Everton

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League season has passed the halfway stage but Everton are in trouble again with only three victories.

Manager Sean Dyche has kept the club in the top flight for the past two seasons - but with the side's recent abject showings, his contract expiring at the end of the season and The Friedkin Group takeover ushering in a new era, questions are being raised about his future.

The new owners completed their deal in December and will be assessing all facets of the club. But the most pressing concern will be the position of boss Dyche and they now have a decision to make - do they attempt to see out the season with him in charge, hoping they stay up, or roll the dice and make a change?

Dyche has highlighted that goalscoring has been an issue at the club for "four or five years" - a "long time" before his arrival in January 2023.

That trend has continued this season with Everton scoring a sorry 15 goals in their 19 league games. Only bottom side Southampton - currently on course for the Premier League's lowest points tally - have netted fewer with 12.

Speculation is rife and there are some reports, external, external - not verified by BBC Sport - suggesting Everton are in talks with the out-of-work Graham Potter.

On Tuesday, Dyche said the owners "certainly have not told me that" and both Everton and Potter have been approached to provide a comment by BBC Sport.

With Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) ringing loudly in the ears of Everton after their points deductions last season, Dyche said there are "parameters" in signing players this month and generally doing transfer business in January is "very tough".

Read more on Dyche's Everton future here

Everton have opened talks with Aston Villa over a permanent deal for 22-year-old English winger Jaden Philogene. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Thursday's FA Cup third-round tie against League One side Peterborough at Goodison Park (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dyche confirmed Youssef Chermiti will be out "a while longer than we had hoped" and it "will be weeks" rather than days. Meanwhile, Armando Broja "has a chance" to face Posh, but Dwight McNeil remains sidelined.

• He also confirmed that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin "reported an ankle problem today" and they will need to assess that.

• On reports his position is under pressure with the new ownership: "It should be [under scrutiny]. At the end of the day, if you are a business or a club of this size then succession planning should surely be part of your due diligence. I've got no problem with that. It should be ongoing at every football club. It happens in normal business life, so I never really concern myself with that."

• He added that communication with the owners has been "positive" with "no indication" they are looking to bring someone else in and they have "been very up front with me and open" about what their expectations are.

• Asked about the human element to the situation: "The club is always bigger than me. I have said that since I got here. I just see myself as a custodian. So far, I've handled it pretty well, I think. Now, can I go win some games? Can I take it to another level? Can I change the narrative? Can I reinvent what we are trying to do?"

• On importance of this FA Cup game for him personally: "Every game is important. I have said that all along. It is so apparent when you get to this football club that every game is massive. It is hero or zero. Win some and you are a hero at that moment - you know what you are doing. Lose and you don't. It is really simple here. I have never taken any game lightly."

• On what it is like managing in the situation Everton have been in: "You just adapt to realities of each club. I considered the state the club was in before I joined and then when I got here it was considerably different. Not in a positive way. There were a lot more challenges that became more apparent that were unbeknown to me when I got here. I have been managing virtually everything on and off the pitch to the best of my ability."

• Dyche confirmed that, despite reports forward Beto was no longer coming to the training ground, he "was still here today training as usual".

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Everton v Peterborough at 19:45 on Thursday

Leon Osman thinks there is a lack of quality in the Everton squad, but his former side should still be creating chances and scoring more goals.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Osman, who made over 400 appearances for The Toffees, said: "We don't seem to have money to spend, we've got a team that can't score goals and I think we hold the record for games we haven't scored in.

"It's not easy to commentate on Everton games at the moment - because not much happens.

"Sean Dyche sets them up pretty well but predictably, Jordan Pickford, [Jarrad] Branthwaite and [James] Tarkowski, one of them three will win man of the match, one of them will make an outstanding block or save and you're relying on the other to score from a set-piece.

"It's down to them three every single game to try and do something.

"I do think is a lack of quality in the squad but anybody would tell you, you should still be creating chances and scoring goals - it's tough to watch at the moment."

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

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Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman says manager Sean Dyche's approach is "for the good of the team", regardless of criticism over a cautious style of play.

Dyche has set-up one of the most defensively stubborn teams in the Premier League which has allowed the Toffees to pick up points and stay above the drop zone.

"It is not an easy job being a Premier League manager and managing Everton over the last six or seven seasons has not been easy," said Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"You have to give him full credit for the last two years but I didn't expect us to be wrestling with relegation again this season.

"Trying to keep clean sheets has come at the detriment of scoring goals. If Everton had a top quality striker who converted every chance then they would be fine because they are still creating chances.

"Dominic Calvert-Lewin is making the runs and leading the line but it has been highlighted through Dwight McNeil's injury absence that he is their one creative player."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton thinks Sean Dyche has more hope than belief that his Everton side will score in games.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "He's thinking about the best way to keep Everton in the Premier League, they're not going to become gung-ho and free-flowing.

