Everton

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

The transformation under David Moyes has been nothing short of miraculous.

He arrived at a club with players devoid of confidence and took charge of a grup that looked unsure how to win.

Combine that with the hangover of PSR issues - meaning recruitment was difficult in January -, with having three of our four strikers injured, with Iliman Ndiaye picking up a knee injury and Abdoulaye Doucoure's suspension, and the form has been quite simply incredible.

The Everton bench on Saturday consisted of two goalkeepers, three outfield first-team players and four youth-team players. When you see other clubs, who have spent big money, bemoan their luck on the injury front, it is somewhat laughable.

The win over Crystal Palace was not pretty but we are seeing an Everton side create good chances week in, week out. And we have got a player who can finish.

Evertonians love a cult hero and, in a resurgent Beto, we have found one.

So often overlooked under the previous regime, he was on the brink of exiting the club in January. Fast forward a few weeks and not only is he scoring goals, his humble nature and appreciation of the love from the fans is fabulous to see.

Sometimes a player not only needs an opportunity but needs to feel appreciated. Moyes has certainly made him feel that.

We are playing to his strengths, while starting games regularly is giving him the adaptation time he has not been given since his arrival.

His unorthodox and unpredictable style is certainly a weapon in our attacking arsenal. Even when other strikers return, they will be hard pushed to replace Beto.

Long may the love affair continue.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Pete from Birkenhead asked: Last week you said you were not convinced that Beto was a £30m striker - care to revise that opinion?

Phil answered: I knew this one would be coming. All I will say is that up until two weeks ago, I'm not sure even Beto's biggest admirers would say he looked like a £30m striker.

Now we come to Beto under David Moyes, who has got him playing to his strengths and running into channels rather than with his back towards goal, plus the fact that Everton are actually playing forward and quickly has also been to his benefit.

He has looked composed, a real focal point and a handful. One thing you could never accuse Beto of was a lack of effort, so it is great to see his endeavour rewarded.

If he continues this form, consistently, then I will be very happy to revise my opinion. He has been excellent in the last few weeks.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Macca from Thailand asked: Do you think that some pundits, including yourself as a football reporter, should be eating humble pie? All that nonsense about Sean Dyche being the best manager to keep Everton in the Premier League, and now David Moyes has taken Dyche's reputation and shredded it. Thoughts?

Phil answered: I do not comment on other pundits because they are perfectly entitled to their opinions. My view was that I thought Sean Dyche would keep Everton up and then leave at the end of the season, as the club needed to take a new direction.

In the end, Dyche clearly decided he could not get any more out of the squad and the decision was made to part ways with new owners The Friedkin Group.

David Moyes has quite simply been transformative. Look at the results, look at the goals. It is the sign of a good manager when players who either struggled, in Beto's case, or were effectively ignored, like Jake O'Brien, have flourished.

In the space of a few weeks, Moyes has got Everton looking up rather than down.

I think history will be kind to Dyche, as he kept Everton in the Premier League in tough circumstances, such as a lack of finances and points deductions, but there is no doubt Moyes has been a breath of fresh air at Goodison Park.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans:

Miles: Every game against Everton over the past four seasons could be summed up in one sentence: how did we lose that? Always seem to dominate against them but completely implode. A true curse. Don't think there's a more frustrating fixture as a Palace fan.

Pedro: Typical Palace - one step forward, two steps backwards. A naive and rather clueless performance. Mitchell's a liability, Mateta's excellent, Eze's lazy. Too many gaps. Very frustrating.

Mark: A game we should not have lost, as Glasner said. Had the better chances and should have scored one or two more goals. The first goal was a freak mistake and the second one we struggled to get the ball clear. Very avoidable. Not sure why we can't play as well at home.

Bill: That Selhurst Park is a tough place to come to is an embarrassing myth. We give points away like Christmas presents. I despair of ever seeing a decent game there. It's like groundhog day with Palace playing pretty football up to the final third when they then play like a park team. Away fans are lucky because it's like a different (better) team play then.

Everton fans:

Martin: Some things just work well together. Cheese and pickle. Pork and apple. Moyes and Everton. Get in there. Great team effort. Great three points. Onwards and upwards.

