Everton

Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The big games keep coming for Everton, and at the moment it is a case of "bring it on".

Saturday's win at Nottingham Forest was significant on many levels. It was an away win against a top-three side, but more than that, it was a deserved win and no smash and grab.

It will be fascinating to see how they fare on Saturday against a Manchester City side battling for a top-four place, but Everton will go into the game without any fear. David Moyes was able to make changes at the weekend and still had options on the bench like Beto, Alcaraz and McNeil who made big contributions.

That is a nice position to be in.

Safety is still on the brink of being mathematically certain, but there is no doubt - Everton are safe - yet there is no sign of holidays being booked. There is much to play for, to take into next season, and to keep this momentum intact.

The players still want to impress the manager and so the mindset remains focused. So expect Goodison to be rocking on Saturday!

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

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions in a special Q&A session on Tuesday.

G asked: Would you extend Abdoulaye Doucoure's contract? I'm firmly in the camp of "thanks for everything, but it is time to move on".

Phil answered: It sounds a bit like fence-sitting but I think you would need to know what alternatives are out there before deciding on that - and you would need to know what Doucoure would want, of course.

I would certainly think long and hard about it because he is 32 years old.

I would be tempted to give Idrissa Gueye a deal before Doucoure, even though he is 36 in September.

David Moyes might have some ideas of his own because, despite the upturn since he arrived, Everton's team still needs some serious strengthening.

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

After a winless run stretching six matches, we all wondered when our next three points would come, given the daunting run of fixtures in April.

Years of pessimism still course through Evertonian veins, so it is difficult to shift the "glass half empty" mantra.

This version of Everton is starting to feel different, though. This Everton side simply keeps on going and Abdoulaye Doucoure's stoppage-time winner at Nottingham Forest was beyond deserved.

Since David Moyes' return, we have scored six goals after the 75th minute and picked up seven points in the process. Faith in both the players and the manager is being restored.

I have waxed lyrical about the manager on a couple of occasions since he returned to the club, but what he has instilled in these players is simply outstanding.

The reaction he received at full-time on Saturday from our boisterous away following just emphasised the connection that never truly went away.

The smile on his face and the beating of his chest as his name rang round the jubilant Evertonians - it was fabulous to see and be a part of.

Moyes speaks about the club just how us supporters see the club. His post-match comments about looking to emulate what Forest have done this season should be music to all of our ears.

We simply will not be here to just take part. We will be here to compete.

After years of the "Great Depression", maybe Moyes and The Friedkin Group have found the remedy.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Everton and Liverpool are set to battle it out for 17-year-old Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg this summer. (The i), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether you think Everton should keep midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure beyond the end of this season, with his contract set to expire.

Further down this page are the views of some supporters who feel he should be allowed to leave, but we will start with those in favour of offering Doucoure a new deal:

Maddie: I have no idea why we haven't done this already. He's proven himself time and time again and he gets the club and fans.

Carl: He comes up with the goods at key moments and he's a handful to play against. There's as much to keep as there is to let go. And let's remember, he's delivering the goods at key moments against the best players in the world (allegedly). Keep him. Let's enjoy the passion and fire for a few more seasons to lift the new stadium.

Dazza: I'd love to see him signed for another two years, with the option for third year too. Always on the teamsheet and, more often than not, he's in the better performers of the team.

Steve: I would certainly offer Doucoure another 12-month deal. There are worse players in the current squad to offload before him. As he says, he loves the club and wants to stay and that is a real positive. He has a knack of scoring vital goals and is a perfect squad player. Get him signed up.

Karl: He's not a prolific goalscorer, sometimes he looks like Bambi on ice! But he scores vital goals - remember Bournemouth, his goal kept us up. Few seasons earlier he scored twice when we were 2-0 down and his last goal clinched us a 3-2 win and he kept us up!! Then in the last game on Saturday he did it again. Maybe we should discuss lowering his wages. Then use him more as a squad player.

Steve: He was instrumental in us staying up last season after the points deduction and he loves the club and plays for the badge. In every game he has scored this season, Everton have gone on to win. Sign him up again!

Andy: A popular player who has the knack of coming up with important goals at important times; age and wage count against another long contract, but in terms of continuity moving into BMD next season I think they'd be foolish to let him go just yet. If you consider the amount of cash freed up by letting most of the others go, and the better financial outlook, we can afford him. You might even argue that we owe him another year. Loved his cheeky celebration on Saturday and Ndiaye's reaction to it!

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether you think Everton should keep midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure beyond the end of this season, with his contract set to expire.

Here are the views of some supporters who feel his time at the club should come to an end in the summer:

Keith: Doucoure has been an integral part of our "struggling" seasons and thanks to some incredibly valuable goals from him, we staved off relegation on several occasions. However, as Everton seek to start a new chapter, I think it's time for him and quite a number of players who are out of contract to move on. So to all of those players: "Thank you for all you've done and good luck for the future."

Shaun: He's scored a few important goals but he gives the ball away far too often and doesn't really create anything, which for the position he plays is nowhere near good enough. Understand he's on stupid wages too so if he wants a new contract to be a back-up player once we have more quality then he needs to drop his wage demands by about three-quarters of his current contract, otherwise good luck to him wherever he goes next.

Kieran: Absolutely no chance, for the past three seasons he has been largely anonymous. He is the epitome of everything that has been wrong with the club over the past few years in that he has consistently underperformed and yet is reportedly our highest-paid player. We are hopefully moving away from the previous model of signing players of Doucoure's ilk who come and are far too comfortable. Everton need young, hungry players who are ready to give everything for the badge, which, in my opinion, Doucoure has not done. Thanks for your service Abdoulaye, but hopefully his Everton career is over.

