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Date confirmed for second test event at new stadiumpublished at 18:03 28 February
18:03 28 February
Image source, Getty Images
Everton have confirmed the date of the second test event at their new stadium.
Supporters will get another opportunity to see inside the club's new home on Bramley-Moore Dock on Sunday, 23 March.
A crowd of more than 10,000 watched an under-18s friendly earlier this month as the stadium opened to the public for the first time.
The second test event - a friendly involving Everton Under-21s - will have a 14:00 GMT kick-off, with a minimum of 25,000 supporters to be granted entry.
Everton owners 'delighted' by Moyes impactpublished at 14:57 28 February
14:57 28 February
Shamoon Hafez BBC Sport football news reporter
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Everton owners The Friedkin Group are "delighted" with the impact made by David Moyes since his return to the club as manager.
The experienced Scot replaced Sean Dyche in January and has overseen a run of seven unbeaten games, with just a solitary defeat coming in his first game against Aston Villa.
The Toffees have moved 15 points clear of the relegation zone and sources close to the ownership have told BBC Sport the atmosphere around the club has been "transformed".
Meanwhile, Everton's search for a new chief executive is nearing a conclusion with Leeds United's Angus Kinnear heavily linked with the role.
Reports on Friday suggested director of football Kevin Thelwell will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, but club sources have dismissed the claims as "speculation".
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup and their next Premier League game on 8 March at Wolves, the Everton squad are currently enjoying a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi.
Development and succession planning - the O'Brien turnaroundpublished at 08:10 28 February
08:10 28 February
Tom Gayle Match of the Day commentator at the Gtech Community Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
When Everton completed the signing of Jake O'Brien last summer the club described him as one of Europe's most talented young defenders. A fee of £16.4m was paid following a standout season at Lyon where the Irishman made 27 starts in the French top flight, as well as scoring in their cup final defeat to Paris St Germain.
Upon his arrival manager Sean Dyche made his feelings clear. He viewed the 23-year-old as a squad player saying: "Jake further strengthens our talented core of centre-backs and adds competition."
This opinion didn't appear to waver, with Dyche using him just twice as a substitute over the 20 Premier League matches he was in charge of this season.
The day after scoring his first goal for the club at Brentford, O'Brien has now featured in every single game since David Moyes' return, earning seven consecutive Premier League starts, and playing every single minute of their last six fixtures.
This isn't a dig at Dyche. It's understandable he deemed James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite as his first choice centre-half pairing. One can add in the fact O'Brien didn't make a senior appearance for Crystal Palace during a two-and a half year spell in South London before his move to Lyon.
Where Dyche and Moyes differ is the current manager has seen more than enough from O'Brien to know he can help the team, even if it means playing him out of position at right back.
How long the Republic of Ireland international's run in the side continues could be determined by Nathan Patterson's recovery from injury - a natural in the full-back position.
Speaking to me afterwards Moyes said Patterson "wasn't ready" despite being part of the squad who travelled to Brentford, and his place on the bench was in the case of an "emergency".
With a long-term view in mind, it might not be a formality a fully fit Patterson does replace O'Brien. Moyes has previously spoken of how "young centre-backs have to find their way out as full-backs."
Transfer noise surrounding Branthwaite is only likely to increase during the summer, with the latest gossip linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
O'Brien getting as much Premier League experience as he can between now and the end of the season seems logical, not only for his development, but also for when it comes to succession planning.
Richard: A typical David Moyes Everton performance. At times we were down but we were never out. Players out injured and Abdoulaye Doucoure not available for personal reasons but the players never gave up and got a very well deserved point. Moyes has given me my Everton back!
Greg: We stuck at it and could have won it if we had someone who could finish. Anyone who thinks Beto is the answer is badly mistaken. Top marks to James Garner who was pulling the strings all game. Great to have him back. Moyes is doing a fantastic job.
Dan: On another day we win that. Three great chances for Beto and he could have slid Carlos Alcaraz in late on. But on the other hand, we could have lost that and before the Moyesiah's return, we probably would have. Good fightback and effort from the lads.
