Everton

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It feels like one step forward then two steps back again with Everton this season.

In one moment, there's fantastic wins on the road and talk of Europe. In the next home game, Everton manage to capitulate within eight minutes.

With only three wins since the opener in August at Hill Dickinson stadium, home form - to put it plainly - is a real issue. Worryingly, it feels like a psychological block is developing among both players and fans.

Realistically, what's happening to Everton is exactly what they're doing to other teams on the road.

Fulham should have been at least three goals up at half-time. Though deserved, taking a point in the 97th minute at Brighton involves a lot of luck.

Everton have been punished at home - brutally and quickly.

As soon as the other team score, there's a real feel of trepidation across the fans and the players.

Scoring first is becoming critical. Once the other side beds in, Everton really struggle to turn things around.

The pitch is five metres longer than Goodison Park, and David Moyes has persisted with James Tarkowski and Michael Keane at centre-half this season.

They don't have the pace Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien do, and statistics prove Everton perform better when either is not being shoehorned in at left or right-back.

The stadium has also been made deliberately steep to create an intimidating atmosphere, but it seems to be providing the advantage to the away fans once they get their noses in front.

The place is beginning to feel fragile.

Though home form at Goodison Park was not up to much in the past few years, it doesn't feel like it ever earned that label because of the history and success of the years behind it.

Until it starts to feel really like Goodison once did - intense, hostile and unmistakably ours - progression will lack real consistency.

Everton, Leeds, Tottenham and Manchester United will continue to monitor Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, 23, before the summer transfer window. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Everton plan to make another move for Wales winger Harry Wilson, 28, in the summer having had an approach rebuffed by Fulham in the January transfer window. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

On The Wayne Rooney Show this week, the former Everton striker exchanges tales with a player he looked up to early in his career, former Toffee Francis Jeffers. Rooney's brother John also has plenty to say before his Macclesfield side take on Brentford in the FA Cup.

Jeffers - assistant to John Rooney at Macclesfield - says Brentford will "100%" show more respect for The Silkmen than Crystal Palace did when they were humbled in round three.

Jeffers said: "The backroom staff at our place, the people in the office are already telling us, Brentford want to bring the team, squad of players, to look at the pitch at 12 o'clock that day. So, you know, they don't want to get there and be surprised like Palace, so, like you said, that giant killing now has sort of made Brentford wake up and go, listen, we're not going there and we're not going to allow that to happen.

"But we have to just allow our lads to enjoy it. It's an unbelievable occasion, we said that to them in the last round didn't we? Lads you know, I actually said to them, thank you very much for where you've took us here, by the way, because I've had some great days in football as a player.

"That's probably one of the best days I've ever, ever had. And that was all down to the lads and I thanked them. And I'll be saying the same to them. You know, after John gives his team talk, you know, I'll be saying to the lads, thanks. Make sure you go out and enjoy the occasion. And what will be, will be. No one's expecting us to win. But, you know, there might be a little element of surprise because we've done it before.

"I think our lads might quietly fancy having a right go at Brentford."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

On The Wayne Rooney Show this week, the former Everton striker exchanges tales with a player he looked up to early in his career, former Toffee Francis Jeffers. Rooney's brother John also has plenty to say before his Macclesfield side take on Brentford in the FA Cup.

Jeffers told the BBC Sounds podcast: "We grew up in same area, in Crocky (Croxteth). Everyone knows everyone, so I'm a bit older than the lads, obviously, but we were all aspiring young footballers at one time. I used to hear Wayne's name a lot when I was coming through at Everton. And, obviously, I went back there on loan when he broke through and he was a superstar and I spent a lot of time with him.

"I used to come across Wayne a lot in Crocky, robbing milk off doorsteps. And I'd be driving into training, and I'd have to put the window down and say, put that back!

"I used to bevy in the boozer called the Western and John and Wayne had come in with their brother Graham, with their dad after Everton games and if I'd had a good game I might have got a high 5 off his dad. That was the way it was, that was how we grew up."

Rooney told his podcast listeners: "Everyone used to come there, the Western, after the game, I remember we went in there, after we played Man City, and Schmeichel was in goal for Man City.

"I think it was my godfather, actually. I swapped shirts with Schmeichel, and he had the top on, you had one fella kicking a pretend ball taking a penalty kick and he's diving all over the place in the Schmeichel shirt. It was a mad place, it was a boss place obviously. Everyone used to go there after the games and have a good time, especially if you win.

"Franny was who I looked up to really, obviously being from Crocky. He got into Everton's first team, so watching him, he was someone who I wanted to emulate and go and to try and do the same thing.

"We obviously made our England debut together. Franny's got the best record in England's history, haven't you? One in 45 mins? One in a half a game?

