The Friedkin Group takeover is officially complete - and the new era at Everton can finally commence.
As Farhad Moshiri departs after eight years of stewardship, what should the priorities be for the new ownership?
Is there an imminent decision to make around Sean Dyche's future?
Should they be focusing on the January transfer window?
Or are there more pressing issues to sort out?
The takeover of Everton by the Friedkin Group is set to be confirmed on Thursday. (Times - subscription required), external
Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton's desperate December has so far turned out to be completely different from the less-than-great expectations the dreadfully difficult fixture schedule had hinted at.
Despite the 4-0 mauling by Manchester United on the first day of the month, the two matches since have yielded four very valuable points.
The victory against Wolves at Goodison, directly after the Old Trafford debacle, could hardly have been more emphatic. Given the standard of opposition, it might be worthwhile not getting too carried away with the result, but it is always worth remembering that you only get three points for whoever you beat.
Saturday's unexpected but very welcome point from the 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium points to the significant improvement in Everton's defending in the past month or so. Four clean sheets from the past five Premier League matches has an impressive and important feel.
The lack of goals scored at the other end remains problematic. But there was a renewed sense of conviction about their attacking against Wolves and that will need to continue if they are to trouble much-improved Chelsea when they come to Goodison Park on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca has done an incredible job at Stamford Bridge so far. Given the quality and depth of the squad and the amount of money spent, perhaps we should not be too surprised.
However, getting the best from the wonderfully gifted group of players at Chelsea also owes much to how he has pruned an unnecessarily bloated squad. They have plenty of potential match winners in their squad, not least Cole Palmer, possibly the Premier League's stand-out player over the past 18 months.
Sean Dyche knows the size of the task and Everton will need a performance full of energy and endeavour to have any hope of success. However, they do have a really good recent record against Chelsea at Goodison Park and that will be an obvious reference point for the players.
If Dwight McNeil is able to overcome his knee injury, he will add more guile and invention to their attack. Orel Mangala has done more than enough to justify his place in the team in recent matches. Dyche should therefore resist the temptation to move Abdoulaye Doucoure to a deeper role at Mangala's expense if McNeil is fit.
If there is a vulnerability at Chelsea, then it is in the heart of defence. They lack a really commanding central defender and the manager is still searching for his best combination. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez often makes poor decisions can lead to opponents being gifted clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.
This match represents another tall order but it is a challenge Dyche and his players will be keen take on.
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Briony Bragg
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesI have never been so pleased to watch my team sit so deep for the entire game, but away against a side pushing for the title I will make an exception. Particularly when our record at Arsenal does not make for happy reading. A bit like our upcoming fixtures, which I still feel very uncertain about.
It was a memorable win last season against Chelsea, a fixture that normally seems to come around this time of year. I have happy memories of Duncan Ferguson dancing down the touchline when Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 3-1.
But Enzo Maresca is doing a fantastic job at Chelsea. There is no denying they are in the title race, however much he may try and avoid talking about it.
Yet I wonder how Goodison Park will react on Sunday if our tactics mirror those deployed at Emirates Stadium. We saw similar against Fulham at home, and the crowd were miserable about it. Playing at home is totally different. Fans want entertainment.
However, I can see Dyche wanting to play it safe, particularly when a trip to Manchester City is next up - we all know they need a win.
We want to see more from Calvert-Lewin who, if he wants to leave, needs to put himself in the shop window properly as there were not many suitors in the summer.
I can understand why.
The entirety of Dyche's tactics has him stood with his back to goal to hold the ball up, surrounded by opposing defenders. He needs a different style of play that suits him, something Dyche cannot offer.
Look at Chris Wood flourishing under Nuno Espirito Santo - it reminds me of Calvert-Lewin under Ancelotti. I struggle to believe we will see him back to his best before we say goodbye to him, but I hope he proves me wrong.
Find more from Briony Bragg at This Fan Girl, external
Image source, Getty ImagesEx-Everton defender Alan Stubbs has revealed his most memorable injury story - and it comes as quite a surprise!
The former centre-back ultimately retired from playing because of a knee injury but actually what he most remembers is when his manager got hurt, in unexpected fashion.
"When I was at Everton, David Moyes was the manager at the time and was going through a little bit of a health kick," Stubbs told BBC Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast. "He was trying to get a little bit fitter.
"One afternoon, we had been in the gym and it was just as we moved to Finch Farm, which was a state-of-the-art training ground. The gym was a big gym and we're around the corner and the gaffer was on the treadmill with the fitness coach, Dave Billows.
"Dave [Billows] is speeding the treadmill up as it's going. The gaffer [Moyes] has said, 'Yeah, you can go a bit faster, a bit faster,' so Dave's put it up.
"As he's done that, the gaffer has gone to do his steps, he fell, tripped on the treadmill - and it is going at about 16, 17 miles per hour - and shot him all the way back into one of the weight apparatus!"
