Everton

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We asked for your views on what the priorities should be for The Friedkin Group now they have completed their takeover of Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Gerard: Back the manager until the end of the season. There are still a few tough games around the corner, and it would be easy to make a knee-jerk reaction. Everton are good enough as they are - one or two bits of astute business across the midfield and back four would be welcome, more for injury cover and competition than anything else. Our strikers might not be firing, but we have them for now, and that might be the summer's problem. It might even be a happy headache by then if one or two of them start to find form.

Steve: We need to find a manager and players who can play attractive attacking football. No more 30% possession and trying to nick a goal on the break - it's been torture watching for far too long.

Paul: A long time coming but finally the takeover has been completed. First need to secure Premier League safety, which will need some new players brought in January. As much as the current style of play is terrible, I think Sean Dyche should stay until the end of the season and get us safe. The summer planning needs to start now. Line up a new manager, some new players and, most exciting of all, the move to our fabulous new stadium.

David: Dyche to remain in place to the summer. Assess the club, players and staffing and don't be too knee-jerk in January. We need stability and simply to remain in the Premier League this year. Use the summer to rebuild, new ethos, new manager, new stadium…and a new bookkeeper to avoid any more PSR breaches!

Mike: Change of culture, change of management, refresh the team, boost the squad, find a striker who actually knows how to score, open up lines of communication with fans, solve world hunger, fix global warming...just the simple things first!

Noel: We need to get new players in the January transfer window but the main priority for the new owners is to clear the club's debt.

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Everton's takeover by the Friedkin Group is exactly the Christmas present their long-suffering fans craved after the years of chaos and crisis under Farhad Moshiri.

After an ill-judged dalliance with US-based 777 Partners and expressions of interest from Crystal Palace owner John Textor, American billionaire Dan Friedkin returned to the table after initially pulling back following a period of due diligence.

Friedkin's group now own 99.5% of Everton and - in this initial honeymoon period - will be welcomed with open arms by a fanbase that has suffered relegation battles, points deductions for failure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and was locked in civil war with the previous board.

Everton's new executive chairman Marc Watts delivered a measured first mission statement as he said the new era would be marked by "ambition and professionalism", adding: "We look forward to showing our commitment to the club through actions not words."

All of which will be music to the ears of Everton's fans.

Of more immediate interest will be the impact on manager Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell, with their contracts up at the end of the season. The January transfer window will be the first indicator of the new direction.

Friedkin showed his ambition at AS Roma by appointing - then subsequently sacking - Jose Mourinho, although this was also a period that brought their first major European trophy in the shape of the Europa Conference League in 2022.

For now, though, Everton supporters will be breathing more easily as they ponder what the new Friedkin-led era will bring.

After almost nine years, Farhad Moshiri's time as Everton owner has ended.

The British-Iranian businessman had brought much hope to the Toffees when he purchased a 49.6% stake in the club in February 2016, but his tenure did not pan out as planned.

Since becoming a majority shareholder at Goodison Park, Everton have mostly been on a downward trajectory - characterised by multiple managerial changes, financial struggles, points deductions and relegation battles.

Moshiri invested around £750m into the club but with little or no financial return.

Moshiri oversaw 11 different managerial stints at Goodison Park during his tenure, inheriting Roberto Martinez before appointing seven permanent first-team managers to try to restore the club back to its former glory.

The first six of those appointments lasted an average of just 309 days each, between their first and final games, before current boss Sean Dyche who is approaching two years at the helm.

The Friedkin Group takeover is officially complete - and the new era at Everton can finally commence.

As Farhad Moshiri departs after eight years of stewardship, what should the priorities be for the new ownership?

Is there an imminent decision to make around Sean Dyche's future?

Should they be focusing on the January transfer window?

Or are there more pressing issues to sort out?

Send us your suggestions here

The takeover of Everton by the Friedkin Group is set to be confirmed on Thursday. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Mike Hughes
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

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Everton's desperate December has so far turned out to be completely different from the less-than-great expectations the dreadfully difficult fixture schedule had hinted at.

Despite the 4-0 mauling by Manchester United on the first day of the month, the two matches since have yielded four very valuable points.

