Everton

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

With no obvious weakness when it comes to keeping the ball out of the net, Jordan Pickford's temperament has sometimes been seen as his biggest issue.

Rooney once felt he was "too agitated", especially in comparison to his long-time keeper at Manchester United, Edwin van der Sar, who was always cool and composed.

But ex-Everton forward Theo Walcott feels Pickford has changed as he has grown older and reduced the histrionics that used to be his trademark.

"Jordan has calmed down a lot - I just think he has got a bit more mature," Walcott told BBC Sport.

"Earlier in his career there were times I played with him where it felt like if he was bored in the game he thought he had to do something, just to feel like he was involved.

"He is not really involved in any scuffles anymore and that is down to maturity."

For many years, people linked Pickford's on-pitch personality to his performances - in his first few seasons at Everton it felt like we saw as many errors from him as there were eruptions.

That has changed too - he has made much fewer mistakes leading to goals when playing for his club in recent seasons, and that increased focus has long been apparent for his country.

Peter Shilton, with a record 125 caps, is the only man to have played more times in goal for England than Pickford, but he has still kept clean sheets in exactly 50% of his appearances so far and has made only one error leading to a goal since his international debut in 2017 - a poor clearance against Belgium in March 2024.

"That stat about how only one mistake has led to a goal really shows the level of consistency he has achieved for England, because in terms of international games played, that equates to one error over more than two Premier League seasons," former England goalkeeper Rob Green said.

Read the full article on why Pickford is England's number one

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Tuchel says "the race is on" to be England's number one, but is Jordan Pickford's place really under any serious threat - and just how good is he?

"I remember having a talk with Marge [Martyn Margetson, England's former goalkeeping coach] about Pickford and asking him if, technically, he is that much better than everyone else?" former England goalkeepers Rob Green told BBC Sport.

"Possibly not, and he has his own flaws and his own idiosyncrasies, like every goalkeeper has.

"When he is facing a shot, he drops his hands wide and low behind himself, and puts one hand up slightly before the other. There are oddities in his set position, in that he is slightly out of sync, but you can unpick his style all you like because what matters is that he makes the save."

Pickford is rightly renowned for his fast reflexes when making stops but, like every modern keeper, he is no longer only judged by how good he is with his hands.

"He has definitely improved his all-round play with his feet," other former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson explained. "Where Jordan has always been strong is with his long distribution and his ability to start a counter-attack - there are not many better than him at that in the Premier League.

"He can kick it accurately for absolutely miles in a similar way I used to do, and as a goalkeeper you enjoy that. The game has changed now, but he is still able to play out with shorter passes from the back too.

"You would do very well to find the perfect keeper anyhow but, when I analyse his overall game, I feel like Jordan understands his own qualities and he has grown and developed into the keeper we see now.

"He knows what he is good at and what he has maybe needed to work at, and he is still working at it now."

Read the full article on why Pickford is England's number one

Image source, Getty Images

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Thomas asked: Do you think Everton have turned a corner and have a chance at breaking into the top half this season? I just can't see past the striker issue at the moment.

Phil answered: I do think Everton have a real chance of finishing in the top half this season. They look much better under David Moyes - although I still think he made a huge error picking a weakened team against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

Everton fans are desperate for a trophy after 30 barren years. It was a needless waste of a chance to go far in a competition they should have targeted.

If there is anything that is going to hold them back, it is exactly what you have said. Beto is not good enough and I think we have to be kind and say Thierno Barry is a work in progress.

Either way, neither are up to it at the moment and you suspect Moyes also knows it from the way he is chopping and changing them, often during games and even at half-time.

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There's a belief that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in life – and for a football club, it's no different.

David Moyes has been eager to stress that the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium would come with bumps in the road and take some time to truly feel like home for us all.

Despite being unbeaten since our move, I always felt the new stadium needed to be officially christened – a moment that all Evertonians could emphatically declare "we're home". Thanks to Jack Grealish, it's safe to say that we have got it.

You think back to the stoppage time winners that we witnessed at Goodison Park over the years and we were all transported back when the ball hit the roof of the net in the 93rd minute on Sunday.

A cacophony of noise - that had been building since David Moyes was booked prior to our equaliser – threatened to open up cracks in the dock walls underneath the stadium.

That moment was precisely what we needed. Whether deserved or not, it was the stamp that authenticated Hill Dickinson Stadium as the home of Everton Football Club.

It was almost written in the stars that it would be Grealish who had the honour of creating that first "limbs" moment at our new home.

He's become somewhat of the poster boy for our new era. He is the marquee signing that The Friedkin Group were so eager to make, so it was incredibly fitting that he scored his first Everton goal in such dramatic circumstances.

All that's left to say is welcome home, Everton Football Club. Welcome home.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Referee Michael Salisbury had only just blown the full-time whistle to confirm Everton's dramatic late win over Crystal Palace when the Toffees updated the bio on their X account.

