Everton

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

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at home against Chelsea (14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are "still a bit behind the curve" and "making progress but not quick progress" as they build their fitness while Dwight McNeil is "touch and go" with a "niggly knee". Dyche is "hopeful" McNeil can feature.

• Dyche has met with new executive chairman Marc Watts: "It was about the format moving forward. They are fully supportive of me, the staff and the team going forward. They were asking questions about what I have learnt in my time and the overall feel of the club."

• On the takeover: "It is not an immediate change but it would be good if it is a little bit more stable than it has been since I got here. The possible change of owners is now sorted. I hope it [the takeover] brings a positive mood to the team."

• He wishes Dele Alli well after he confirmed his departure from the club earlier on Friday: "The major point that we agreed as a collective was to get him back to a good place and I think he is there. He has been nothing but an ease for me to work with. Onto a new challenge but we certainly wish him well."

• Dyche is not expecting the takeover to have an impact on the January transfer window: "There's only so much that can be done with immediacy, which they know. The immediate [situation] in January is going to dominated by the PSR [Profit and Sustainability] position of years gone by of what the club had been doing."

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

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Dele Alli says he is leaving Everton and is "turning a new page".

In a statement published on social media, external, the 28-year-old former England international wrote: "As widely published, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities.

"Before any of that happens, it's very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton for the support they have given me.

"It has been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the pieces together to regain match fitness and I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into the process.

"Unfortunately things haven't worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it is the right time for me to turn a new page.

"I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and hopefully we will see each other again soon."

After joining Everton in January 2022, Dele has made 13 appearances for the club and spent last season on loan at Besiktas.

Former Everton midfielder Aaron Lennon was on 5 Live Sport talking about the time the Toffees nearly signed a young Erling Haaland.

Lennon was introduced to Haaland by Steve Walsh, who was the club's director of football at the time.

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Farhad Moshiri's departure is "being celebrated a lot more than the new owners coming in", says Everton fan David Downie.

The British-Iranian businessman's chaotic tenure in charge of the Toffees came to an end on Thursday after he sold his stake in the club to The Friedkin Group in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £400m.

"It has been a long time coming," Downie told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I think Moshiri leaving is being celebrated a lot more than the new owners coming in. This man was not for Everton no matter how much money he had.

"It's been eight years with him in charge which is why I have some caution. I remember when he arrived we all thought he had taken us to the promised land.

"They will not make as much of a disaster out of it as Moshiri did. He did not look like he had any interest in Everton for the past two or three years. He spent some ridiculous money on ridiculous players which led to points deductions and charges.

"Everton have dodged a bullet here with with him going and 777 not taking over. We have come to an agreement with a gang of lads who actually like football. They look like the real deal from that regard.

"These guys have come in when Everton are in a seriously difficult financial situation and they are going to wipe all that off."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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BBC Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould says Everton supporters "feel very relieved" after The Friedkin Group finally confirmed their takeover on Thursday.

"It has been a rollercoaster around Everton for so long," she told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Farhad Moshiri's tenure will not be remembered fondly because fans want success on the pitch and it has been three relegation battles on the bounce - which you could say is four right now with the club in 16th.

"There has also been the financial breaches, the points deductions and an interim board in place for the last 18 months. Moshiri has not been a present owner - he has not been at games either.

"Assets like Richarlison and Amadou Onana have been sold for big money and not been replaced well. There is a little bit of caution because with Everton you always expect some kind of saga, but the supporters will feel very relieved."

Given the change of ownership and recent criticism of manager Sean Dyche, there has been speculation over his future but Bould does not expect an exit imminently.

"It is my understanding The Friedkin Group will hold talks with Sean Dyche and the director of football Kevin Thelwell to look at what they want to do going forward," she said.

"I don't anticipate any immediate change. The fans are frustrated by the style of football but I think for now he will be given a bit of time while the club is unusually stable. The club have not been stable for his entire tenure.

"There could potentially be a change at the end of the season but I think for now he will stay in place."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Former Everton captain Alan Stubbs joined BBC Radio Merseyside to discuss The Friedkin Group's takeover of the club:

"It is a great Christmas present for Everton fans, one that was a long time coming. We can draw a line under previous ownerships and move on into a brighter future, hopefully with the new stadium on the horizon.

