Everton

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have announced three trial matches at Everton Stadium before it officially opens next season.

The first test event will be an Everton Under-18s friendly fixture on 17 February in front of 10,000 fans.

This will be followed up by an Everton Under-21s match in front of 25,000 fans in late March or early April - with the date to be confirmed after the first match in February.

A third match, likely at close to or full capacity, will be held later in the season, with more details to be announced.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dyche confirmed Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Seamus Coleman are all "not ready" yet for a return to the first team, while it is proving "trickier than we thought" to get Dwight McNeil back to full fitness.

• On comments made this week on social media by Everton forward Neal Maupay, who is currently on loan at Marseille: "I think it's fair to say there is a bigger picture at the football club that I'm focusing on. I'm not too worried about his comments."

• The Toffees boss said it is "not all about the provider but that moment of truth" when asked about where chances will come from for the team: "Getting there is one thing, then providing the quality of product, and then the final bit is the finish. There are teams at the moment who are getting more goals with less quality chances, so it is not just about the creation - it is the final moment of truth and putting it in the net."

• More on the team's goalscoring issues: "People ask questions and talk about it as if it is easy, but if it was easy, then everyone would do it. Everyone loves to score goals, everyone loves a team who can score goals [but] it's not that easy. How many different ways can you combine a team to make it work? And keep the other end shut? It is about finding balance."

• Dyche dismissed rumours about Atalanta interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and confirmed there has been "no contact from anyone" so "no discussions are needed" on whether they can let him leave.

• On if the club are able to do business in the January transfer window: "There are parameters. The owners have made that clear. Forgetting about the numbers, I've been doing this a long time and notoriously January is a very tough month. I am not saying no but it is very tough."

• On if he feels he is being able to get the most out of his squad: "I'm certainly trying. There are no guarantees but I think there has been development from a lot of players. My job here has been endless but nobody really cares - they are just bothered about 'go and win a game mate'."

• Dyche added: "The only development fans and media and everyone cares about, including myself to some degree, is winning win games. Don't think I don't want that, that's my number one but while I'm doing that here, it hasn't just been concentrated on that. Some managers get the luxury of [their job] to just concentrate on the team and that's because everything else is in place. It clearly hasn't been here and it's still not. There is miles to go."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

We asked you to tell us what Everton's New Year's resolution should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Colin: For the new owners to bring in a whole new coaching team. The results are not good enough and the style of play is terrible. Sean Dyche and his team are clearly not up to the job of making Everton a progressive, attractive team with a winning mentality. Kevin Thelwell would also need to go.

John: Sack the manager.

Mike: A new manager, followed by a left-back, pacy right-winger and maybe a creative midfielder. I would love James McAtee from Manchester City, as he could be our Cole Palmer. But, if we keep Dyche, none of that will happen or matter.

Chris: Until the Forest game, we had been doing reasonably well. The team need to resolve to be more clinical in front of goal and the new board needs to support Dyche with a budget striker and let Calvert-Lewin leave.

Richard: Sell Beto and Calvert-Lewin, send Broja back to Chelsea and Harrison back to Leeds. Replace them with two forwards and two wingers from anywhere, quite frankly!

Tim: It's simple. We need to find a striker who scores goals and give them good service and support. There is a wonderful new dawn for the club, with a new stadium and new owners. Let's not spoil it with misfiring strikers and boring football.

Chris: What I would like to see in the New Year is a lot more positive and productive football, as opposed to the turgid negative stuff we have seen so far. Being hard to beat is good, but how on earth can our forwards score goals when they aren't given any service or support?

Calum: Score a goal. Any goal.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has been another entertaining year in the Premier League, so with 2025 just a matter of hours away let's take a look at the clubs that have topped the charts.

Manchester City became history makers in 2024 as they sealed their fourth successive Premier League title in May and their sixth in seven seasons.

Pep Guardiola's possession based football continued to dominate as they maintained the ball for an average of 64.5% per game and had a 90.6% passing accuracy over the year.

Brighton were the closest to matching their accuracy at 87.5% and Ange Postecoglou's similar high-risk football saw Tottenham retain 61.3% possession.

Under Jurgen Klopp and new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool scored 92 goals in 2024 which is three more than Arsenal and nine greater than City.

The Reds registered 741 shots in total, which is a stark contrast to Leicester City who recorded the least with 170. Albeit that is only since their promotion back to the top-flight in the summer.

Of those shots, 286 of Liverpool's were on target. But it is Thomas Frank's Brentford that have proven to be the most clinical.

The Bees had a conversion rare of 15.3% after scoring 62 goals in the Premier League. Yoane Wissa found the back of the net 17 times, while Bryan Mbuemo registered 12 goals.