Underneath the club's famous badge appeared three words: Grealish for England., external

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last wore a Three Lions shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under interim manager Lee Carsley.

There are 249 days before the start of the World Cup. Will Grealish be on board the England plane?

"You know what? I don't think it's as deep as everyone says," he told BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game.

"At the end of the day, you want to play for the national team but people are doing well in my position. I'm doing well also, but the people picked last month did really well in the two games so that's fine with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I fully respect that."

Grealish added: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport that Grealish's form for Everton will be giving Tuchel a "headache".

"All Jack can do is keep doing what he is doing, obviously getting a goal today," said Rooney, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England.

"I'm sure if he keeps doing that he will be there or thereabouts come the summer.

"If Jack plays his talent will show, so I'm sure he'll be giving the England manager a headache."

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Alex: After a woeful first half in which we deserved to go 1-0 down, the second half was a huge improvement. Very shrewd substitutions and Carlos Alcaraz really injected some much-needed energy into the team. Great game in defence from James Tarkowski and Michael Keane. So good to see Jack Grealish on the scoresheet. COYB. We've shown we can win ugly. Superb result.

Steve: A good win, three valuable points. Sloppy play in the first half. Picked up in the second half. Pleased to see Grealish score. Will have to play more consistent though if we are to maintain this good run of success.

Ken: Poor in the first half but showed resilience and determination. Palace deserved a draw but football doesn't work like that. Good to see Jack get his first Blue goal and full credit to Iliman Ndiaye for a cool penalty. Onwards and upwards. A really good result if not a 100% performance. The international break gives us a chance to work on a few things.

Graham: Alcaraz changed the game. Got a touch lucky today but glad we showed some bottle to go until the end. The ref however was as dreadful as can be!

Crystal Palace fans

Vic: The first half we all but dominated proceedings with only one goal to show. The football was as good as the travelling support could have hoped for after the win against Dynamo Kiev on Thursday. Sadly, missed chances was again our downfall that resulted in a spirited fightback by the Toffees. In the end, it seemed a game too far as we ran out of steam.

Al: Three points lost. The first half was one of wasted chances and then more wasted. Disappointing from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is struggling in front of goal. Perhaps a wake up call for the team. The bonus is that we are still sitting in top six.

Dave: Palace played well overall, but a mistake and a poor performance from the ref have cost us today. How many times the ref unfairly penalised Adam Wharton was ridiculous.

Paul: Great start and first half. Everton much more physical in second half. Mateta should have scored a sitter, then there was a certain inevitability about it. Everton are a bit of a bogey team for us. Had forgotten what it felt like to lose (April)!!

Pundits Joe Hart and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 2-1 Burnley

• Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest

• Wolves 1-1 Brighton

• Brentford 0-1 Man City

Out-of-favour Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, will consider staying in the Premier League if he leaves Old Trafford, with Everton and West Ham touted as potential destinations. (Teamtalk), external

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

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Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace fans have already enjoyed Conference League trips to Norway and Poland this season, but it is eight years since Everton last competed in Europe.

The Toffees remain a work in progress under David Moyes but there is compelling evidence they are moving in the right direction under the Scot with this comeback win greeted with huge celebration among the home support.

They were poor for long periods against a Palace side who should have had the game won before Ndiaye equalised from the spot after Lacroix's needless challenge.

That goal lifted the home side who won it through Grealish in the most dramatic fashion.

Grealish, playing his final game for three weeks as he is ineligible to face parent club Manchester City in Everton's first game back after the international break, has already proved his worth with four Premier League assists since arriving.

Moyes mentioned in his pre-match news conference that he wanted to see his number 18 score more, and Grealish answered with his first Premier League goal since 2 April to seal Everton's first league win since August.

Everton boss David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the win over Crystal Palace: "I've been waiting for one of these for quite a few games. I was looking for a late goal against Aston Villa and even Leeds United earlier in the season but we got one today, thankfully, against a side who've been on a brilliant run, so it was great to get.

"Look, I maybe was expecting them to come a little bit fatigued after their game on Thursday but they played really, really well. But that doesn't take anything away from how poor we were in the first half at times. We made changes at half time. I thought all the subs that came on made a brilliant impact, they really did and probably helped us win the game.

"We could've been three down in the second half before we go on to win the game. They'll be disappointed they didn't get that chance. We hung in. We kept defending it even though we weren't great but we played much better in the second half and we were worthy of maybe getting it. But if you look at it, they could've had a couple more goals."

On the atmosphere: "What we want is to create is Goodison Park again, the noise and atmosphere. And I think people are still getting used to it. It's going to take us time.

"When the crowd are behind the team here it's great and they're desperate for something special here. Look, we have to try and build it. It took me 11 years, I won't be here 11 years this time but hopefully we can build it and get it in the right order again."

On Jack Grealish's goal: "I think when you need goals you'll take anything, centre forwards will tell you, it doesn't really matter how you get them.

"I'm pleased for Jack because he's helped us an awful lot since he came in."

Did you know?

