Everton

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Boxing Day's Premier League game at Manchester City (12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ashley Young's neck injury "should settle down quite quickly" but he is suspended for Saturday anyway and Dwight McNeil is still "touch and go" though Dyche thinks "probably not for this one".

• Tim Iroegbunam and James Tarkowski are "still a little bit away" but are "getting back on the grass".

• Dyche believes last week's takeover has already impacted the feel around the club: "There was a good atmosphere before the game against Chelsea around the stadium. When things are uncertain people don't like that. The Friedkin Group have bought some stability. That is a start point."

• He clarified his comments on Profit and Sustainability Rules in relation to the January transfer window: "What I mean is there is still guidelines. It doesn't mean there is any trouble there. There are rules every club have to stay inside of. It is not specific, there is no trouble or anything like that. There just will not be endless money for every situation. There is no problem."

• Discussing whether additions are expected, Dyche said: "It is still going to be tough. The guidelines and what the club are suggesting - we will still have to be quite guarded. We can't throw money but I don't think this group will do that anyway. They want to build something. Their words are stability."

• On opponents Manchester City and their recent difficult run: "When the details are not right, things don't work even for the top teams. It's unlikely Pep [Guardiola] has had many spells like this and it happens even to the best and he is the best ever. For him to have a testing period shows how tough the game is and for the top sides to stay at the very top."

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Although draws do not propel you up the table very far, the points gained against Arsenal and Chelsea - both with clean sheets - can be viewed as excellent results.

If Everton can get something at Manchester City on 26 December, they will have navigated a particularly tough run of fixtures admirably. That said, the fixtures after Boxing Day are tough too, but that is the Premier League for you.

Defensively, Everton are sound - five clean sheets in the past six games. Clearly they need goals now, but given the quality of the opposition recently, it has been a good run.

The return of Armando Broja will be a big boost in that regard. He just needs a run in the side now and will add to the Blues' striking threat.

The Boxing Day game is fascinating. Everton will need all of that defensive solidity because, despite recent form, City are still a formidable threat - home or away.

But, with the takeover now in place too, there is a feeling of stability again, which Sean Dyche's side will hope they can feed off in the coming weeks.

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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BBC Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

G, the Evertonian asked: Hi Phil, Gary Neville said Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the bests crossers of a ball in Premier League history. Who would you rate as top? I think Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best with mentions to Beckham, Shearer, Baines and De Bruyne.

Phil answered: Afternoon, G: I think Alan Shearer was more of a beneficiary of crosses than a crosser himself but all the others are very worthy of mention. I'd go with Beckham and Alexander-Arnold with not much between them. In fact I'm thinking De Bruyne as well now!

You mention you are an Evertonian. I don't know if you are old enough to remember Dave Thomas in the late 70s team but he was as good as I have seen – left foot, right foot, on the run, standing start, set pieces. If you are not old enough, ask someone about him.

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Former Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says there are "definitely brighter times ahead" after the takeover of the club by The Friedkin Group was finally confirmed last week.

The takeover has prompted Everton fan groups to look forward with "hope and optimism" after a chaotic nine-year period under British-Iranian businessman Farhad Mosihiri.

"A lot can change in a short space of time in football, and I think the last couple of weeks have been a lot more positive than maybe before," Begovic told BBC World Service's Sportsworld.

"I think the fact that we've picked up a couple of really good results and good performances and then you have the news of the new ownership group coming here and the positivity - I think more than anything it hopefully brings stability.

"I think there's always been a level of uncertainty for everyone involved in the club, not just the players, but the staff, the support staff.

"Definitely brighter times ahead, hopefully, but I know for myself as a player and being involved with the team it's all about making sure we try and keep those performances and results going for now.

"Then, I'm sure everything else will take care of itself."

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Neil: Another good point against a top side. There was nothing too exciting at times but we also had chances to win it. The final third remains a big issue, although there are signs it is improving.

Ron: It's not a result that will live long in the memory, but we have managed to take a point from Arsenal and a point from Chelsea. If 0-0 draws keep us from an end of season relegation scrap, I'm happy with it.

Jeff: Some might say that it is a valuable point against a top team - just like last week against Arsenal - but don't forget we lost three very expensive points to Southampton. Points-wise, I would rather have lost against Arsenal and Chelsea and beaten Southampton. Football-wise, it is getting very boring. The fifth 0-0 of the season. Next time I'm bringing a book to the match.

Ged: Chuffed. Dyche-ball will keep us up. The manager has helped the club weather one of the worst periods in recent history. I don't care about possession stats, he deserves a medal. We need to get through the Manchester City game, who knows what will happen there, and then it's onwards and upwards.

Chelsea fans

Mathew: Good point on the road. Robert Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo played really well for us. I also thought Pedro Neto played well and was a threat for us when going forward. It was a shame to see Nicolas Jackson's chance hit the post. Overall, I'm happy with the clean sheet. Now on to our Boxing Day match against Fulham.

