Image source, Getty ImagesEverton have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace (W10 D9), a 3-1 loss at Selhurst Park in December 2021. It is the first time that the Toffees have won a match after conceding the opening goal for the first time since October 2022, ending a 35-match streak in the process.
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton winger Dwight McNeil has been speaking about how big today's victory is: "Massive, especially at home, to get three points on the board. It’s been a tough start for us.
"We played well in some games but never took our chances but I think today, especially in that second half we defended really well. Now we’ve just got to step on and take it forward into the game next week."
On their performances: "We’ve been playing well but the results haven’t been showing that. We know the most important thing is winning games.
"First half we weren’t quite on it but I thought in the second half we were on it from the start. We got the three points we know we needed and now its about building that confidence and belief as a group going forward. It’s been a tough start for us.
"We played well in some games but never took our chances but I think today, especially in that second half we defended really well. No we’ve just got to step on and take it forward into the game next week."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking about his emotions after today's win: "Very pleased, a lot of hard work in the turnaround. We conceded a soft goal and we know we’ve got to correct that and we’ve done so well from that kind of situation. First phase and second phase set pieces.
"The reaction was superb, particularly second half to take the game on. Lots of work to be done of course but it's another restart for us."
On how the team were feeling: "When you haven’t got that first win you feel nervous. Then you go 1-0 down, the stadium becomes awkward for the players.
"I spoke to them in the second half about being someone who makes a difference. It’s every person that counts, not just one.
"I thought the feel of the second half was better, not just the quality. Dwight McNeil popping up with two goals for two different reasons and some good energy in our play and the big moments went for us today."
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Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.
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BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.
Everton host Palace at 15:00 on Saturday.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Crystal Palace are a very capable side on their day, but they have not been playing well enough recently.
Everton boss Sean Dyche definitely needs a good result, and I am slightly worried about the atmosphere at Goodison Park if it turns ugly for whatever reason, and how the players handle that.
I keep going for Everton home wins, and being wrong, so I am not making that mistake again. They keep taking the lead but it feels like they need to get Jarrad Branthwaite fit again if they are going to hold out.
I actually fancy Everton here but without Branthwaite at the back I am not so sure they have got a clean sheet in them and, on that basis, I am going to say Palace will get a point.
Smith's prediction: 1-1
Palace have looked bright on occasions without beating anyone, while Everton have gone in front in games and done well without seeing it out either - they have an attacking threat but they are fragile defensively and have completely crumbled in a couple of games.
Their confidence will be low, so I’d say Palace have a good chance of nicking a win, but then neither team have looked very convincing to me.
BBC Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould believes The Friedkin Group will be keen on "stability" at Everton should their proposed takeover go through.
Speaking to The Football News Show, Bould also discussed the financial difficulties at the club and the chances of new signings in the transfer window.
Italian journalist and Roma fan Emanuele Giulianelli detailed Roma’s recruitment under The Friedkin Group to see if it will differ from Everton’s in recent years, which caused them to breach Premier League spending rules.
Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown tells the Football News Show that the "pressure is starting to mount" at Everton on Sean Dyche, but praised the manager for getting results "under adversity" since taking charge of the club.
Brown believes the Toffees' next two home games, against Newcastle United and Fulham, will be Dyche's chance to prove that he is the right man to lead the club under likely new owners.
Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown has been speaking to the Football News Show about the teams who have struggled to get points on the board so far.
Everton
"Sean Dyche understands the pressure. He is comfortable in his surroundings, he’s got broad shoulders but the pressure is starting to mount. The supporters are grumbling, but they need to try and relax.
"I think the next two home games [against Crystal Palace and Newcastle] are key."
Leicester City
"There is rumblings regarding the manager and the style he is going to have to try and play. It is a totally different ball game in the Premier League."
Wolves
"What is surprising everyone is how good Wolves were last season compared to their start this term. It was an incredible run from Gary O’Neil. He has lost players [over the summer] and I think he needed a bit more support in the transfer window. We can all see that he will be disappointed.
"They have a tough game against Liverpool next, so it does not get any easier."
West Ham
"Getting beat 5-1 by Liverpool is not a true reflection of them. Early on in the game they had several chances. Even into the second half when they were 2-1 down, there was a couple of good opportunities. They brought on Kudus, Paqueta and Antonio so there were several changes.
"But what was disappointing, is that they went down to 10 men with Alvarez having the second yellow card and then it was capitulation. That is what the manager did not need.