Lou: Great performance from Everton. Yes Ashley Young went down easily but the referee gave it on the pitch. There was no clear and obvious error so why is VAR getting involved? It's wonderful to not be looking over our shoulders and praying that there are three teams below us. Finally seeing a bit of light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Finally able to watch EFC play with a little confidence.
Ian: Beto, Beto, Beto - he has to put at least one of those chances away. Well done to the team to keep on fighting. A tough fixture that we should have won but came away with a good point.
Johnny: There's been a difficulty awarding Everton penalties for a number of seasons. Probably dismissing my observation as biased and "all clubs feel that way etc" but anyway, let's not detract from this resurgence under Moyes and the fact Everton are back!
'Looking confident going into our games' - O'Brienpublished at 09:46 27 February
09:46 27 February
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Everton defender Jake O'Brien says the Toffees are "very confident" going into all their games, as they continued their recent unbeaten run in the league.
The Ireland international scored his first goal for the club in Wednesday's draw with Brentford, to help make it seven league games without defeat for David Moyes' side.
"It's a really good feeling - it was a tough game but we're happy we came away with something," he said.
"In the first half, we had chances but we deserved to come away with something and it's seven unbeaten now.
"[Against Manchester United] we deserved three points. This week has been difficult as well but we've come away with another point - as long as we're tallying up our points.
"We're seven unbeaten and there's a good positive vibe around the place. We're looking very confident going into all our games."
Everton now have a nine-day break before their next game, against Wolves and O'Brien thinks it has come at a good time for the squad: "It's been a tough couple of games over the past few weeks but it's the perfect time to settle down for a little bit and go again in the next game."
Brentford 1-1 Everton: David Moyes' side extend unbeaten runpublished at 23:12 26 February
23:12 26 February
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
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Everton's 'new manager bounce' under David Moyes continued on Wednesday as they fought back from behind to hold Brentford to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in seven league matches and have taken 15 points from a possible 24 since Moyes returned for his second spell in January - having only collected 17 from a possible 57 under former boss Sean Dyche.
Everton's upturn in form is particularly impressive considering the long list of injuries the Merseyside club have had to deal with this season.
Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja all remain sidelined with injuries while Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was on target against Manchester United on Saturday and also at Brentford last season, was unavailable with his wife due to give birth.
But the Toffees did not let the absences affect them at Brentford and could have come away with all three points, had Beto capitalised on one of the three one-on-ones against Bees keeper Mark Flekken.
They are now 15 points clear of the drop zone and will hope to pull further away from it when they face 17th-placed Wolves next.
'I want to be a manager who competes for Europe'published at 23:03 26 February
23:03 26 February
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Everton manager David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports: "I am happy with that because I have never had a good record here. Thomas Frank is a good manager. I thought we were at least worthy of a point today. Beto had three one-one ones with the goalkeeper and we did not score any of them
"I was really disappointed with the players at half-time because we concede from a set-piece that way. We try to prepare for it but did not deal with it very well.
"The game was really slow in the first half. I thought it suited us. We had the best chances with Beto through on goal. In the second half, we saw a lot more of the ball and we were the bigger threat in the second."
On upturn in the club's form: "I don't really want to be someone who comes in to save the club from relegation. I want to be a manager who competes for Europe like I have been in three years prior to this.
"But, let's be honest. Everton were in a terrible position. We are looking up rather than down. We have been disappointed with getting a draw tonight and should have picked up more on Saturday."
'This is the first time I'm excited to play in every game'published at 15:04 26 February
15:04 26 February
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Everton forward Beto says he is keen to capitalise on an opportunity that "he has never had" since joining the club.
The striker, who has scored five goals in his past four Premier League matches will be looking to continue his hot streak when the Toffees travel to London to face Brentford on Wednesday.
"This is the first time [since joining the club] I'm feeling like this, this excited to play every game," Beto told club media.
"I just want to play this next game to see how it's going to be. I don't want to have one week off without a game. I just want to keep playing, because before I wasn't playing. Now that I'm playing and I feel that I'm getting better and better, I want to test myself.