Karl: This was the first time where there was some expectancy on us. We coped much better physically than we did last season in this fixture but, overall, we didn't do enough and could have lost it. So, for me, it's a point gained rather than two dropped.

Jeff: I'm very disappointed because of Chelsea's recent winning streak that they didn't win. I was expecting a lot more against this team - but well done, Everton. We could have tasted top spot.

Shaun: We have been getting carried away after a handful of good performances. This is a better reflection of where we are right now.

Cuthbert: The coach should be brave enough to pull Cole Palmer out, and not just Nicolas Jackson, when he is out of form. We have enough depth on the bench to rotate up front and win matches. We will face even more difficult teams, especially the top six, hence options should be there ready to break defences.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 0-0 Chelsea

• Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth

• Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool

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Since the beginning of October, Everton have kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League - the most of any team across Europe's big five leagues. Sean Dyche's side have kept five clean sheets across their last six league matches.

The Toffees put an end to Chelsea's 15-match scoring run in the Premier League, with the Blues failing to score for the first time in the league since a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the opening day of the season.

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Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to Match of the Day about holding Chelsea to a goalless draw: "I said before game that Enzo Maresca has done a fine job, and they have certainly shown the power they have got.

"We could have nicked it. It was two teams going at it in the right way. You have to be willing to put a shift in and I think that was on show today.

"The chances were minimal. They had a couple and we had a couple towards the end. We take a point.

"I've never not been proud of these players. We have come through a storm. I respect them. We want to be productive in possession, but it's not easy against these teams."

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Everton defender James Tarkowski has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the result: "We had a tough game away at Arsenal last week but today I thought we would get chances, and in the second-half we did.

"Another clean sheet on the board and we are building at the minute. We are stopping the top teams from scoring against us.

"I'm proud of the way we worked today, against a top side, so it's a good point. They have got some good players, especially Cole Palmer, who we kept quiet.

"Under this manager, we have built something special. Defensively, we have been good under the period that he has been here."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

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

There are five matches in the Premier League on Sunday.

• Everton v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Southampton

• Leicester v Wolves

• Man Utd v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Liverpool (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all 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 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

The takeover at Everton has gone through now so there will probably be some speculation about Sean Dyche's future, but they would get rid of him now at their peril.

Basically, if they want to stay in the Premier League this season then they have to keep him as manager.

Dyche's Everton side are not tearing up any trees but they showed in the draw at Arsenal how resolute they are - they are awkward and difficult to break down.

Even so, you can't back against Chelsea right now, with the confidence they are playing with and the winning run they are on.

I've gone for three away wins already this week, which is a bit risky, but this has to be number four.

In FPL, Cole Palmer has some really hot streaks where he picks up lots of points and also some runs where he is much quieter.

I am backing him to come good this weekend in FPL and the real thing and play a big part in another Chelsea victory.

McClure's prediction: 0-2

I have become quite pally with Everton boss Sean Dyche. We supported Courteeners at the last minute at Leeds in November because they did not have a support band and, next thing I know, I have got Sean in my dressing room.

As well as really liking him, I have got my family connection to Everton so I am loathe to predict they will lose but I cannot see past Chelsea here.

Looking at current form, they are not far off being the best team in the Premier League. They have got Nicolas Jackson firing now, Palmer obviously is a genius and Noni Madueke is a really exciting talent.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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BBC Sport commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball has reflected on his experience commentating at Goodison Park before what could be his final match at the ground on Sunday.

The dramatic late winner scored by Dominic Calvert-Lewin in 2022 to secure Premier League survival sticks in his mind as a moment of high drama - and slight confusion.

"I don't know what the rest of my schedule is but Chelsea against Everton could be the last commentary personally I do at Goodison Park," Bruce-Ball told The Commentators' View podcast.

"One of the most dramatic moments I have have ever witnessed commentating happened there.

"Under Frank Lampard, they came back from 2-0 down against Crystal Palace to win 3-2 to stay up. Noise like that - it was amazing.

"We often talk about the commentary position at Goodison Park with the old pillar being in the way. Everton were playing towards that goal to the left of that commentary position. For the third goal, I was pretty sure Calvert-Lewin had scored itbut it was a packed penalty area and he was hidden behind the stanchion.

"I thought what I'll do is use that classic old commentators' trick of seeing who the players run to in the celebration. But, because it was such an important goal for Everton they basically all ran off as if they had scored it in different directions.

"I thought 'I'm not entirely sure who scored that' but I got lucky and guessed it was Calvert-Lewin!"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Things are changing at Everton.

The Football News Show has looked into what The Friedkin Group's takeover could mean at Goodison Park.

Watch the show in full above or on iPlayer here

There's major change at Everton but is Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting "comfortable" given the length of his stay at the club?

Jermaine Beckford discussed the prospect on The Football News Show.

Watch a clip below or a special on Everton on The Football News Show here

Is Sean Dyche the right man to lead Everton after the club was taken over by The Friedkin Group?

Watch The Football News Show speak to fans, former players and reporters about Everton's future and what life may look like under new owners.

Access a clip above or the show in full on iPlayer here