Everton

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The unbeaten run rolls on, but it was certainly a question of what could have been when the full-time whistle blew at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Everton can certainly be blamed for throwing away what seemed a comfortable 2-0 lead to Manchester United, but we found ourselves discussing head-scratching officiating once again.

As a football fan, I get bored of constantly having to scrutinise officials and the impact of VAR on the modern game.

In its current guise, it is evaporating the soul of the sport.

Every time the ball hits the back of the net, that spontaneous eruption of joy is tempered upon the realisation that VAR could soon intervene. You find yourself holding back and never truly letting yourself enjoy the moment.

We saw it with Beto's goal in the first half. A prolonged stoppage for a razor-thin offside review.

It is painful. It is not progress. It is not football.

Fast forward to the awarding of a stoppage-time penalty after a clear shirt pull on Ashley Young and VAR once again proved how it simply is not used correctly by those at Stockley Park.

The famous words "clear and obvious" should be written on the walls of every control room within the now infamous VAR headquarters.

To even send the referee to the screen was baffling and totally unjustified.

It was at that point that I sat back down in my seat, knowing Andy Madley would not have the courage of his convictions to stick with his original decision.

The fall back of technology has muddied the waters. It creates doubt when it should create clarity. It interferes when it should stay quiet. It feels like an orchestrated soap opera.

The Premier League is on a one-way trip to driving supporters away from stadiums.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League draw between Everton and Man Utd.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Dave: Everton absolutely bossed the first half and then went into that strange unsure mode that they seem to reserve when they are two or more goals up. An otherwise poor United side took advantage of the gift. But the real talking point is how VAR saw a 'clear and obvious mistake' for the penalty, and why didn't the referee get shown the angle that showed two clear pulls on Ashley Young's shirt? Ruined the game and an apology should be issued.

Gary: Feels like two points lost but that just shows how far we have come since David Moyes returned to Everton. Feel we should have got Carlos Alcaraz on sooner as opposed to Young, but Jordan Pickford will be kicking himself to concede the goal from Bruno Fernandes as he was out of position.

Graham: How can you dominate a game so much and then come out for the second half and just naively sit back and let the opposition come on to you? Moyes had a liking for this strategy in his first tenure and so often paid the price. This is not what Everton fans want to see, especially at Goodison Park, and hopefully the two points thrown away will be a wake-up call.

Samuel: Another great performance for the majority of the game but we gave United an opening and they took it. However, I don't think you're likely to see a clearer penalty this season both with the shirt pull from Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire's arm round Young. No clue why it was overturned. Complete robbery!

United fans

Stephen: Ruben Amorim is asking his players, who are devoid of any confidence or self-belief, to play with bravery on the ball and dominate possession. They are currently frightened before they even step foot on the pitch and the last thing they want is the ball at their feet. The wiping out of the penalty right at the end of the game gives the manager and the players a scraped draw that could just give us a foothold to keep going.

Martyn: United were far inferior and seemed incapable of matching Everton in all aspects in the first half. Totally different in second half, especially after Alejandro Garnacho's introduction. Casemiro also did well further forward when Fernandes moved back. A little fortunate with Andre Onana making one or two important saves, along with the VAR decision. Two great strikes from Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

Steve: Just same old, same old. I don't understand how Amorim can continue with his tactics when they clearly aren't working. Let's play football in a way that the players can show their ability, not something that worked in the Portuguese league. Don't be stubborn at Manchester United's expense.

Mark: Very poor first half but recovered nicely, showed some spirit and should have won. I'm afraid Amorin's negative comments are not doing the team or supporters any favours. He needs to learn and stop immediately.

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Everton's Jake O'Brien says his side "were the better team" in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United and the point "feels like a loss".

The Toffees squandered a 2-0 lead but were controversially denied a late penalty after VAR intervened to reverse the referees' on-field decision that Ashley Young was fouled.

"He's [the referee] got decisions wrong, not just the penalty but many that didn't go our way and could have changed the game," O'Brien said.

"We came away with a point but, at the end of the day, it feels like a loss because we were the better team.