"He knows they are a team in forward areas that are just shot to pieces - when you're a striker and you hesitate, which is what the Everton strikers look like and they're on the back foot.

"Broja is trying to get up to speed but there's an expectation that he has to score goals quickly - it's been the story of Everton's season.

"It's not going to be easy to change and get out of. Dyche is going into games hoping the team score rather than actually knowing they will score - there's a massive difference with that."

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

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

After ushering in a merry Christmas, it promises not to be a happy new year for The Friedkin Group, as Sean Dyche's managerial future at the club hangs by a thread.

Saturday's all-too-predictable showing at Bournemouth was another sad indictment of how the joy has been surgically removed from Everton's tactical setup.

No shots on target. No attacking intent. That seems to be the M.O. currently.

As fans, we are more sympathetic when grinding out draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Sadly, hoping for the same against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth just does not cut it.

We have failed to score in eight out of our past 10 matches. We have not scored in 11 out of 19 Premier League matches this season. An approach that simply is not sustainable.

It has seen us win only three games and ushered in what appears to be another relegation battle again.

The football is beyond stale and about as appealing as the manager's post-match comments.

The goodwill earned from his first 18 months in charge is not a valid reason to keep Sean Dyche in his post. We are thankful, but there has been a clear regression this season, with, in my opinion, a more balanced squad.

Referencing issues when he first arrived at the club simply do not hold any weight when attempting to justify such a non-competitive approach.

Bournemouth fans taunted us with, "How do you watch this every week?"

We have become somewhat of a laughing stock. A manager out of ideas and a fanbase on its knees once again.

We should be looking forward. Instead we are looking every way but.

Over to you Dan Friedkin. It is twist or bust.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

Barry asked: But for a last-minute Fulham equaliser, Everton fans would be looking at tonight's Wolves game wondering if we'd end the day sitting back in the relegation places. Another game without scoring, another 90 minutes without a shot on target.

I know you've suggested before that you think Sean Dyche is the best person to see the club survive in the Premier League this season but given the woeful performances this season - and the fact both Wolves and Ipswich seem to have some momentum - do you think the new owners can risk waiting until the summer before making a change?

Phil answered: I stand by my original assertion that the ideal scenario for Everton's new owners would be for Sean Dyche to keep them safe until the end of his contract this season, then I feel sure they will make a change and bring their own manager in.

It is the "keep them safe" bit which is becoming the rogue element in this equation as Ipswich Town and Wolves are showing real signs of picking up while Everton are dismal and have been almost unwatchable in games this season.

Three wins from 19 games is awful, while their lack of threat and goals is a serious concern, not just for supporters but surely for Dyche.

Everton simply must stay up this season with that new stadium on the horizon, Relegation is unthinkable for the new owners, so if they drop into the bottom three - or simply just continue to be as bad as they have been - then The Friedkin Group will have a very big decision to make.

As I said, relegation is unthinkable... although it will become very thinkable if Everton continue to perform as they are.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Lee: A dogged performance from us against an Everton team that never really looked like they wanted to win the game. Milos Kerkez was fantastic again and a sublime finish from David Brooks got us the three points, but we were by far the better team and fully deserved them. Onwards and upwards for the Cherries!

Gary: It was hard to break down a one-dimensional Everton side but when the goal came, it was a thing of beauty. Well worth the three points alone. Everyone played their part but I felt Philip Billing was off the pace when he came on.

Tom: Thank you Cherries! A good and hard fought match. The substitute did it! Magic!

Chris: We are living the dream after years of wallowing and trips to Port Vale and Grimsby. Now we are firmly in the top tier. It warms the cockles.

Everton fans

John: As a lifelong Everton fan, I have never seen a more poorly coached team. Zero shots on goal is pathetic and shows a complete lack of team organisation. If we go a goal down, it is game over. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has lost all his confidence and the rest of the squad do not seem far behind him.

Dave: The Blues look completely inept and I have no idea where or how they are going to score a goal. Maybe it's a confidence thing but several of the shots were terrible and even the basics were wrong. They must, must try harder.

Tim: I'll keep it short and not so sweet. How has Dyche kept his job so far with such an abysmal offensive record? No shots on target, no goals, no positive attacking, no hope of avoiding relegation under him because of such a poor squad he has built and under-coached.

Robert: I'm questioning how we are doing so badly, bearing in mind the amount of money that has been spent over these recent years, along with having our own homegrown players to select from? It's now worth asking why we are building a new stadium, when we are either drawing or losing, which is upsetting all the supporters who pay so much money to back the club.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

• Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

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Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to Match Of The Day after the narrow defeat: "A really tight game. First half, we were not at the races and I made some changes. I thought we had a stronger performance second half and we asked some questions.