Rather than show sympathy however, Stubbs explained he and his Everton team-mates enjoyed pretending they were not aware of it.
"He has scraped all of his face and his leg on the treadmill and we all just ran out of gym because we all knew what was going to happen next," Stubbbs continued.
"We've gone into the changing rooms and the next minute the gaffer's come out and he's gone into the coaches' changing room. We've walked in going: 'All right has anyone seen the gaffer?' as if we didn't know [what had happened]! When we walked in, you could see all his face was cut and all his legs.
"So yeah, that was probably the best one!"
Everton are monitoring 22-year-old Rangers and Morocco striker Hamza Igamane, with the futures of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto at the club unclear. (TBR Football), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton striker Armando Broja has said Everton are "going to stick together and hopefully get more results" but knows the club have more tough fixtures before the end of the year.
The Albania international will be ineligible to face his parent club this weekend as the Toffees host Chelsea on Sunday, but he will hope to be back in the squad for their Boxing Day trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.
But Everton have picked up four points from their last two games, including a point against Arsenal on Saturday, and speaking to the club's official website, external about the draw at the Emirates, Broja said: "This was a great point for us. Four points in the last two games - It's really important.
"It's only going to get harder from now, but we're just going to stick together and hopefully get more results."
Broja, who joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer, made his first appearance for the club in the recent victory against Wolves and speaking about his move he said: "I've been at Chelsea my whole life, but I've gone to Everton which is a massive club.
"The expectations are high, but I like having that pressure as well because it makes me play better. I was happy to come back from my injury and had my debut last week."
The 23-year-old has made both of his appearances off the bench and was asked if he thinks he's ready for his first start for the club: "That's obviously down to the manager. I can only train well and do the things they want from me."
But when called upon the Albanian has vowed to "fight, help out the team, try to draw fouls, try to get my team up the pitch, try to do the basics of football.
"Obviously it's down to the manager and what team he decides to have. I can only keep applying pressure and keep doing my part."
Mike Richards
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAnti-football. Parking the bus. A lower-league approach.
Whatever way you choose to describe Everton's performance at Arsenal, a point at Emirates Stadium was a surprising early Christmas present for us all.
The match highlighted the almost embarrassing gulf between the two sides, however.
We could spend and have spent many hours discussing our current 'brand' of football. The hope is it is resigned to the past over the next 12 months, as a bright new future becomes our reality.
One player who has so often been the light amid the darkness is Jordan Pickford.
So often sneered at and willed to fail by the national football press, he once again highlighted why he is the best our club has had since Neville Southall and one of the best the country has ever produced.
Without Pickford, it does not bear thinking about where our football club would be.
He highlighted his shot-stopping qualities on numerous occasions against Arsenal. At one point, it felt like a personal crusade to ensure his clean sheet was kept intact.
He is certainly one player who falls into the 'success' category of the Farhad Moshiri era. An era that is set to end this week.
Premier League approval was mooted on Friday. Either way, the club is on the verge of a brave new dawn.
The off-field anxieties immediately lift. Concerns about month-to-month funding is eradicated.
For the first time in over three years, it feels we will be able to breathe again as a fanbase.
Being stagnant and hoping solely for survival will not be acceptable.
Standards will increase and mottos will become meaningful once again.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Nothing but the best is good enough.
Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external
Mark Scott
Final Score reporter at Emirates Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesIt might not have been easy on the eye, but the steel, resolve and discipline Everton displayed was understandably hailed by the players and manager alike.
Speaking to a few fans afterwards, there were mixed emotions, though. A point would have been gladly accepted before kick-off and a clean sheet at the Emirates isn't to be sniffed at either - but there were still complaints about a lack of ambition at the other end.
However, is it a case of needs must when you're one of those involved in the battle to stay out of the bottom three?
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Everton.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans:
Rachel: The inconsistency of this team is thoroughly disappointing. I think we have to face the facts that we simply aren't good enough. Teams like Chelsea are in the ascendancy. Arsenal put in an accomplished performance against Monaco three days ago yet cannot find a way to beat a team 15th in the league. No more excuses, Mikel Arteta. You know what to do.
Richard: Another disappointing result for AFC. Home games against lower-half teams are "must win" for any team with title aspirations. As ever, Arsenal had a lot of possession and passed the ball around nicely, but failed to score. A striker is urgently required in January.
Ste: Up front we're less X-factor and more Y-bother. Upgrades needed urgently if we're going to be anything other than a footnote in this title race.
Kelvin: Not surprised anymore. We can only hope to finish in the top four. If we don't buy a good number nine, then I fear we will start losing some of our senior players to clubs who are winning trophies.
Everton fans:
Peter: We defended and disrupted well, but didn't make enough chances. Solid performance in all, but it would have been so sweet to nick a cheeky goal in the final few minutes.