"For 20 minutes we switched off, decisions didn't go our way, and they punished us for that.

"We came into the game confident, on a good run of games, knowing we can play and defend. It's just moments like we had at the end - 10 or 20 minutes where we just switched off and maybe a few lads were tired, and they punished us."

Since appearing as a substitute in David Moyes' first game since returning as manager in January, O'Brien has started seven consecutive matches and is relishing his role in the squad.

"I'm definitely enjoying playing, I'm feeling part of the team and am on a good run of games," he added.

"I've done all right but I've got a lot more in me to show as well. Moyes has been great since he's come in. He wants us playing more attacking football, we are more stable as a team and are giving our best in every game.

Listen to the full chat on the Everton feed on BBC Sounds

Real Madrid remain keen on Jarrad Branthwaite but are reluctant to meet Everton's £62m valuation for the centre-back. (Diario AS - in Spanish), external

Tottenham are willing to sell Manor Solomon this summer, with the Blues and Leeds United, where the 25-year-old winger is on loan, interested. (Givemesport), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Leicester and Brentford.

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 0-1 West Ham

• Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea

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Everton boss David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We should have probably gone 3-0 up which would have made it harder for Manchester United to come back. We should have done better but the momentum went in Manchester United's favour at that time."

On the late penalty decision being overturned: "There is definitely a shirt pull on Ashley Young. I was surprised it went to VAR. The referee made his decision. From our point of view, it went against us but I'm really pleased with the players."

On Idrissa Gueye's performance: "He's been doing great, he's played really, really well and he is keeping it going. He does a great job for the team."

On Everton's good run of form: "Us picking up points, a few games ago, we were in a relegation battle. We are still in it somehow but we have to make sure we get out of it. Today was a difficult game."

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Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure has more Premier League goal involvements against Manchester United (8 - 4 goals, 4 assists) than against any other side.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

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

There are seven Premier League games on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Manchester United (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Wolves

• Ipswich v Tottenham

• Southampton v Brighton

• Arsenal v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live (coverage will start on 5 Sports Extra)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Everton have moved above Manchester United in the table, and they go into this game as favourites - and rightly so.

The Toffees are without the injured Iliman Ndiaye, which is a big blow for them, but Beto's improvement under David Moyes has been incredible and they definitely carry a goal threat now.

I actually think this game will be quite tight, though. I didn't think United's performance in last weekend's defeat at Tottenham was as bad as a lot of people made out.

They had some very good early chances they should have taken and I have a feeling they will have some opportunities this time too.

This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, which is what I am going with. One of my pals is an Everton fan and every time I haven't backed them to win under Moyes and they got something, he loved it.

He will probably be quite happy that I am not backing them here, either, but it's important for United boss Ruben Amorim that they get something at Goodison Park, and the way his side end this campaign is massive for him too.

United are not getting relegated whatever happens, but Amorim needs a decent result or two to build some credit for next season.

If he overhauls his squad in the summer, he needs to hit the ground running - it will be seen as being more his team and he has to get a tune out of them.

If that doesn't happen, then there is going to be a pile on from people saying there has been no progress since he took over from Erik ten Hag.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

David Moyes has had to tell Everton striker Beto he's "dreaming" with some of the shots he has been trying to score from, but believes the striker has improved since taking charge of the club.

The 27-year-old has scored four goals in five Premier League games under Moyes - as many as he managed in 42 league appearances under Sean Dyche.

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BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould believes "it's fitting" that David Moyes will be the manager that sees Everton leave Goodison Park and move to the new stadium.

Speaking about Moyes on the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's The Commentators' view podcast, Bould said: "He's just really relishing every single moment of being back and being part of this historic season, he's got to see Goodison out and I think that means a lot to him - it's a special place to him.

"While there's not been a trophy, he's the man that's brought some of the most incredible nights under the lights at Goodison - I think it's fitting.

"It's funny how life turns out and you go round in a big circle, I think he's enjoying it and wants to get well clear of that relegation zone. It's 13 points clear now so he has done great but, it's just to see Goodison out and enjoy it and then move into that new stadium."