"Taking our chances has been a challenge since I have been at the club. It still is and was today in those key areas, where people are trying to pass it rather than shoot.

"You look at the goalscoring records before I was here, it has been an ongoing challenge. I don't know whether you have noticed, but the players that are able to do that cost a lot of money.

"You have to develop a way of playing but, equally, it comes down to individuals when the moment of truth comes."

On Armando Broja's injury: "We will have to wait and see on Armando. He has caught the floor as he has gone to shoot and twisted himself.

"Jesper Lindstrom picked up a knock as well."

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It was a pointed comment from Sean Dyche as he mulled over Everton's lack of goalscoring threat in the wake of their defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

"You look at goalscoring records before I was here," Dyche said. "It's been an ongoing challenge."

Hard to argue with that assessment, but have Everton's forwards gone backwards?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has two goals in 17 appearances. Beto has managed one in 12. Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil are joint top scorers with three apiece.

The Toffees have failed to score in a league-high 11 different Premier League matches this season.

Shocking numbers, if the truth be told. Dyche must be culpable to some degree.

How the Everton boss would dearly love the club's new owners to dig deep into their pockets and sign a striker before the transfer window closes.

If they do not the Blues are going to find it an almighty slog from now until the end of the season, attempting to eke out results.

A backs-to-the-wall style, based on defensive organisation, can only take you so far.

It's certainly going to struggle to enthuse an Everton fanbase seemingly growing weary of the manager's style.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton failed to register a single shot on target for the second time in a Premier League match this season, also doing so in their 0-0 draw at Arsenal last month.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has been speaking to Premier League Productions after the defeat: "A very difficult performance. The first half was not good enough from us, and we know that. We tried in the second half to correct that and fight more for the first and second balls.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't score and then they scored in the worst moment game because I think it was more like a draw.

"Obviously in the Premier League, you have to compete and it is very hard to take that small moments can make the difference. We are going to learn and fight. Hopefully we can bounce back."

On their lack of goals this season: "Goals give you wins and, at the moment, we can't find a way to score goals. That's a fact. We cannot hide from that.

"We have to work and need to find a way to score goals. We need to score to win games and at the moment it's difficult."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Bournemouth fans - let us know your thoughts

Everton fans - what did you make of the game?

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

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Newcastle (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Leicester

• Bournemouth v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v West Ham

• Southampton v Brentford

• Brighton v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 20, he takes on The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe, who supports Liverpool.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Everton have only managed 15 Premier League goals this season. Southampton are the only team to have scored fewer, and finding the net is clearly an issue for Sean Dyche's side.

Everton capitulated against Bournemouth at Goodison Park in August, losing 3-2 after leading 2-0 with three minutes to go, but it is hard to make a case for them this time because of their lack of firepower.

Bournemouth denied me some prediction points with their late equaliser against Fulham on Sunday and there is a reason they are in seventh place - they create a lot of chances, and I am expecting them to edge this.

McCabe's prediction: 3-1

Bournemouth will win this comfortably.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the season, the Opta Supercomputer has been busy making its predictions.

But who is looking most likely to be playing their football outside the top flight next season?

It is bad news for fans of the teams who made their return to the Premier League this campaign.

According to the Opta Supercomputer's simulations, Southampton - rooted to the bottom of the table on just six points - are all but guaranteed to be playing Championship football again next term with a 99.47% chance of being relegated.

The picture is also not a rosy one for Leicester City and Ipswich Town supporters, who occupy the other two relegation spots. The Supercomputer does not see too much change there - the Foxes and the Tractor Boys having a 74.61% and 70.81% chance of relegation respectively.

It is better news for Wolves under new head coach Vitor Pereira, with Wanderers now having only a 39.21% chance of a Championship return, while Everton fans will be pleased to see they have just a 12.52% chance as they hope to see Premier League football in their new stadium next season.

Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brentford can all breathe easier with Opta predicting just a 1.68%, 0.81% and 0.72% chance of relegation respectively.

And what about Manchester United after new boss Ruben Amorim declared them to be facing a relegation battle? Well, it is good news for Red Devils fans as the chance of them actually playing Championship football next campaign is just 0.11%.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have never won a Premier League away match against Bournemouth (D2 L5), with their seven visits the most they've faced a side on the road without ever winning in the competition.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their past seven Premier League games (W4 D3) – they've never had a longer run without defeat in the top flight.

Everton and Ipswich Town are eyeing a loan move for Aston Villa's English winger Jaden Philogene, 22. (Athletic - subscription required) , external

However, the Blues will not entertain offers for 23-year-old Republic of Ireland defender Jake O'Brien in January. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column