"What they [The Friedkin Group] have done already is put in place some sort of structure, with Marc Watts as executive chairman, Daniel Friedkin as chairman and Ana Dunkel as chief financial officer, as well as keeping Colin Chong on an interim basis. Straight away, you are looking at people who have a business acumen taking the club forward. That is all that we have wanted.

"They have gone about it in an impressive way, they have not spoken too much, and as we all know, actions speak louder than words. We are looking for actions now.

"The one thing we can guarantee as a fanbase is that we will be right behind them. There is no doubt about that. This club is desperate for a lift."

Listen to the full interview now on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on what The Friedkin Group's priorities should be at Goodison Park, after the new ownership completed their takeover earlier on Thursday.

What are the most pressing issues they should be focusing on sorting out?

Here are some of your thoughts:

Neil: All I ask of The Friedkin Group is professionalism, competence and investment in the infrastructure, academy, senior men's and women's squads. I do not expect miracles, nor ridiculous splurges. Give us a clear long-term plan and focus on its delivery so that we, as fans, can focus on the football rather than finances.

Andy: I would take no January purchases and no new manager if we could just take some time to restructure the management of the club. We should look at Brighton and try to have a development structure in place.

Alex: Stability. Please just bring stability, and a platform to progressively and realistically build on! No more rash decisions or swapping managers every season. Let's have a clear and achievable plan to progress and move forward.

Fraizer: Job number one is to get everyone rowing in the same direction. The vision and direction needs to be clear from the fans to the manager, owners, players, youth set-up. Everything needs to be aligned, rather than this mismatch across the club. A statement signing would also be incredible. I'm sure many Blues would love to see Richarlison back in the new stadium!

Paul: First, they need to secure Premier League safety, which will need some new players bought in January. As much as the current style of play is terrible, I think Sean Dyche should stay until the end of the season and get us safe. The summer planning needs to start now. Line up the new manager, new players and - most exciting of all - the move to our fabulous new stadium.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

1. Revive the fanbase

Jeers and murmurs of discontent often fill the air at Goodison Park, which the Friedkin Group have experienced themselves during their ownership at Roma, so they will need to engage with the passionate supporters to understand their frustrations and their expectations moving forward.

Could making an eye-catching signing in the January transfer window be one way of bringing the Toffees fans onside early on?

2. Dyche's future

Sean Dyche is out of contract at the of the season, so the Friedkin Group need to decide whether they offer him new terms or bring in their own man.

At Roma, they have demonstrated they are not shy of making managerial changes. The group are onto their fourth manager in 2024 following the sackings of the popular Jose Mourinho and ex-captain De Rossi, with his replacement Ivan Juric lasting only 12 games before veteran Claudio Ranieri was called out of retirement.

3. Strict spending constraints

Due to the club's profit and sustainability position, the strict spending constraints mean Everton have had to use free transfers to strengthen their squad. Bringing four faces on loan last summer were also the most of any top-flight club, with those players also seeing their deals expiring in June.

Read the full piece here

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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At last! The day we feared we'd never see has arrived.

The significance of the takeover of the club by The Friedkin Group should not be underestimated. It's huge and a source of immense relief to all Evertonians.

Even writing this now it doesn't feel real that we've got another opportunity to reset and build our football club up once again.

The incredible stress and anxiety of the last few seasons has been immensely trying for everyone associated with the club.

There's a lot of work to do. That goes without saying. Board changes are already confirmed with more to come.

The immediate challenge is to ensure our Premier League status.

The Friedkin Group's purchase of the club can hopefully have a positive impact on the impending transfer window.

One major hurdle in recent windows has been how we have had to construct transfer deals, with low down payments a hurdle we have barely overcome.

This is something that has constrained us and will no longer be an issue going into January.

Sean Dyche's future will certainly be on the agenda but it appears he's bought himself time after the last two results.

I'm sure the new owner will want to take stock in the early weeks. Obviously, if things don't steadily improve on the pitch, then a decision will have to be made sooner rather than later.

For today at least, we can enjoy what is hopefully the start of a brave new dawn for our football club.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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We know the Farhad Moshiri era, it's been eight managers, it's been that revolving door, it's been financial breaches, points deductions, protests against the running of the club an interim board in place for 18 months as well. It's been difficult.