BBC commentator John Murray also thinks Moyes is clearly showing that he is enjoying his time at Everton, and spoke about the chat he had with him after the Toffees beat Crystal Palace.

Murray said: "I had a chat with him at Selhurst Park, I thought it would be a quick chat but he was standing there for ages. They had just won a game but he was absolutely cock-a-hoop."

Listen to the full episode here

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Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Goodison Park (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes provided some injury updates on his squad: "We've got them [Carlos Alcaraz and Abdoulaye Doucoure] both fit at the moment. That gives us a decision to make. I'll need both of them. We're really short of numbers here - we've got nine or 10 players out injured."

• There was some good news about Iliman Ndiaye: "Ili [Ndiaye] has been taking injections and we're quite positive that he's working hard to get back quickly, so we're hoping we can get him back maybe before the time we thought."

• On whether there is anything personal against former club Manchester United: "No, not at all. I played against them a lot when I was manager of West Ham so it's another game in many ways. It's a great football club but my job is to try to beat them at the moment."

• On another two wins securing Premier League safety for the Toffees: "It sounds simple to say another two wins and you might get over the line. When you're sitting in this seat, every win in the Premier League is really, really difficult. I'm certainly not taking anything for granted."

• Moyes continued: "We've had a really good run and we've got to try to keep that going now. When you take over a team a little bit into the season, you have to find a way of getting the best results. Whatever we have asked the players to do, they've been fantastic. We are playing a lot better and doing a lot better in recent games."

• On Beto's impressive form: "If we'd bought a striker and paid big money for him, and he'd scored four in three starts, you'd say 'wow.' Beto has been given a big opportunity, and he's stood up and taken it. He's improved in the games as he's gone along, sometimes players need these opportunities. So, let's hope it continues and let's hope he can keep scoring."

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

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Everton's PR Manager of Football Media David Prentice has been speaking about the latest former players that are to be inducted as new Everton Giants.

Andy Gray, Derek Mountfield, Kevin Sheedy and Paul Bracewell are all going to be inducted at half-time in Saturday's game against Manchester United.

Speaking about what fans can expect on Saturday to BBC Radio Merseyside, Prentice said: "There's going to be flags shown before the game of each of the new inductees, and we're going to bring them onto the pitch at half-time.

"Peter Reid, who is already an Everton Giant, is going to make a presentation to them.

"The reward for being inducted as an Everton Giant, on the walkway at the new Everton stadium, those 36,000 stones being laid on the walkway - there are bigger versions of that and every Everton Giant gets their own huge big paving stone with all their details, goals, appearances and time played at the club laid on the walkway.

"Each inductee also gets their own replica stone which they can carry away - they'll be brought onto the pitch and it'll be nice for them to take a salute from the Gwladys Street one last time because they've been in front of the crowd and cheered that many times - but for some of them, not for quite a few years.

"I think it'll be quite emotional."

Listen to the full interview here

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Everton's January loan signing Charly Alcaraz says he would like to play for the club "for a longer period" and it would be "brilliant" to experience the atmosphere at the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium when it fully opens next season.

Alcaraz played in Southampton's opening game of the season before moving to Brazilian side Flamengo for £15m.

However, he returned to the Premier League in January with a point to prove after being apart of the Saints team that was relegated in the 2022-23 season.

"Even before [Everton's interest] I was thinking I would love to come back to the Premier League because it is the best league in the world and I like a challenge," he said.

"I wanted to challenge myself and what better way than to do so at a big club like Everton.

"I am a very confident person and I have strong belief in my ability, and the only way to prove that is to come back and take on that challenge again and succeed here."

Alcaraz's loan deal includes an option to buy and the 22-year-old says he would like to stay in England after playing for five clubs in five years.

"I would like to settle down and be playing in this shirt for a longer period," he added.

"It would be brilliant to play there [Bramley-Moore Dock], for sure.

"The confidence from the manager, his coaching staff and my team-mates means I can do my thing, do my own stuff and prove who I am as a player."