From goal scoring to conceding - West Ham turned over the most goals with 79.

They should look to North London for tips on how to tighten up their defence as Arsenal proved to be the most solid across all aspects of their back line.

The Gunners conceded just 25 goals across the course of the year and kept an impressive 18 clean sheets.

Sean Dyche's Everton, renowned for being stubborn to break down, kept 14 clean sheets despite only winning eight of their 36 games.

All stats are supplied by Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have recorded the fewest shots on targets and goals scored in the Premier League during 2024, registering just 132 shots on target and only scoring 31 goals.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, after suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest in their final fixture of the year, defender James Tarkowski conceded they could have been better at putting away chances.

"It's a shame because you build up so well to get in those positions and you don't manage to get some quality into the box," he said.

"Then, when we did get quality into the box, we just didn't have that finish. So we need to improve, not just the forwards but as a team. Everyone that is out there needs to do better in the final third."

Listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds

Former Toffees defender Ashley Williams has also been discussing their lack of goalscoring on Match of the Day: "They get themselves into so many good crossing positions. They want to put the ball in the box, but they wasted so many crosses [against Nottingham Forest].

"They are just being wasteful. They put two good balls into the box and nearly scored from both of them, so they just need to be better in the final third.

"The numbers are shocking for Sean Dyche."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy added: "You cannot rely on clean sheets every week in the Premier League.

"They have got [Armando] Broja fit now - he started in this game but he will need a bit of time to find his feet. Hopefully he will give them a few more goals and a bit more physical presence up there with [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin.

"That might help them a bit, but they have got to be better in the final third."

Catch up on Match of the Day here

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Everton's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Nottingham Forest, which finished 2-0 to Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

David: Once again Everton fail to produce at home. After a fighting performance at Manchester City, they are truly embarrassing at Goodison Park. Another home defeat, another inept performance by all in royal blue.

Mark: Once again, we had no quality in the final third of the pitch. Even with two centre-forwards on for the final 30 minutes, there was only one cross of note. Both full-backs wasted good positions with hit and hope passes. But, we will just survive the drop.

Gerard: Another insipid display from a team that lacks any ounce of creativity. I've never seen an Everton team so devoid of ideas in the final third and I've seen some shockers over the years. The club needs a reset and the owners will need to take action if they want to ensure we start next season in the Premier League. Fair play to Nottingham Forest - they deserved it.

Mark: Time is running out forSean Dyche. All he knows is uninspiring, turgid football.

Forest fans

Daren: I'm so very proud of Nuno Espirito and the team. Along with our brilliant fans, we're all on the same page. I've been a Nottingham Forest fan since 1976 and I've not seen this kind of togetherness since Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. With our owner, manager, players and fans, we can dare to dream again.

Ken: Beat Wolves next week and then complete the double over Liverpool and the title race is well and truly on. Each week that goes by, the laughing emojis continue - let them. I still maintain we can win this league - especially when the business end of the Champions League kicks in...

Matthew: I'm just happy we are now safe from relegation. From here, anything else is a bonus.

Phillip: All credit to Nuno. Steve Cooper will always be a fan favourite, so he has done an absolutely amazing job to earn the love of the fans so quickly. And let's not forget Evangelos Marinakis. All three are on the way to being Forest legends.

Adam Cottier
Final Score reporter at Goodison Park

Image source, Getty Images

The word 'toothless' would have been used a lot to describe Everton performances in recent years and that is unfortunately what became of them again on Sunday.

There was a first start for Armando Broja, but circumstances have limited his game time and he has not scored a league goal in more than 14 months. It showed. He will need time if he is to fully displace Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Will Sean Dyche try playing them together in an effort to try and get Everton clear of danger? Iliman Ndiaye was their most productive player against Nottingham Forest but his side head into 2025 with some trepidation.

They are not scoring enough; they do not win enough.

If it was not for Jordan Pickford they may well have been in a lot more of a precarious position. New ownership must mean better recruitment moving forward.

Kelly Somers introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's six 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:

• Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest

• West Ham United 0-5 Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Sean Dyche, speaking to BBC MOTD: "They have done that to other teams this season. We didn't deliver it anywhere near in the first half and they did.

"It is hard to break down a packed defence when they get their noses in front. I don't think they had too many chances.

"A packed defence is hard to break down. We didn't ask enough questions overall against a team that is good at seeing a game out."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

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

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

• Leicester v Man City (14:30)

• Crystal Palace v Southampton

• Everton v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Bournemouth

• Tottenham v Wolves

• West Ham v Liverpool (17:15) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All 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.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest keep on winning but, although Everton are on a run of three draws, they got them against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, in games where everyone expected them to be beaten - including me.

