Everton

This Premier League pursuit becomes a lot easier if you take your chances.

BBC Sport has checked in on some data comparing goals versus expected goals this season.

You can see from the bar graph some teams aren't finding the goals (yellow) to outstrip the expected goals they should score (black).

Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Leicester have all scored more than expected.

Wolves in particular have found the net 32 times from an expected 23.56 - a significant overperformance.

League leaders Liverpool are pretty much bang on in returning what they should, while Arsenal have outperformed, with 43 goals from an expected 37.78.

Bournemouth - 36 goals from an expected 43 - are leaving opportunities on the table.

Every so often, a player is described by a pundit as someone who "loves to defend".

Most fans would naturally welcome such a sort in their team, that player who stands tall, lets stuff bounce off him and somehow masters the ability to become a magnet to the ball when it enters the penalty area.

BBC Sport took a look at three metrics this season - headed clearances, blocks and tackles - to see which players seem to relish this kind of thing.

Everton's James Tarkowski leads the way, amassing a total of 131 across the three areas, with Brentford's Nathan Collins second. The two men have made 73 headed clearances each, a stat that proves their value when it comes to defending dead balls.

Murillo - fresh from his contract extension at Nottingham Forest - was highlighted in recent weeks for a no-nonsense display against Liverpool, when he frequently launched clearances into the night. He makes the top three across these metrics and while Brazilian players are so often lauded for their flair, he can proudly carry the 'loves-to-defend' tag.

Image source, Getty Images

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has become part of Everton's backroom staff, taking on a role as set-piece coach.

The Scot has joined forces with David Moyes, who has also appointed Alan Irvine as his assistant - a role he held during Moyes' last spell with the Toffees.

On Adam, Moyes said: "Charlie is someone I have had several chats with since rejoining the club. He will be helping with set-piece situations, an area he excelled in as a player and one I believe he can really help us with now as a coach."

The 39-year-old was most recently head coach of now League Two side Fleetwood Town, who he managed between December 2023 and December 2024.

Adam is not the only player to cross the Merseyside divide for a coaching role in recent years, with former Everton defender John Heitinga now an assistant first-team coach under Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has returned to training after more than three months out with a foot injury.

The 21-year-old signed from Aston Villa in the summer for a reported £9m but only made eight appearances before being side lined during the October international break.

His return is a boost for new manager David Moyes, but he is likely to be given minutes for the under-21s before returning to the matchday squad.

Speaking to the media before last Sunday's game against Tottenham, Moyes said fellow midfielder James Garner was also back in group training.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for you what one thing - good or bad - nobody is talking about at Everton but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Gareth: We have so many players either out of contract this summer (Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young, Idrissa Gana Gueye) or leaving following a loan period (Jack Harrison, Orel Mangala, Jesper Lindstrom). Even if (when) we do stay up, and move into the new stadium, we require a huge volume of new players at undoubtedly great expense subject to FFP. We'll need to spend a fortune just to stand still.

Luke: How many players are we going to be left with at the end of this season? With a dozen or so of our first-team squad out of contract at the end of the season, it could be a very busy summer transfer window and, despite the Friedkin money, are we going to be in a position to strengthen the squad while staying within PSR constraints?

Barry: The one thing people aren't talking about is the owners - and that can only be good news for Evertonians! After the turmoil of Moshiri, The Friedkin Group seem to be going about business quietly and discreetly in the background. If we can have owners who focus on running the business and leave the football to those appointed to run the club, we might get back to the stability of the previous David Moyes era.

Dave: For all the fair criticisms of Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell, they have left the club in a much better position for Moyes than it was a couple of years ago. All the big-money flops are gone, the wage bill is right down, the books are much healthier for PSR and the personality of the squad is good - lots of grafters in there. Moyes took the same steps when he first joined way back when and now, hopefully, he can start to add touches of class to the fairly blank slate he has inherited.

Richard: First, not really enough talk about the issues up front being related to full-backs not contributing well enough going forward. Secondly, we really miss James Garner but no-one mentions him. Thirdly, Jarrad Branthwaite's value will have halved over the past three months.

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a tough season so far for everyone at Everton, and the standout player for much of that time has been Jordan Pickford. Jarrad Branthwaite is also someone who generates headlines, but has had a season hampered by injury, much like Dwight McNeil.

But quietly going about his business recently has been Ashley Young, who, at the age of 39, has been among the club's more consistent performers of late, even while having to play at both right and left-back (and other positions too).

Iliman Ndiaye has also done well, which is not easy when the side have been struggling for wins, but he is someone who has that natural ability to go past players - and, as we saw against Tottenham, score goals too.

David Moyes will be hoping for more of that in the second half of the campaign, and that Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal will kick-start things for him.

Moyes will obviously want more players to shine now as he tries to guide the team back up the table.

There is another tough game at Brighton coming up, but the win over Spurs could act as a springboard towards instilling more confidence and belief.

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

There has been so much talk around David Moyes' return to Goodison Park, what he can achieve and whether he will be given reinforcements in this transfer window.

However, you know your club best - so what's the one thing at Everton no-one seems to be talking about, but really should be?

Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton defender Seamus Coleman says he is keen to take a job in coaching after his playing career ends.

The 36 year-old assisted another club legend Leighton Baines to take charge of Everton's FA Cup third round victory over Peterborough following the sacking of Sean Dyche.

"It was a crazy few hours, for sure," admits the Irish international. "I was due to be on the bench as a player on the night, then, obviously, it all changed very quickly.

"I think we used a mixture of both what he's been doing tactically and me being myself with the group, trying to make the lads understand the importance of it all and what's in store for the Football Club.

"Even just spending that little bit of time with Leighton is probably the first time I've properly planned for a match, albeit it was a very short period of time.

"Being on that side, seeing and feeling how it works and being on the sideline and seeing your team was good, and enjoyable.

"In the future it's definitely something I think I will have a crack at."

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

After Wednesday's narrow defeat to Aston Villa, you wondered whether Everton would have the privilege of a 'new manager bounce'.

Fast forward a few days and the first 77 minutes against Tottenham provided evidence that the new manager's influence is having a desired effect.

David Moyes was eager to point out that limited time with the players before his Goodison Park bow against Aston Villa, didn't help the outcome of that match. Those extra few days leading into Sunday certainly did.

Both a tactical switch-up and change of personnel suggested he learned a great deal from the mid-week defeat.

We haven't seen much 'football' in recent months, but it was obvious that Moyes wants the players to get the ball down and play.

Our second goal against Spurs highlighted that in abundance.

Some 19 passes, patience and a growing confidence led to a fabulous Iliman Ndiaye goal.

So often our standout player in yet another bleak season, Ndiaye is certainly one player who has captured the imagination of all Evertonians.

A player who will look back at Moyes' previous Everton team and will know he can thrive in this version of his Everton side.

Another summer acquisition in Jesper Lindstrom put in a season best performance, playing in a hybrid wing-back/winger role, supported ably by the often overlooked Jake O'Brien.

The message from a manager is something that defines performances. Slight tweaks and offering players the opportunity to impress was the order of the day.

More emphasis on attacking football, while remaining resolute is music to all our ears.

A first three points is a small step, but a hugely welcomed one.

We were all able to sleep a little sounder on Sunday night.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Former Premier League Golden Boot winner Chris Sutton hopes Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal against Tottenham will give him confidence, because he thinks the Everton striker has many qualities.

Speaking about the 27-year-old on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "He's really lost his belief. He's been low on numbers and had injury problems - the past few seasons he's barely scored a goal.

"He just isn't playing with any clarity. When you're confident and you're flowing it's seamless, but he still seems to have that doubt.

"Hopefully that goal will do him the world of good for confidence. He has so many brilliant attributes."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

The confidence gained by Sunday's home win over Tottenham is key for Everton going forward under David Moyes, says winger Iliman Ndiaye.

The Toffees secured their first win of Moyes' second tenure in charge to open up a four point gap between them and the relegation zone and end a run of six Premier League games without a victory.

"It makes us feel good," Ndiaye told BBC Radio Merseyside. "It makes us go into the next game more confident.

"Tottenham is a big team and we wanted to perform. We needed to get the win we haven't got recently. We have confidence going into the next game so we go again."

Ndiaye has been Everton's standout performer this season - scoring six goals in all competitions - and operated in a more central role against Spurs.

"I'm playing a bit more inside than usual," the 24-year-old added. "It paid off, I got my goal from the middle. It was my signature move - one on one and trying to do what I do and get the goal.

"It's not a free role because I need to stay in position and not get in the way of other players but I enjoyed it."

The Toffees has only scored 15 goals before Sunday, but were 3-0 up at half-time after a blistering attacking performance in the opening 45 minutes.

"It felt really good," Ndiaye said on his side's fast start.

"It made us go even stronger and harder to get the next one and next one. We were trying to regain the ball up the pitch, set the tempo, and I think we did.

"Each win we need to celebrate. It's a big thing given where we are now. We need to repeat what we did in the first half."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans:

Mike: For 70 mins a breath of fresh air performance and show of commitment from Everton. Haven't seen that for a long time. Then the panic button once Spurs scored. Shouldn't have been that nervy but pleased for Moyes.

Chris: Phew. Good job we were three up. Where have that Everton been? Only in the last 15 minutes did it seem nerves got hold of them, as if they couldn't believe they were 3-0 up. Had visions of a capitulation again but well done. Great finish from DCL, more of the same please and a bit more confidence in the last quarter of a match. Thoroughly deserved win but kept supporters' nerves jangling.

Sudesh: Everton played their best football in ages, and it's all thanks to David Moyes. Same team, but the transformation under Moyes' management is remarkable. His tactics were fresh, dynamic, and nothing like the predictable play we saw under Dyche. The players were full of energy, pressing hard, exploiting space, and showing real flair. It was a joy to watch – proper football! If this is what Moyes can do already, I can't wait to see what's next. COYB!

Les: They should not be letting any team get back in the game full stop - 3-0 at half time, should be 5-0 at the end. Everton always sloppy in last 15mins. Glad for DCL but not with his cocky comments - "it's not my first rodeo". Fighting for relegation because you can't score, that's not the first rodeo the fans endure!