The victory against Wolves at Goodison, directly after the Old Trafford debacle, could hardly have been more emphatic. Given the standard of opposition, it might be worthwhile not getting too carried away with the result, but it is always worth remembering that you only get three points for whoever you beat.

Saturday's unexpected but very welcome point from the 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium points to the significant improvement in Everton's defending in the past month or so. Four clean sheets from the past five Premier League matches has an impressive and important feel.

The lack of goals scored at the other end remains problematic. But there was a renewed sense of conviction about their attacking against Wolves and that will need to continue if they are to trouble much-improved Chelsea when they come to Goodison Park on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca has done an incredible job at Stamford Bridge so far. Given the quality and depth of the squad and the amount of money spent, perhaps we should not be too surprised.

However, getting the best from the wonderfully gifted group of players at Chelsea also owes much to how he has pruned an unnecessarily bloated squad. They have plenty of potential match winners in their squad, not least Cole Palmer, possibly the Premier League's stand-out player over the past 18 months.

Sean Dyche knows the size of the task and Everton will need a performance full of energy and endeavour to have any hope of success. However, they do have a really good recent record against Chelsea at Goodison Park and that will be an obvious reference point for the players.

If Dwight McNeil is able to overcome his knee injury, he will add more guile and invention to their attack. Orel Mangala has done more than enough to justify his place in the team in recent matches. Dyche should therefore resist the temptation to move Abdoulaye Doucoure to a deeper role at Mangala's expense if McNeil is fit.

If there is a vulnerability at Chelsea, then it is in the heart of defence. They lack a really commanding central defender and the manager is still searching for his best combination. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez often makes poor decisions can lead to opponents being gifted clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.

This match represents another tall order but it is a challenge Dyche and his players will be keen take on.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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Briony Bragg
Fan writer

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I have never been so pleased to watch my team sit so deep for the entire game, but away against a side pushing for the title I will make an exception. Particularly when our record at Arsenal does not make for happy reading. A bit like our upcoming fixtures, which I still feel very uncertain about.

It was a memorable win last season against Chelsea, a fixture that normally seems to come around this time of year. I have happy memories of Duncan Ferguson dancing down the touchline when Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 3-1.

But Enzo Maresca is doing a fantastic job at Chelsea. There is no denying they are in the title race, however much he may try and avoid talking about it.

Yet I wonder how Goodison Park will react on Sunday if our tactics mirror those deployed at Emirates Stadium. We saw similar against Fulham at home, and the crowd were miserable about it. Playing at home is totally different. Fans want entertainment.

However, I can see Dyche wanting to play it safe, particularly when a trip to Manchester City is next up - we all know they need a win.

We want to see more from Calvert-Lewin who, if he wants to leave, needs to put himself in the shop window properly as there were not many suitors in the summer.

I can understand why.

The entirety of Dyche's tactics has him stood with his back to goal to hold the ball up, surrounded by opposing defenders. He needs a different style of play that suits him, something Dyche cannot offer.

Look at Chris Wood flourishing under Nuno Espirito Santo - it reminds me of Calvert-Lewin under Ancelotti. I struggle to believe we will see him back to his best before we say goodbye to him, but I hope he proves me wrong.

Find more from Briony Bragg at This Fan Girl, external

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Ex-Everton defender Alan Stubbs has revealed his most memorable injury story - and it comes as quite a surprise!

The former centre-back ultimately retired from playing because of a knee injury but actually what he most remembers is when his manager got hurt, in unexpected fashion.

"When I was at Everton, David Moyes was the manager at the time and was going through a little bit of a health kick," Stubbs told BBC Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast. "He was trying to get a little bit fitter.

"One afternoon, we had been in the gym and it was just as we moved to Finch Farm, which was a state-of-the-art training ground. The gym was a big gym and we're around the corner and the gaffer was on the treadmill with the fitness coach, Dave Billows.

"Dave [Billows] is speeding the treadmill up as it's going. The gaffer [Moyes] has said, 'Yeah, you can go a bit faster, a bit faster,' so Dave's put it up.