"The team is helping me a lot. They're trying to find me. I can see they trust me. They trust in my strength and I just want to pay back the trust they put on me."
When asked if this is the best he has felt in his playing career, Beto added: "Almost. I've felt this type of way in Udinese, in Italy, and I'm starting to feel it now in Everton and I'm happy for the team."
'Everton looking up, not down... but right to think they're not safe yet'published at 11:56 26 February
11:56 26 February
Ian Kennedy BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Wednesday's game at Brentford looks tough on paper, but this is a confident Everton side that can look back on recent away wins over Brighton and Crystal Palace.
The Blues can go into the game with a real belief they can come away with something positive, especially with Brentford without a home win in the league since December. The Bees have, however, looked good away from home, highlighted by Friday's 4-0 victory at Leicester.
So it is a good game in prospect and Everton will have to be very wary of Brentford's attacking threat.
That said, the home side will know the Toffees have a rejuvenated striker in Beto, and are creating far more chances.
Everton are now looking up, not down, and although they will have been disappointed to draw with Manchester United on Saturday having been 2-0 up, it is still another point towards mid-table security.
David Moyes says there is still work to do to ensure survival - and that is no bad thing.
No let up, keep it going, not safe yet. It is the right attitude to have and it is working brilliantly at the moment.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Evertonpublished at 10:49 26 February
10:49 26 February
This is going to be close. Brentford have had back-to-back wins over West Ham and Leicester, while Everton's improvement under David Moyes has been dramatic.
Moyes has done an incredible job but the Blues have not suddenly become world-beaters. I do think they will lose some games, and this is one of them.
Brentford v Everton: Did you know?published at 08:56 26 February
08:56 26 February
Image source, Getty Images
Having won their first two Premier League games against Everton in the 2021-22 campaign, Brentford are now winless in their past five against the Toffees.
Everton boss David Moyes has won one and lost five of his six Premier League meetings with Brentford, all with West Ham from 2021 to 2024. His 0.5 points-per-game against the Bees is his lowest average against any side in his managerial career in the competition.
'Upturn in results not just down to me'published at 19:28 25 February
19:28 25 February
Everton boss David Moyes says multiple things happening at the club are contributing to the recent improvement in form.
Speaking in Tuesday's news conference, Moyes said: "You see managers come in and see a bit of 'new manager bounce'. I'm hoping that is not the case because I've been here a long time before.
"It's OK to say [it's because] I've come in, but I think the whole club and the players have had a lift from new ownership and the thought of a new stadium."
Moyes on VAR, 'work to do' to ensure survival and Brentfordpublished at 15:07 25 February
15:07 25 February
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Brentford (19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Moyes said Jesper Lindstrom, Tim Iroegbunam and "a few of the boys" have been suffering with a fever and flu-like symptoms but they have all recovered.
Nathan Patterson is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury but Wednesday's game "will be too quick" for his return.
Moyes said Everton "have spoken" to PGMOL after the controversial decision to deny them a late penalty in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United: "I still feel exactly the same as I did at the time in the game. I watched it again in the changing room and was really surprised he went to VAR. Obviously we've been in touch to check it out and spoke with PGMOL. It's gone, it's past now. We can't do anything about it. It was disappointing we didn't get it but we move on."
He believes there is "still work to do" to ensure survival: "We used to talk about 40 points. I think because I'm an old one, I'm going to keep talking about 40 points. I think 40 sounds like the total you had to get. We have to make sure we get to 40."
More on the future: "All the players will want their futures sorted out and I understand. I've said that until we're completely safe we're not going to look into anyone's contract. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. This club has just got its future sorted. I want to be positive and say we're going to be in the Premier League but there's still work to do to do that."
On whether Everton should aspire to be run like Brentford: "I'm going to say no to that answer. I think they're a great-run club. I think what they have done over the years is remarkable. But I think Everton have got bigger aspirations than Brentford."
'VAR feels like an orchestrated soap opera'published at 12:25 25 February
12:25 25 February
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.
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.
Image source, Getty Images
