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with the English forward believed to have a £30m release clause, while the prospect of England forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 28, signing a new deal beyond this summer at the club is not out of the question. (The i Paper, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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There will be plenty of pre-match pomp and circumstance at Goodison on Saturday, prior to Everton's Premier League match with already relegated Ipswich Town.

There are only two games left at the famous old stadium and given that every ticket for their final home match of the campaign against Southampton has long since sold out, for some Blues fans this might be their last chance to soak up the atmosphere at the place where they have worshipped for all their Evertonian lives.

The countdown to 'Goodbye to Goodison' is picking up pace and, in all honesty, for most of the supporters there is not much else at stake.

For David Moyes, his staff and his players, the picture is very different.

The Blues boss has done an unbelievable job since returning as manager. Premier League football for next season, their first at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, was guaranteed with room to spare. But another big task awaits him. Making sure he has a squad that can be competitive next season will not be easy.

His record in the transfer market shows he has an eye for talent but the type of players he wants will likely be targeted by other clubs. He will have to use all his managerial know-how to paint a picture of a promising future and brave new world at Everton.

But overhauling the current squad and bringing in the players with the pace, power and personality to take Everton to the next level will be quite a task. There are plenty in the current squad that he will wish to keep and some of those will be wanted by other clubs.

There are also some that will not be part of future plans and maybe it is still make-your-mind-up time for some of them. The Friedkin Group will provide a much bigger transfer chest than Everton have had for years but that will not be big enough to transform this squad to Moyes' requirements in one, or maybe even two transfer windows.

The players in that final group will know who they are. Perhaps they can still have a big say in shaping their own futures.

Coasting towards season's end is not an option for Moyes - it never has been.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

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Former Everton player Steven Naismith praised the influence of Leighton Baines on the football club.

Baines immediately began working with the club's Academy as a professional development coach after retiring. He later became the Under-18s head coach in October 2021 and temporarily served as interim manager earlier this year alongside Seamus Coleman.

Naismith said: "Bainesy is somebody who wants to make sure he's making the right choice, and then when he's done it, you do see his knowledge and his understanding.

"I think the way he sees the game is different, and the way he teaches it. Even when I was playing with him, the way he would describe different situations, he delivered it in a different, really clear way.

"I know, 100 per cent, he will have helped the academy players that he was dealing with, and now that he's stepped up, it will be the same for the senior players as well, because he's very good."

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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With the season dwindling to an end, all Evertonian eyes are now clearly fixated on what promises to be an emotional final two games at Goodison Park.

This coming Saturday is the final traditional 3pm kick off, as already relegated Ipswich roll into town.

With grand pre-match plans already in place by fan group The 1878s, Goodison promises to look her absolute best, with celebration, tradition and blue very much the order of the day.

It's a spectacle that will not only be appreciated by all those in attendance and watching round the world, but hopefully replicated and enhanced when we move to Bramley-Moore Dock.

Moving grounds can quite often be far from plain sailing, so we certainly have a responsibility to make the transition as smooth as possible for both the players and manager.

Clearly aware of the importance of this, the manager has spoken of his disappointment at being unable to hold training sessions in our new home - with the original pitch being stripped before the final test event.

After two successive defeats, David Moyes will be eager to get back to winning ways.

With millions at stake for each place in the Premier League - and a squad rebuild penned in for this summer – finishing as high as possible could be the difference between signing a player and not.

Saturday appears to be an ideal fixture - on paper - to help Everton keep moving in the right direction.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Everton have made 27-year-old Tottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison their first-choice attacking target this summer. (Givemesport), external

Meanwhile, the Toffees are in talks with midfielder Idrissa Gueye over a new contract. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Here are some of your replies:

Chelsea fans

Baz: That was a more determined performance from the Blues. To hold on to a 1-0 lead for that long, and then fight through a determined last 20 minutes from Everton, was surprising. It has left me delighted. We look so much better when we thrust at opponents, rather than this slow build-up and possession style that is one poor pass and counter-attack away from catastrophe. The Premier League has few easy games but a win was a must. We need to show the same doggedness against better opposition and further raise our game. The Champions League remains a possibility.

Gary: Poor performance from Chelsea. They got a win but their ability in front of goal is appalling! We need a striker who can control the ball and bring other players into the game. Nicolas Jackson is not that player.

Paul: Like petulant children, Madueke and Jackson were an embarrassment to Chelsea football club in the second half. Sad days indeed.

Jak: Papering over the cracks - we just about saw off a strangely passive Everton team. Enzo Maresca is a fraud who is way out of his depth and is squandering the talent at his disposal. In a poor Premier League season, we should have coasted to at least fourth place, but we will ultimately miss out on Champions League qualification due to his ineptitude.

Everton fans

Dave: Unfortunately we are too slow in midfield to compete with the top teams. We employ wide men yet we continue to pass through the midfield and get pickpocketed every time. A major clearout is needed to begin the 2025-26 season at our new ground.

Chris: Sadly yet another mistake cost us the game. A draw would have been a fairer result, although that would have been our 15th of the season. They won the first half but we won the second half, even though we failed to score. Moyes has done well but we need to convert draws to wins and 1-0 losses to draws. We lack quality, and fighting spirit is not always enough. Let's go for maximum points from our last games.

Peter: Everton are on the beach, just as Moyes feared. The creativity, work rate, control and finishing have all gone on holiday. It was like an old Sean Dyche set-up.

Greg: Moyes persists with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jack Harrison but neither give us anything. Carlos Alcaraz has to start and Dwight McNeil. Surely Moyes knows what he needs and, with the exception of Idrissa Gueye and Alcaraz, the rest of the out-of-contract or loan players can go.

Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, which saw Ipswich Town's relegation from the top-flight confirmed.

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

Listen back to full match commentary from Newcastle United 3-0 Ipswich Town on BBC Sounds.

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Everton winger Dwight McNeil has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside following the defeat at Stamford Bridge: "I felt like we were miles better in the second half. The first half was difficult, but it was always going to be difficult coming here.

"It was just a mistake that led to the goal and that's what happens at this level. If you make a mistake, you get punished - especially against a top side.

"That's what let us down today and not being productive enough in the final third. I think we have to create more clear cut chances because that's what we are lacking at the minute."

On coming back after a long period out: "It was frustrating, four months out. I was playing through pain before but then I had the surgery and I just wanted to get back because I felt like I was playing well.

"I'm happy to be back with the lads and I'm just trying to get my fitness up every day in training. I'm trying to play for my place in the team.

"David Moyes coming in whilst I was injured has been a different experience for me, but I've been trying to learn what the manager wants. It's a different type of football that we are playing.

"I'm happy to be back and just waiting to get my chance again."

On wanting to be in David Moyes' future plans: "Definitely, he talks to me about it a lot. He only wants the club to go one way, which we all do, and that is up. But there is still a lot of work that we all need to do to get to that point."

Listen to the full interview here

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Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the defeat: "We were perhaps fortunate to only be 1-0 down at half-time, but we stuck at it and grew into the game and played very well in the second half.

"We were just lacking quality to get a finish on the end of some of our play. The substitutes made a big difference. It looked like we had more energy and were more creative."

On Beto being dispossessed for the goal: "You see it in football all the time. We played the ball into the centre-forward's feet, he doesn't retain possession and the opposition go on and score.

"We don't accept it, but the modern game sees lots of players do it. We are trying to play better and these are the things we need to be better at."