Terry: As much as I appreciate everything he's done for the club and he gives 100% every game, I think it's best if he moves on, I think Ndiaye is perfect for that position or even Alcaraz if he stays, maybe keep him as strictly a squad player on reduced wages might work, it seems heartless because he's a really likeable fella. But if we are to improve we have got to make difficult decisions.

Nick: Doucs scored the most important goal in Everton's recent history to restore our Premier League status and that should not be forgotten. However, sentiment doesn't get you very far in the modern game and he is prone to more mistakes than other players. He has already secured his place in Goodison folklore and will always be welcome at the club but he's run his course. I'll always be grateful to him!

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton paid £9.1m in fees to agents for transfers made between 2 February 2024 and 3 February 2025 - the third lowest total of any Premier League club during that period.

Only Ipswich (£6.2m) and Southampton (£8.9m) spent lower in payments and transactions involving clubs and football agents registered with the Football Association.

The Toffees spent around £40m on the permanent signings of Iliman Ndiaye, Jake O'Brien and Tim Iroegbunam last summer, while they also brought in Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala and Armando Broja on loan, adding Carlos Alcaraz until the end of the season in January.

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Everton have been hamstrung by strict spending constraints and are the only Premier League side during that period with a positive net spend, of £80m.

David Moyes' side are currently 13th in the table and secured a late 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

After scoring the winning goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal celebration suggested that he has unfinished business at Everton.

The midfielder's post-match interview confirmed this, telling BBC Match of the Day: "It is maybe my last moments at the club and at the moment it is very quiet on the club side.

"I love this club. Since the moment I signed, always I want to stay. My contract is running out so let's see what happens in the next couple of weeks but I love this club."

What do you think, Everton fans? Would you like to see him stay at the club beyond the end of the season, or would you allow him to leave?

Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Everton's win at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Al: Slow in thought, play, process, everything. The worst Forest performance I've seen this season. No complaints about the result, Everton did a job on us and actually looked like they were hungrier than us.

Andy: Forest looked like a team of strangers. It must have been a record the amount of second balls we didn't even challenge for. Nuno needs to tell them that they're not on the beach yet. Poor.

Jacob: Forest looked like the long season has been catching up with them. Elanga, Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi were not at their best and an uncharacteristic mistake from Murillo for the goal. They're going to have to dig deep for the rest of the season to keep their coveted league position.

Everton fans

Paul: Great result and well deserved, Moyes really has put the belief back in the club. Watching that game, you'd think it was Everton who were third not Forest. We need to add more quality in the final third, if we do that we can really push on next season.

Dan: Thoroughly deserved and a really comfortable afternoon of football. Everton never let Forest get going, though I thought they were poor and fear for their Champions League participation after that performance. I will be interested to see what happens to Everton under Moyes next season.

Kobe: Amazing game from Everton. In the away end for my first ever game - amazing sound and atmosphere from us and we deserved to win. What an end! This is why we love this game and this club.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton defender James Tarkowski spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after Saturday's victory against Nottingham Forest: "For me, Forest have been the standout team this season, they have had some big wins here [at the City Ground], but I thought we dominated all game. I know they like to bank in and wait for a counter attack but we never allowed that to happen. We never really felt in danger.

"We're looking to progress and get better and we have done that in the last two or three months, but that has to continue. The manager is ambitious and knows where he wants to take this club.

"We have missed a few players in the last few months, but you look at the bench today and there is some great quality. The fact that Seamus [Coleman] is mental! The competition for places is so important and now we've got that."

Everton are the latest club to join the race to sign 22-year-old striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton

• Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

David Moyes spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Everton's victory against Nottingham Forest: "I have got to say it was a great goal but thoroughly deserved. It certainly merited a win and I though we played very well, when you come to a team sitting third in the Premier League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. I think if anyone was going to score, it was us."

"I have had a lot of games and sometimes football can go that way or you. I am getting a brilliant response from the supporters and the players but I am also calm enough to know it could change. Today we have put on a good show and I am proud of how the players are performing. We are trying to make small steps every week.

"If we keep this form up, it will be fantastic as we can give ourselves some form coming into the new stadium. We want to attract the best players to this club and I would love to have a season like Nottingham Forest are having this season, next season here."

On Abdoulaye Doucoure: "He has done great since I have come back. His work rate is very good for us and we are really enjoying him."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Saturday's victory against Nottingham Forest: "I think we can't have better than that, when you play a football game, to score a last-minute goal. It was a terrific moment for the team."

On his goal celebration, Doucore added: "I can't talk too much about that but it is maybe my last moments at the club and at the moment it is very quiet on the club side. I love this club.

"I love this club. Since the moment I signed, always I want to stay. My contract is running out so let's see what happens in the next couple of weeks but I love this club."

Image source, Getty Images

Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal (93:03) was Everton's latest winning goal away from home in the Premier League on record (since 2006-07).

Were you at the City Ground or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

Everton fans, what did you make of their display?

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

This is a tough one to call. Nottingham Forest are looking to get back to winning ways after losing to Aston Villa last week, but Everton are so awkward under David Moyes.

The Toffees have drawn six of their past eight games so that is the obvious call here, but I want to back Forest - if you cut me in half, I am red and white.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:30)

• Brighton v Leicester City

• Nottingham Forest v Everton

• Southampton v Aston Villa

• Arsenal v Brentford (17:30)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.