However, as of this morning, there are new owners, owning a 99.5% stake in the club. The Friedkin Group.

They're hitting the ground running, not just turning up today.

There will be some representatives at the Chelsea game on Sunday, so there will be some of the Freidkin group at Goodison, which I think they're going to love because I think it's going to boost the atmosphere anyway.

So the transfer window reopens on the 1 January, I wouldn't expect massive amounts of business because of PSR [profit and sustainability rules] and that's the Premier League's rules so you've got to stay within your threshold.

However, The Freidkin Group's vision for Everton reads as follows - 'Strengthening the men's first team squad through thoughtful and strategic investment'.

They are going to have meetings now with Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell, who is the director of football, and they're going to work very closely with them so I wouldn't expect too many changes at Everton.

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

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We asked for your views on what the priorities should be for The Friedkin Group now they have completed their takeover of Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Gerard: Back the manager until the end of the season. There are still a few tough games around the corner, and it would be easy to make a knee-jerk reaction. Everton are good enough as they are - one or two bits of astute business across the midfield and back four would be welcome, more for injury cover and competition than anything else. Our strikers might not be firing, but we have them for now, and that might be the summer's problem. It might even be a happy headache by then if one or two of them start to find form.

Steve: We need to find a manager and players who can play attractive attacking football. No more 30% possession and trying to nick a goal on the break - it's been torture watching for far too long.

Paul: A long time coming but finally the takeover has been completed. First need to secure Premier League safety, which will need some new players brought in January. As much as the current style of play is terrible, I think Sean Dyche should stay until the end of the season and get us safe. The summer planning needs to start now. Line up a new manager, some new players and, most exciting of all, the move to our fabulous new stadium.

David: Dyche to remain in place to the summer. Assess the club, players and staffing and don't be too knee-jerk in January. We need stability and simply to remain in the Premier League this year. Use the summer to rebuild, new ethos, new manager, new stadium…and a new bookkeeper to avoid any more PSR breaches!

Mike: Change of culture, change of management, refresh the team, boost the squad, find a striker who actually knows how to score, open up lines of communication with fans, solve world hunger, fix global warming...just the simple things first!

Noel: We need to get new players in the January transfer window but the main priority for the new owners is to clear the club's debt.

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Everton's takeover by the Friedkin Group is exactly the Christmas present their long-suffering fans craved after the years of chaos and crisis under Farhad Moshiri.

After an ill-judged dalliance with US-based 777 Partners and expressions of interest from Crystal Palace owner John Textor, American billionaire Dan Friedkin returned to the table after initially pulling back following a period of due diligence.

Friedkin's group now own 99.5% of Everton and - in this initial honeymoon period - will be welcomed with open arms by a fanbase that has suffered relegation battles, points deductions for failure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and was locked in civil war with the previous board.

Everton's new executive chairman Marc Watts delivered a measured first mission statement as he said the new era would be marked by "ambition and professionalism", adding: "We look forward to showing our commitment to the club through actions not words."

All of which will be music to the ears of Everton's fans.

Of more immediate interest will be the impact on manager Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell, with their contracts up at the end of the season. The January transfer window will be the first indicator of the new direction.

Friedkin showed his ambition at AS Roma by appointing - then subsequently sacking - Jose Mourinho, although this was also a period that brought their first major European trophy in the shape of the Europa Conference League in 2022.

For now, though, Everton supporters will be breathing more easily as they ponder what the new Friedkin-led era will bring.

After almost nine years, Farhad Moshiri's time as Everton owner has ended.

The British-Iranian businessman had brought much hope to the Toffees when he purchased a 49.6% stake in the club in February 2016, but his tenure did not pan out as planned.

Since becoming a majority shareholder at Goodison Park, Everton have mostly been on a downward trajectory - characterised by multiple managerial changes, financial struggles, points deductions and relegation battles.

Moshiri invested around £750m into the club but with little or no financial return.

Moshiri oversaw 11 different managerial stints at Goodison Park during his tenure, inheriting Roberto Martinez before appointing seven permanent first-team managers to try to restore the club back to its former glory.

The first six of those appointments lasted an average of just 309 days each, between their first and final games, before current boss Sean Dyche who is approaching two years at the helm.