Tottenham fans:

Martin: This is getting embarrassing! Ange might have done well in a two horse league in Scotland and he might have world class ideas. What he's got to realise is he doesn't have 20 world class players. We are thin on the ground without a defence to cope with being left exposed by his tactics. Time for a change I think.

Doug: Pathetic first half. Got a bit more alive in the second half but too little too late, the damage was done. It's not just down to injuries as the main players aren't performing either with the exception of Dejan. It's now at the point where most fans have had enough of losing. I'm not one for changing managers but I'm not seeing any improvement in the team - if anything we are worse. Things need to change now or Ange needs to go.

Tony: Enough is enough. Another horror show. Outclassed, outfought and out run by Everton. The players have given up. The injury record means nothing.

Lindsay: We have some very talented young players who are being asked to do a job which isn't suited to them. The lack of Plan B is finally coming home to roost. Arrogance is OK until the ignorance prevents the acceptance of a problem which is in need of solving. I think Ange's race is run at Spurs. More importantly, has Daniel Levy got in place a risk contingency plan? We're in a total mess.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are the latest crisis club to seek a cure for their ills in the healing hands of 'Dr Tottenham' and their manager Ange Postecoglou - and come away feeling reinvigorated and revitalised.

David Moyes was the biggest beneficiary as Everton secured their first win since his return as manager with a 3-2 victory, but Spurs counterpart Postecoglou's position will come under even closer scrutiny after a seventh defeat in 10 Premier League games.

'Dr Tottenham' is the latest cruel jibe aimed in the direction of Spurs - the theory being if you are a team or manager in desperate need of a tonic, then look no further than the surgery in north London.

Among the satisfied patients this season have been Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town - both of whom secured sorely needed first league wins against Postecoglou's side.

Everton may have had a new (or old) manager in Moyes, but they took a list of ailments as long as your arm into Sunday's match after the 61-year-old Scot's first game ended in a home defeat by Aston Villa.

That made Spurs - admittedly in desperately reduced circumstances of their own because injuries - the ideal opponents.

Read more here

Leon Osman
MOTD2 pundit & former Everton midfielder

Image source, Getty Images

Some of the hallmarks of the best Everton teams I played in under David Moyes were aggression, energy, intensity and desire.

He would get us so fired up that we believed we could beat anyone, and I could see elements of all of that when I watched Everton beat Tottenham on Sunday.

It was a huge result for Moyes, the players and the fans - everyone at the club - for him to get his first win in his second game back, but the way they got it was even more important, especially for the manager.

The way they started the game was pretty much everything you could ask for from this Everton team. They were on the front foot and took the game to Tottenham, scored two goals from open play when they have been so hard to come by, and could have had even more if things had fallen their way.

Yes, it was a typically nervy finish when Spurs got a couple of late goals back, but the first half was probably the most exciting we have seen at Goodison Park all season, and you could absolutely see this team can do what Moyes asks of them.

Read more from Leon Osman's column here.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitaliy Mykolenko says early in his Everton career, the "pressure" of being in a relegation battle would sometimes stop him from sleeping, and that he still struggles with the club scrapping for survival.

Everton sit in 16th place in the Premier League, only two spots above the relegation zone and talking about it to BBC Radio Merseyside's reporter Giulia Bould, Mykolenko said: "It's very tough and mentally hard - when you play three years and every year you've got a relegation battle, it's not very easy for me.

"I struggle with it, but I'm coming on the pitch every time and trying to be a better player and to help us not be in a relegation battle."

The Ukrainian also said it's difficult for him to switch his focus away from the football, and was asked if he thinks about it when he's at home, stating: "Of course, I'm trying to change my mind but my wife said 1or 2 years ago when we were in the relegation zone for some games - I woke up every morning and was in one area and she said don't worry it's all OK.

"I'm worrying about it especially at the end of the season in the first season. I couldn't sleep some times because of this pressure - but it's OK."

The 25-year-old also spoke about Everton's fans, stating: "I understand them, if they are supporting us every game and we don't get the result. It's so annoying if we're losing or drawing.

"I understand them, but as a player I'm trying to do a better job to get points and win games, especially at Goodison."

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four 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 the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 0-2 Liverpool

• Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

• Everton 3-2 Tottenham

• Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

• Ipswich 0-6 Man City

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager David Moyes talking to BBC Match of the Day after today's game: "It feels fantastic. It has been a relatively difficult week with two games against difficult opponents. We didn't do too bad in midweek but we did a really good job today, especially in the first half. Once they got one it was a little bit scary I have to be honest.

"Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] had three big chances in midweek and was a little bit unlucky. If they get chances you are saying 'come on, it is your job to score it' so maybe confidence is coming back into his game. He played more like a traditional centre forward today and was a real handful for them. He probably could have scored another one today but that is a good start for him.

"Sometimes centre forwards just need goals and then can start to work on things they need to do better. He doesn't feel like he's been getting chances but the past couple of games he has been.

"Everybody has to chip in because goals have certainly been difficult to come by here.

"I thought we played well today. The three points will give us a lot of confidence. It was unlike us to concede goals but you can't take away from what Tottenham do."