"They did not seem to have the gritty style what West Ham have had. Julen Lopetegui wants to be more attractive, more aggressive, at the top of the pitch and that is not coming to light at this moment in time. There is a lot of work to do and the pressure is mounting. West Ham fans wanted the change [of manager] but it is going to take him a little bit of time."
Image source, Getty ImagesManager Sean Dyche admits his Everton side need to "find a way" to win sooner rather than later, starting with Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace (15:00 BST).
Both the Blues and Palace go into the fixture still searching for their first victory in this season's Premier League and Dyche believes it would be "considerably favourable" if they could claim their first three points against another team yet to win.
"The importance of every game is quite obvious but there are some which you look at and think: 'That would be considerably favourable to get a win from'," he said.
"We are at that stage, after a tough start, of finding whatever way it is - whoever it is against - of winning and keep calm about the situation and deliver performances.
"We are still searching for that. I don't think it is helpful when you haven't got that edge of a killer instinct in both boxes.
"We've done that many times before here, coming through tough periods, and we are still coming out of a tough period but I think there are better signs."
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton’s Dwight McNeil has created more chances (20) and more big chances (six) than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.
Everton boss Sean Dyche spoke to the media before his side's Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday, reacting to the news of the club's potential takeover that was announced this week.
Image source, Getty ImagesThere has been a lot of conversation this week about "dark arts" in football following the draw between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday.
Realistically, everyone who has watched football for longer than one game has seen things they would perceive as "dark arts"; whether it is a player always going down winning free-kicks to take the sting out of the game, kicking the ball into row Z when there was no multi-ball system or time-wasting on goal-kicks.
These are things we see all the time but our perception of it is dependent on the context of a game. You always see some version of it somewhere, and you hope your team would be doing the same thing if in the same situation - because why should you do something that would benefit the opposition you are against?
It is the same as going down a bit more easily to win penalties - some people will say "this guy is a cheat", but then on the other side of their mouth, if it is something that could benefit them, they say "he has tried too hard to stay up, he needed to go down there".
You can have rulings, Ifab can get involved to change this and that, but there will always be a way to push the rules to their limits.
What we saw with Arsenal in that game, where David Raya sat down to get some treatment while the teams gathered, we have seen those moments before. It is not just new to Arsenal - other teams do it.
It is always based on certain moments. You do get more frustrated if it happens against you, but when you need to do it, you encourage people to do it. That is one of the beauties of football - the way you see things is always going to be down to perception, context and just whether you think it is benefiting you or not.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright
Sean Dyche has made it clear he wants to remain as Everton manager after the club's takeover and lead them into their new stadium. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist
Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the potential takeover: "There's a long way to go to get everything to a final stage but the early signs look favourable. It certainly looks like a stronger situation than the past."
When asked if he wants clarity on his own future: "I got brought here to do a specific job and I continue to work hard at that. The rest of it will sort itself out. We've got to change results - that's a given - but the actual workload and what I've done here has been considerable I think."
Dyche confirmed that Jarrad Branthwaite is fit and available for selection as well as Vitaliy Mykolenko. Seamus Coleman, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja and Nathan Patterson, however, will be a "bit longer" and remain out.
On the team struggling to defend set pieces: "Apart from the change in personnel through injuries and illness, the format has only had minor changes because we were so strong last season. We don't want to change too much. We want to stick with the basic principles but, in its simplest form, when the ball comes in the box, someone has to deal with that situation."
On whether there are any nerves in the team: "I don't think it's helpful when you don't have that edge of killer instinct and that's in both boxes. We've been working on that, trying to analyse it and bring it together but equally trying to allow the players the freedom. They have to enjoy the challenge that is right in front of them and we've done that many times before here."
On what he expects from the atmosphere at Goodison Park this weekend: "Inside the stadium, it's our job to bring that. It's certainly my job with the players to go and deliver a performance that can enhance some positivity. The fans have always been there for us. It's about giving them something to work with."
He recognises the value of getting a result against another side yet to win this season: "The importance of every game is obvious but there are some which you look at as considerably favourable to do so. We're at that stage at the minute where we have to find a way of winning. There has to be organisation but also a freedom. [There's a] fine line of being loose enough to play but focused enough to stay tight as a unit and making sure we defend properly and do the basics. We are still searching for that regardless of who we are playing."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOnly one place to start Sean Dyche's news conference today and that is the impending takeover.