"As he's done that, the gaffer has gone to do his steps, he fell, tripped on the treadmill - and it is going at about 16, 17 miles per hour - and shot him all the way back into one of the weight apparatus!"

Rather than show sympathy however, Stubbs explained he and his Everton team-mates enjoyed pretending they were not aware of it.

"He has scraped all of his face and his leg on the treadmill and we all just ran out of gym because we all knew what was going to happen next," Stubbbs continued.

"We've gone into the changing rooms and the next minute the gaffer's come out and he's gone into the coaches' changing room. We've walked in going: 'All right has anyone seen the gaffer?' as if we didn't know [what had happened]! When we walked in, you could see all his face was cut and all his legs.

"So yeah, that was probably the best one!"

Listen to the Sacked In The Morning podcast on BBC Sounds

Everton are monitoring 22-year-old Rangers and Morocco striker Hamza Igamane, with the futures of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto at the club unclear. (TBR Football), external

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

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Everton striker Armando Broja has said Everton are "going to stick together and hopefully get more results" but knows the club have more tough fixtures before the end of the year.

The Albania international will be ineligible to face his parent club this weekend as the Toffees host Chelsea on Sunday, but he will hope to be back in the squad for their Boxing Day trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.

But Everton have picked up four points from their last two games, including a point against Arsenal on Saturday, and speaking to the club's official website, external about the draw at the Emirates, Broja said: "This was a great point for us. Four points in the last two games - It's really important.

"It's only going to get harder from now, but we're just going to stick together and hopefully get more results."

Broja, who joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer, made his first appearance for the club in the recent victory against Wolves and speaking about his move he said: "I've been at Chelsea my whole life, but I've gone to Everton which is a massive club.

"The expectations are high, but I like having that pressure as well because it makes me play better. I was happy to come back from my injury and had my debut last week."

The 23-year-old has made both of his appearances off the bench and was asked if he thinks he's ready for his first start for the club: "That's obviously down to the manager. I can only train well and do the things they want from me."

But when called upon the Albanian has vowed to "fight, help out the team, try to draw fouls, try to get my team up the pitch, try to do the basics of football.

"Obviously it's down to the manager and what team he decides to have. I can only keep applying pressure and keep doing my part."

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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Anti-football. Parking the bus. A lower-league approach.

Whatever way you choose to describe Everton's performance at Arsenal, a point at Emirates Stadium was a surprising early Christmas present for us all.

The match highlighted the almost embarrassing gulf between the two sides, however.

We could spend and have spent many hours discussing our current 'brand' of football. The hope is it is resigned to the past over the next 12 months, as a bright new future becomes our reality.

One player who has so often been the light amid the darkness is Jordan Pickford.

So often sneered at and willed to fail by the national football press, he once again highlighted why he is the best our club has had since Neville Southall and one of the best the country has ever produced.

Without Pickford, it does not bear thinking about where our football club would be.

He highlighted his shot-stopping qualities on numerous occasions against Arsenal. At one point, it felt like a personal crusade to ensure his clean sheet was kept intact.

He is certainly one player who falls into the 'success' category of the Farhad Moshiri era. An era that is set to end this week.

Premier League approval was mooted on Friday. Either way, the club is on the verge of a brave new dawn.

The off-field anxieties immediately lift. Concerns about month-to-month funding is eradicated.

For the first time in over three years, it feels we will be able to breathe again as a fanbase.

Being stagnant and hoping solely for survival will not be acceptable.

Standards will increase and mottos will become meaningful once again.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Nothing but the best is good enough.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter at Emirates Stadium

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It might not have been easy on the eye, but the steel, resolve and discipline Everton displayed was understandably hailed by the players and manager alike.

Speaking to a few fans afterwards, there were mixed emotions, though. A point would have been gladly accepted before kick-off and a clean sheet at the Emirates isn't to be sniffed at either - but there were still complaints about a lack of ambition at the other end.

However, is it a case of needs must when you're one of those involved in the battle to stay out of the bottom three?