Mark: David Moyes has given the players and fans the belief that we are unstoppable, and it's making a huge difference on the pitch. Even when Palace pulled level and at times were on top, there was always the belief we would get full points. Closer to Europe than relegation, so now it's time to enjoy the rest of the season - our last season at Goodison.

Sean: I just love watching Everton play again. The passion, the drive, the heart - it's all there. Those players look like they would run through walls for this club, and that's what we're all about. It feels like proper Everton again.

Jeff: Beto was absolutely fantastic. Working his boots off from the first till the last minute. It makes you wonder: where would we have been in the league table if he had started every match instead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin? Our first priority should be to renew Beto's contract. He is happy now and the fans love him!

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Everton defender Jarrard Branthwaite believes it is a good sign that the Toffees are picking up points when they are not playing their best, and hopes the club continues their good form under David Moyes.

Speaking after Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, Branthwaite said: "It's a brilliant feeling. We didn't perform at our best, but it's a difficult place to come.

"The midweek game was massive and it took a lot of energy out of all of our players. We're quite thin on players at the moment - a lot of crucial players out with injury.

"So to come down here and pick up three points is massive. We didn't play our best but if you can win games when not playing your best - it's a good sign."

Since Moyes returned as manager in January, Everton have picked up 13 points from the six games.

Branthwaite said: "Before he came in we had that defensive resilience and the structure as a squad. Maybe he's brought in a bit of attacking flair and knowledge.

"We're creating loads more chances. We're working on different positions for the attackers and different runs to make to open the defences. I think you can see it's working."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Everton are set to revive their interest in Lyon's Rayan Cherki after considering a move for the 21-year-old French winger in January. (Football Insider), external

The Blues will make a move for Burnley's 22-year-old French centre-back Maxime Esteve if Jarrad Branthwaite leaves this summer. (Sun - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man City 4-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Everton

Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist

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Since David Moyes returned to Everton, the Toffees' form has been nothing short of superb.

Their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday took their tally under the Scotsman to 13 points in six matches.

During this period, only Arsenal have equalled same same number, and Everton have also gained three more points than their Merseyside rivals and league leaders Liverpool.

Prior to Moyes' return, the Toffees picked up just three league wins in 19 Premier League matches.

After Saturday, they now have four victories under Moyes.

Beto and James Tarkowski both indicated after the match that the team is playing better football under the Scot, while the 61-year-old said: "To come back to Everton was something I hoped would happen and I didn't expect it to happen.

"It is great to be accepted again and the fans have been brilliant.

"I think they are starting to believe a bit more in us and the team. Everton has had a difficult period and I certainly think there is light at the end of the tunnel now with the new owners coming in."

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Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports after today's win: "The players have reacted well. It has been a dream start coming in and winning so many games. Starting to look more healthy in the Premier League.

"I hope it will be the case, ultimately I am thinking we still have to get enough points. It has been a brilliant start, it was a good win for us today, really scrappy.

"They showed great resilience and won at a difficult place against a team who have been improving."

On the performance: "I expected better. I told them that. I thought we looked not at it in the first half. In the second half we did a bit better with the ball, even though we lost the goal in the second half. The players are doing wonders, I am so pleased for them.

"There's a much better togetherness with the supporters and the players. It is certainly a club which thrives off its support, hopefully we are getting them all back on side again."

On the atmosphere at Goodison Park during the Merseyside derby: "We all know Goodison has never been an easy place to come and play. I have to say, since I come back the crowd has been fantastic - Goodison is much more like I remembered it."

On positive form since his return: "I don't know if there's any secret. Sometimes in football you're given opportunities and you have to take your chance. Beto's chances have come through injury, he probably saw a chance to play half a dozen games or so.

"It was down to him to show if he was capable. He is getting better in the games as well and I am really pleased for him."

On Carlos Alcarez: "He started to tire a bit just before he got his goal. He did a great job for the team.

"We are short of players, 13 first team players available, not a great deal on the bench - that's why the wins are so important.

"Carlos has done a great job today."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton defender James Tarkowski has also been speaking to Sky Sports after today's win: "We knew it was going to be tough today. Low on numbers and with all the emotions of Wednesday. We had quality when we needed and we defended well late on."