Dave: Digging in for a boring defensive game does nothing towards entertaining the supporters. Boring boring Sean Dyche and boring football. Most Everton fans are used to this mind-numbing football now as Everton persevere with one poor striker trying to pinch a goal. If not, a bore draw is usually served up. Boring tactics to kill a game. Why can't the mighty Everton go into a game with attractive football expecting to score a few goals? Dyche out asap!
Andy: We showed very little ambition and parked the bus, but there is no shame in that against one of the top teams. Great shift by all concerned. Unexpected point to be honest. In future seasons we need to target giving Arsenal a game as equals. Dyche won't be part of that equation but as long as he keeps us up this season, I can't complain too much.
David: Good to see the re-emergence of our strong defensive work that was missing in the first few games of this season. A solid display and considering where we are currently and our history with this fixture a point is a massive bonus. Well done, Blues!
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton defender Jarrad Branthwaite believes Saturday's draw at Arsenal "shows how good a team" the Toffees can be.
Speaking after the game, Branthwaite said: "We're all buzzing - to come down here and get a point the way we did, everyone's buzzing.
"It shows how good a team we can be, defensively today we were solid - front to back. We knew it was going to be hard coming down here, we had to stay on it at all times and that's what we've done.
"You've got to stay mentally aware, if you don't in a split second they can be in and score - it's tiring but that's the work as a footballer, when you come off the pitch and you've picked up a point like we have it's all worth it."
Branthwaite played the full 90 minutes for the fifth consecutive game, after a spell on the sidelines through injury.
He added: "After such a long time out, it's been difficult getting up to speed, coming into the Premier League where they've played so many games and I haven't played anything for three/four months. I'm starting to find my feet and as a back four we're working well.
"I am getting there and obviously I'm still getting sharper and fitter. It's going to take a little bit longer than the four games I've had but I'm feeling a lot better in myself, feeling stronger and I've just got to keep on top of my body so I don't have any setbacks."
Listen to the whole of his interview
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal (17) and Everton (13) have kept the most Premier League clean sheets in 2024.
Everton have kept six clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games, but have failed to score in six of those matches during this period. The Toffees have now played out 109 goalless draws in the Premier League, the most in the competition's history (overtaking Aston Villa, 108).
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton boss Sean Dyche told BBC Sport after today's match: "You have to know how to work it without the ball. It's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have the ball. You have to do the other things well.
"Ashley Young has been in great form. Great strength of character. Vitalii Mykolenko, one of his big strengths is one on ones. The midfield three were excellent.
"They're a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics - pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.
"They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were.
"It's another step in the right direction."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford speaking after today's draw: "It's about how we apply ourselves - stick to the game plan and suffer. We suffered a lot without the ball. We dug a point out.
"Two defeats in 10 or 11. The discipline is there. Against Arsenal you'd smash and grab a point all day long.
"I made some good saves at good times. The lads made some brlliant blocks. A good performance from everyone."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Arsenal’s performance
What did you make of Everton’s display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you all the key moments.
Arsenal v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Newcastle v Leicester
Wolves v Ipswich
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 16 he takes on darts star Stephen Bunting, who is a Liverpool fan.
Bunting, who is ranked eighth in the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) order of merit, takes on Alan Soutar or Kai Gotthardt in the second round of the PDC World Championship, which starts at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Arsenal dominated Fulham in their draw last weekend, but did not create much from open play.
Fulham are a well-organised team, but I was still a little disappointed in Mikel Arteta's side.
Martin Odegaard was not as influential as usual, and it showed, but the Gunners were still a threat from set-pieces, which is how they got their goal.
People joke about how Arsenal are like Tony Pulis' old Stoke City side in that respect, but I see their ability to score from corners as being a feather in their cap rather than something to sneer at.
The Gunners are definitely more pragmatic this season but fair play to them for being so effective at set-pieces - a few other teams must wish they carried the same level of threat in those situations - and I don't see them slipping up against Everton.
Sean Dyche's side will sit in and they don't mind a set-piece either, so this could be a battle of who is better at corners, but I'd back Arsenal to come out on top.
Bunting's prediction: 3-0
Arsenal will win this quite easily. They are playing well, and Everton have been struggling.
Everton boss Sean Dyche says it could be an "incentive" for players to step up their levels if their contracts are set to run out next summer.
The Blues have 12 players - eight on permanent deals and four on loan - whose contracts are set to come to an end when the season finishes.
It is a list that includes Dominic Calvert-Lewin, captain Seamus Coleman and centre-back Michael Keane. However, the ongoing talks over a takeover of the club is making it difficult for contract negotiations to take place.
"Each player is different. Whether you are in or out of contract, your goal should be the same," Dyche said. "Playing well consistently for the club, that shouldn't change.
"You could argue that if your contract is coming to an end then that can add a bit of incentive, because if there is not a lot of noise about you then you need to create the noise.
"I don't think it is a terrible or questionable situation. It is just the reality at the moment. People know a lot about the history of contract situations at this club - we are just down a different road at the moment.
"It is not helpful with ownership situation, but we just have to wait and see."