Everton have earned those results by being resilient but I thought Iliman Ndiaye's equaliser against City was a superb strike. It was a goal of sheer beauty, the way he took it, and it feels like they always pose a threat.

Forest have been defending well too - they had less than 30% possession in their 1-0 victory over Tottenham but still found a way to win.

Their centre-back pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo has been the best in the Premier League this season, and their right-back Ola Aina is in phenomenal form as well.

Anthony Elanga, who got their winner against Spurs, is on a decent scoring run too, and it is going to be hard for Everton to stop them.

I think Sean Dyche's side will surprise a few people again here, though, and I am going for them to get another draw.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 0-2

Jack Harrison did not endear himself to Leeds fans with the way he left us for Everton so the child in me wants to see an own goal from him or something like that, and a Forest win.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton boss Sean Dyche is uncertain if Dwight McNeil will be available for Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest.

The 25 year-old has been absent from Everton's past three matches, which have all ended in draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. The English midfielder has three goals and three assists for the Blues so far this season.

"It is still a bit of a touch and go scenario with these games coming thick and fast so it is a maybe at the moment whether Dwight makes it," Dyche said. "We will have to wait and see."

Elsewhere in the squad, Dyche said he is also yet to make a decision on the fitness of captain Seamus Coleman and Iliman Ndiaye, who scored against Manchester City on Boxing Day.

"We have just got to make sure on Illi [Ndiaye]," Dyche said. "I took him off in the last game just for a minor tightness in his calf - we will wait to see how that settles - and Shay [Coleman] for a similar precaution, so hopefully that has settled as well."

The Toffees could make it five matches unbeaten when Forest visit Goodison Park and Dyche is eager to turn their run of draws into three points.

"I think we are in a better place than earlier in the season." he said. "I think the mentality is strong. We have had to build it and sometimes that is the best way. When you build it as a collective, it locks it in more.

"Now I have got to use that wisely to make sure we are not only able to draw games but to win games. That is the next challenge, of course."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Tony: A bit of an improvement but defensively culpable for Everton's goal - Illiman Ndiaye was given so much time before he scored. He was standing in the same position for two to three minutes before he scored and nobody was picking him up. I hope we can improve at Leicester but, honestly, a draw would have been nice and a win exceptional at this moment in time!

John: The slow, methodical build-up play does not work anymore. Having the bulk of possession is pointless if you can't make it count. Playing the ball square or back allows the opposition to regroup defensively. Be more direct and have a go. Pushing the ball out to the wings isn't working either when you have nobody able to convert in the box. City have a lot to thank Erling Haaland for in recent years but he has been shocking this season. He wanders about the pitch aimlessly, hardly touches the ball, gives up too easily and his workrate is poor.

Peter: Another inept performance. Too slow in the build-up and lacking defensive stability. Rico Lewis was again at fault for the visitors goal, but Pep Guardiola still keeps selecting him. He needs to go out on loan to develop. The future looks bleak. Why is Kevin de Bruyne not playing from the start?

Sam: I'm happy with the way we played and I'm confident we'll do well or better in subsequent matches. With the way Everton played, any team would have struggled to score - they had all their players in defence! We were just unlucky, but overall we played well. Also, we cannot expect City to win the league every season.

Everton fans

Anthony: If Everton can get a 10-league-goals-a-season forward in January, they're safer than one of those boxes in a bank. They're trending upwards - a testament to courage and application. Well done.

Chris: We had our chances. I just wish Sean Dyche would use some imagination. Jordan Pickford to the rescue again. That's 17 points from 17 games - and if that ends up being 38 points from 38 games we should be playing Premier League football in our new stadium. Overall, a satisfactory performance.

Steve: In footballing terms - happy with a point away from home against City and very happy with the festive results... but we are so poor in the final third of the pitch. We just don't know what to do. Clearly all the coaching and all the tactics are based on robust defending and being set up not to lose.

Richard: We look capable of competing again and Ndiaye looked as good as anyone out there. Three great draws against quality teams so Dyche deserves a lot of credit. And us Toffees need to stop moaning!

Highlights and analysis from Boxing Day's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Everton had kept three straight clean sheets coming into the Manchester City game and although their backline was breached, they have now managed credible consecutive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and here against City.

Whether their glass is half-full or half-empty at present depends on perspective.

Boss Sean Dyche will point to his side being difficult to beat, having lost only two of their past 13 top-flight matches - but on the other hand, they have won only three of their 17 games so far this season.

This draw leaves them in 15th place, edging five points clear of the relegation zone, and it came through Ndiaye's exquisite effort, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the travelling supporters.

They could have snatched it late on when Orel Mangala's deflected strike wrong-footed Stefan Ortega but the ball drifted the wrong side of the post, leaving Everton the happier side with the result but without a victory against City in their past 16 meetings.