On Beto: "He has been outstanding. he has run himself into the ground as much as he can. he has bee outstanding recently and got his goal."

Have you improved since Moyes came in? "Winning and scoring goals brings that back. Since the manager has come in we have definitely improved. I don't think we were great today but we took our opportunities. We are still working to get better.

"On a day like today, we stuck at it and got the win."

Image source, Getty Images

Everton goalscorer Beto has been speaking to Sky Sports after today's victory: "I am playing with more confidence and joy. We are playing better football and the team is confident. We want to win every game. Today we deserved to win and it is like this."

On the fan support: "It means a lot. It means a lot. I just needed to keep working on myself and improving. Maybe I wasn't playing because I wasn't in good fitness or confidence. I am really happy and I love hearing them singing my name."

On new signing Carlos Alcaraz: "He played really good today. He was close to me and we talked a lot and you can see he is very good. I am really happy for him, he is a good guy."

Image source, Getty Images

Since David Moyes' first match in charge since returning to the club, Everton have picked up 13 points - with no team in the Premier League picking up more.

Everton have completed a league double over Crystal Palace for the first time since the 2004-05 season - also under manager David Moyes.

Beto has scored four goals in five Premier League matches under David Moyes, as many as he managed in his 42 league appearances under previous boss Sean Dyche.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

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

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

• Leicester City v Arsenal (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Ipswich Town

• Fulham v Nottingham Forest

• Man City v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Southampton v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Brentford

• Crystal Palace v Everton (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here.

David Moyes' side gave us such great drama at the end of the Merseyside derby, although I must admit I was not watching it properly because I was covering Celtic in the Champions League for Match of the Day.

Moyes has really got Everton going again but I think he is in for a tough evening here.

You have to wonder how much Wednesday night will have taken out of the Toffees, and I suspect it was quite a lot.

Crystal Palace are going well at the moment, and Jean-Philippe Mateta will be hard to stop.

The Eagles have been steadily climbing the table for a few weeks now and I am expecting that to continue, although it will be close.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Everton manager David Moyes admitted he was "disappointed" with Abdoulaye Doucoure's sending off after their 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Moyes said: "He'd played so well in the game and he'd done a great job for the team.

"If he had the chance again, he would have probably not done what he's done."

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Crystal Palace (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes says Iliman Ndiaye will "certainly be out for a few weeks" after he picked up an injury against Liverpool: "He has got a medial ligament injury - it's not looking great at the moment. We are probably not sure how long it will be."

• He says the mood has been high in the dressing room after Wednesday: "We took a point from the game but not three. But we are also realistic that we got something from a game that was difficult to get anything at all. That made it a little bit more special and it has given us a good feeling."

• Moyes gave an assessment of his first month back in the Everton dugout: "I cannot praise the players enough for what they've done. We are trying to make things better and a lot of them have done it. We need to try to keep building."

• On Beto's goalscoring form: "Strikers need a little bit of time to settle in and they live off their goals. If Beto is judging himself off goals then I would say he's doing great. He has started very well for us and I hope he keeps it up."

• When asked if there is any plans to integrate any academy players into the first team, Moyes said: "Leighton Baines has been keeping me up to date. We're seeing bits of them in training and if I think it's needed then they'll play. We hope the ones we've got can step up."

• He denied the rumours that Harrison Armstrong may be recalled from his loan at Derby County.

• Moyes said Abdoulaye Doucoure is "doing fine" after the racial abuse he has received since the Merseyside derby: "I was disappointed [that he got sent off] but it doesn't mean people are allowed to abuse you."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Crystal Palace v Everton at 17:30 on Saturday

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

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Crystal Palace have won just one of their past 20 Premier League games against Everton, beating them 3-1 at Selhurst Park in December 2021.

David Moyes has lost all three of his managerial meetings with Oliver Glasner - twice against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2021-22 Europa League and once against Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season while in charge at West Ham.

Only three managers have won each of their first four games against David Moyes: Claudio Ranieri won his first six, while Alex Ferguson and Manuel Pellegrini won their first four.