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

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans:

Rachel: The inconsistency of this team is thoroughly disappointing. I think we have to face the facts that we simply aren't good enough. Teams like Chelsea are in the ascendancy. Arsenal put in an accomplished performance against Monaco three days ago yet cannot find a way to beat a team 15th in the league. No more excuses, Mikel Arteta. You know what to do.

Richard: Another disappointing result for AFC. Home games against lower-half teams are "must win" for any team with title aspirations. As ever, Arsenal had a lot of possession and passed the ball around nicely, but failed to score. A striker is urgently required in January.

Ste: Up front we're less X-factor and more Y-bother. Upgrades needed urgently if we're going to be anything other than a footnote in this title race.

Kelvin: Not surprised anymore. We can only hope to finish in the top four. If we don't buy a good number nine, then I fear we will start losing some of our senior players to clubs who are winning trophies.

Everton fans:

Peter: We defended and disrupted well, but didn't make enough chances. Solid performance in all, but it would have been so sweet to nick a cheeky goal in the final few minutes.

Dave: Digging in for a boring defensive game does nothing towards entertaining the supporters. Boring boring Sean Dyche and boring football. Most Everton fans are used to this mind-numbing football now as Everton persevere with one poor striker trying to pinch a goal. If not, a bore draw is usually served up. Boring tactics to kill a game. Why can't the mighty Everton go into a game with attractive football expecting to score a few goals? Dyche out asap!

Andy: We showed very little ambition and parked the bus, but there is no shame in that against one of the top teams. Great shift by all concerned. Unexpected point to be honest. In future seasons we need to target giving Arsenal a game as equals. Dyche won't be part of that equation but as long as he keeps us up this season, I can't complain too much.

David: Good to see the re-emergence of our strong defensive work that was missing in the first few games of this season. A solid display and considering where we are currently and our history with this fixture a point is a massive bonus. Well done, Blues!

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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite believes Saturday's draw at Arsenal "shows how good a team" the Toffees can be.

Speaking after the game, Branthwaite said: "We're all buzzing - to come down here and get a point the way we did, everyone's buzzing.

"It shows how good a team we can be, defensively today we were solid - front to back. We knew it was going to be hard coming down here, we had to stay on it at all times and that's what we've done.

"You've got to stay mentally aware, if you don't in a split second they can be in and score - it's tiring but that's the work as a footballer, when you come off the pitch and you've picked up a point like we have it's all worth it."

Branthwaite played the full 90 minutes for the fifth consecutive game, after a spell on the sidelines through injury.

He added: "After such a long time out, it's been difficult getting up to speed, coming into the Premier League where they've played so many games and I haven't played anything for three/four months. I'm starting to find my feet and as a back four we're working well.

"I am getting there and obviously I'm still getting sharper and fitter. It's going to take a little bit longer than the four games I've had but I'm feeling a lot better in myself, feeling stronger and I've just got to keep on top of my body so I don't have any setbacks."

Listen to the whole of his interview

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:

• Liverpool 2-2 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa

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Arsenal (17) and Everton (13) have kept the most Premier League clean sheets in 2024.

Everton have kept six clean sheets in their last nine Premier League games, but have failed to score in six of those matches during this period. The Toffees have now played out 109 goalless draws in the Premier League, the most in the competition's history (overtaking Aston Villa, 108).

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Everton boss Sean Dyche told BBC Sport after today's match: "You have to know how to work it without the ball. It's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have the ball. You have to do the other things well.

"Ashley Young has been in great form. Great strength of character. Vitalii Mykolenko, one of his big strengths is one on ones. The midfield three were excellent.

"They're a fine side. We know that. The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics - pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players.

"They were trying to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were.

"It's another step in the right direction."

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Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford speaking after today's draw: "It's about how we apply ourselves - stick to the game plan and suffer. We suffered a lot without the ball. We dug a point out.

"Two defeats in 10 or 11. The discipline is there. Against Arsenal you'd smash and grab a point all day long.

"I made some good saves at good times. The lads made some brlliant blocks. A good performance from everyone."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal’s performance

What did you make of Everton’s display?

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

Read the report and follow reaction

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you all the key moments.

• Arsenal v Everton

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Leicester

• Wolves v Ipswich

• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here