• Everton have won just three of their last 31 home Premier League matches when they've conceded first, but all three have come against Crystal Palace - 3-2 in May 2022, 2-1 in September 2024 and 2-1 today.

Hear from Jack Grealish on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Palace's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

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

• Wolves v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Aston Villa v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (after Singapore Grand Prix)

• Brentford v Man City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wolves v Brighton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Ndiaye, Dibling, Grealish, Barry.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Guehi, Richards, Lacroix, Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.

This should be a good game, and a real test of whether Everton's new ground is actually the 'fortress' my 606 co-host Roman Kemp describes it as.

Everton are still unbeaten there but they have drawn two out of three games so far and the handbrake is still on, isn't it? Maybe Roman's definition of a fortress is just different to most other people's.

There will be no gung-ho tactics here, either, because this is going to be a really tight affair between two very clever managers. But after watching Palace last week I have to back them really.

Oliver Glasner's side were quite direct against Liverpool and it will be a good battle if they do the same here.

I enjoy watching Everton and, in particular, Jack Grealish, but I worry about their firepower up front.

If they had a goalscorer I would probably say they would get something, but instead I am going with Palace to keep a clean sheet and to take home the points.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Crystal Palace may be on a club record unbeaten run, but Everton have proven to be a bogey side of late to the Eagles. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes before Sunday's match.

With victory over Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday, Crystal Palace surpassed a club record that had stood since 1969, with their unbeaten run now at a remarkable 19 matches.

They now put that on the line against an opponent that has proven to be a real nemesis of late. The Eagles are without a win in nine against Everton, have recorded just one victory in 21 league matches versus the Toffees and their last top-flight away victory against them came in 2014.

If they do avoid defeat against David Moyes' side, they would set another outright club record of 13 top-flight matches without a loss, beating the previous mark set back in 1990.

They also are on the longest unbeaten streak of any club in Europe's top five leagues. These really are halcyon days for Oliver Glasner's FA Cup winners.

Going into this weekend, only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have won more Premier League points than Palace in 2025, while the Eagles' defence have conceded just three goals in their opening six league matches this season, even though four of those six games have come against teams who finished in the top seven in 2024-25.

Since 1 January, Palace's expected goals tally is 46.2, which ranks second in the top flight. They have also been strong defensively, allowing their opponents an expected goals total of just 29.4, giving them an expected goals difference of 18.6 - a figure bettered only by champions and league leaders Liverpool.

Everton will surely be hoping they can follow Palace's recent blueprint for success and eventually soar like the Eagles. They are off to a solid start to life at Hill Dickinson Stadium, having won two and drawn two of their opening four matches there.

That is not to say Moyes does not have issues he needs to address, including converting draws into wins on home soil. Since the start of last season, the Toffees have drawn a top-flight high 11 matches at home, including seven of their past 10.

Moyes will also be keen to rectify their terrible record versus teams in the top half of the table, having won just four of their last 31 league matches against sides starting the day in the top 10.

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Sunday day's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 14:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Rohl's will not be returning yet, with Moyes stating "they are both making progress but they haven't made it on the grass yet".

• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall received his fifth yellow card against West Ham and Moyes confirmed Everton have spoken to Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) about the booking. He said: "We have spoken to them and they are accepting the yellow cards are wrong. The last two decisions are terrible, more for the boy and we are going to miss him. He is back playing football now."

• Jordan Pickford will make his 300th appearance against Crystal Palace: "I think all round he is a really good goalkeeper. He is a very good shot stopper and very good with the ball. He has grown in maturity especially as he has been around England more. He's got a bit about him but behind the scenes he is a serious goalkeeper."

• Moyes was asked about using Iliman Ndiaye on the right and said: "It will take him a bit of time and we might change him over at different times. We might put him back to the left if we think it's the right moment. If different things change we can play him as the number 10 as well."

• Jack Grealish was not selected by Thomas Tuchel to be in the England squad and Moyes said: "I am glad I don't pick the England team because the England squad is a great group of players to choose from, really top players all around the country. Jack is one of them, he is in really good form but I am glad I don't pick the England team. He is showing the levels he can get to and we are hoping he continues with that. I believe he will be ready, he needs to continue on scoring goals and making assists."

• On the form of striker's Beto and Thierno Barry: "From January Beto was as good as any striker, scored goals, helped make goals. Barry is a new young striker coming to the league. I can talk about many that take time to settle in. If you are going to expect a lot from them before settling in you're wrong to expect that."

• The manager was asked about his decision to not make a lot of substitutions and he said: "I've felt we've got a much stronger squad than we've had for a long time and we are able to make changes if need be, but sometimes if there's no need to make the changes, you just don't do it for change sake."

Listen to Everton v Crystal Palace on Sports Extra 2 here

Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming international break.

The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October, before a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on 14 October.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer is absent after suffering an injury, while there is no place for Manchester City's Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from City.

Everton's on-loan Manchester City winger Jack Grealish looks set to miss out of England's next squad. (Guardian), external

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