But one difference this afternoon should be more positivity around it, rather than the usual uncertainty that has been spoken about over the last two years.
Dyche's future is something The Friedkin Group will need to address, with the boss into the final 12 months of his contract.
Will he be kept on or will they opt for a change?
It's not a done deal yet so there is still a need to urge caution, but all signs point to a celebratory conclusion.
On the pitch, Everton host Crystal Palace on Saturday, so will star man Jarrad Branthwaite be fit to be involved in the squad? How many of the other injured/ill players will return for the game?
It's a battle of two sides yet to win this season, so how does he see the game panning out?
Mike Richards
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother lead surrendered. Another weekend without a win, but the storm clouds have parted ever so slightly – if only until 17:00 on Saturday.
The traits we have seen from the previous four league games of the season were still evident at King Power Stadium on Saturday. However there are reasons to be optimistic.
I had to mention another impressive showing by Iliman Ndiaye. The summer signing from Marseille – so often compared to the gifted Steven Pienaar – has almost become the focus of our attacking play.
His first Premier League goal will naturally bring him into sight for those who do not regularly watch us, but his impact since his arrival has been noticeable.
Seeing a player capable of carrying the ball at pace, with impressive close control and an eye for goal is something we have been starved of for many years. Seeing how disjointed and lost we become as an attacking unit when he is substituted highlights further both his impact and our reliance on him.
Speaking of reliance, the weekend was capped off by the return of Jarrad Branthwaite for the under-21s. A welcome sight for all Evertonians given our defensive frailties this season.
There is an expectation that all our problems will be solved once he returns to first team action. Clearly, that is fantasy thinking, but it is not without its merit.
Branthwaite brings balance, calmness and stability to our defence. Last season's defensive success was built upon having the same two centre-halves for the vast majority of the season.
Up to now, that has been stripped away, only highlighting how talented he is and how much he is worth (take note Manchester United).
When the teamsheet drops on Saturday afternoon, every Evertonian will feel a whole lot lighter if number 32 is lining up alongside James Tarkowski.
Maybe then, the real Everton will emerge from the gloom.
Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images"Never dull."
"A new dawn."
"Hope."
Words and phrases Everton fans are all-too familiar with and which popped up again this week.
But could it actually happen this time? Is there really some light at the end of this dark tunnel?
All optimism about the future both on and off the pitch has been pinned on The Friedkin Group who, out of nowhere, agreed a deal to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri this week.
The Toffees and supporters have been here before with 777 Partners, but insiders feel this is different, with the the deal being hailed as "momentous".
I am told completion should be sealed in eight to 12 weeks, so Blues fans may be enjoying a nice Christmas present at the start of December,
The Friedkins' in-tray will be overflowing with issues to sort out - making sure of the club's Premier League survival, manager Sean Dyche's future, addressing a threadbare playing squad and completing the internal fit-out of the new stadium.
For far too long, talk around Everton has been around the ownership and finances - it is time to put that to bed with the hope that this giant of English football is finally waking up.
After years of misery, fans will not be celebrating just yet, but will be starting to crack a smile about the thought of good times returning.
As Julie Clarke, secretary of the fans’ advisory board, said: "It will be lovely to just be able to enjoy football again."
Quite right.
Prospective new owners the Friedkin Group want to bring in former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who left Lazio in March, as their new manager. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external
Manchester United remain interested in Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and will make another attempt to sign the 22-year-old England defender in 2025. (HITC), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Ian Kennedy
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAs weeks go, this one is turning into a good one for Everton fans.
The agreement between the club and the Friedkin Group has been met with much support and much relief. The takeover saga is finally moving towards its conclusion and in a way that will please just about everyone.
Assuming everything goes through as expected, Dan Friedkin will bring financial clout and a wealth of experience in football, having helped Roma to a European Conference League win in 2022.
The one thing everyone wants now is stability both on and off the pitch.
And as for matters on the field, the Blues got a decent point at Leicester and moved off the bottom of the table. That was psychologically important. On top of that, Iliman Ndiaye scored a great goal and has given the team an added spark. It means there are positives to take despite the lengthy injury and illness list.
Sometimes it just needs a draw to stem the tide. If they can use the "feel-good" factor from the takeover situation and carry it into the Crystal Palace game, it could just get them up and running. Palace are looking for their first victory too, so it would be a good one to win.
It should be a really good atmosphere at Goodison Park on Saturday.
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