"It was great, obviously, for the two of us, two lads from Crocky, from the same school - De la Salle - to make our England debut together was a special moment for the area."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Toffee TV and ToffeeWeb contributor Patric Ridge reacts to Everton's 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

He also talks about David Moyes.

Manchester United are the frontrunners among a number of clubs who will try to sign Everton's 25-year-old Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye this summer. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Everton and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Harry: I watched David Moyes football for 11 years and was bored off my head, now I have to watch dithering Dave football again! It's just not good enough. We know some players are not up to the job but this is the best squad we have had in years and they don't know what they are supposed to do. What kind of football are we playing? The supporters are fed up.

Percy: Disappointing at home again. Left-back and striker still a weakness. Any idea why Patterson does not play? We all want Barry to succeed but he's clearly a long-term development prospect. We played better with 10 men on the pitch. A decent season in comparison to previous years and looking up rather than down, which is great. But now it's how to cement a place in the top half and put in more complete 90-minute performances. Easier said than done in this league.

Stuart: Story of our season in this game. Poor at home, don't take our chances, can't defend from full-back positions and a stupid red card. So frustrating.

Tony: Poor team selection cost us again. With a centre-half playing at right-back and getting sent off while we have a right-back unused, sitting on the bench. We and Bournemouth got what was deserved. I don't agree with the new stadium narrative.

Bournemouth fans

James: We deserved the win overall despite not playing well. Everton didn't turn up until the last 20 minutes, ironically after going down to 10 men. One of the seasons' success stories is James Hill stepping into the defensive void left in the summer. The £1m signing from Fleetwood is keeping his place above some expensive signings. Jimenez too played well as he always does. Another three points. Up the Cherries!

Drew: Gutsy performance in front of a baying crowd - showed real quality and took well deserved three points. What a player Hill is!

Tim: Nobody deserved that Player of the Match more than James Hill. He fought for his place in this team and each match proves why he deserves to stay in it. Our defensive displays give me hope; a stark contrast to the beginning of the season when Diakite was struggling to find his feet. That Brentford defeat was the turning point.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton captain James Tarkowski has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about their 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth.

The Toffees led at half-time through Iliman Ndiaye's penalty, but conceded twice in three minutes in the second half - and then had Jake O'Brien sent off.

"We had a couple of chances to put the game to bed and didn't do that and got punished," said Tarkowski.

"Away from home we can defend our goal brilliantly and keep clean sheets, but for some reason at home we can't do that as well.

"We conceded two from pretty much nothing. Very disappointing. It feels a bit rubbish."

Asked whether their early FA Cup exit giving them a break in fixtures now might be a good thing, the 33-year-old said: "I'm really disappointed about the FA Cup.

"I'm running out of opportunities to win the FA Cup or at least get far in the competition. Every year I hope to do well in the FA Cup so to be out of that is disappointing, but the positive is we can recover well before the next game."

Listen to the full interview - and David Moyes' thoughts - here

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Adapting to a new home after spending 133 years at Goodison Park was never going to be easy, but Everton's settling-in period at Hill Dickinson Stadium is taking longer than most expected.

David Moyes' side began well enough, winning two and drawing two of their first four, but are now winless in their last five home league games.

Before kick-off the Toffees boss said he would like his side to replicate their impressive away performances in front of their home fans, and for a time they did.

If Barry's glaring first-half miss let Bournemouth off the hook, then the Cherries had goalkeeper Petrovic to thank for clawing Ndiaye's back post effort off the line and onto the woodwork.

Superb goalmouth blocks denied Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Barry early in the second half, before Everton's night fell apart in the space of eight minutes.

The ease with which Bournemouth twice opened up Everton – having created little beforehand – should concern Moyes, more so than O'Brien's avoidable red card.

The defender felt he had to try and stop Adli racing onto a through-ball in behind, and even though he was still more than 30 yards from goal, he was the last man.

Everton manager David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day about Jake O'Brien's red card: "I've not got a view. The referee has made his decision and he has chose to give him a red card. We probably put more pressure on with 10 men than we did with 11. It's the referee's decision, he makes them.

On whether it is a disappointing result: "No, the players here are doing fantastically well but we are disappointed because it is a game that we could have won and we didn't. We had a couple of opportunities to make it 2-0 or 3-0 at one point and we didn't take them so you get punished when you don't do that."

On whether Thierno Barry was hurting over his missed chances: "I'm sure he is yeah. He scored us a few goals but he had a couple tonight where he probably could have done better."

Hear more from Moyes and also from James Tarkowski on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• All five of Iliman Ndiaye's Premier League goals this season have either put Everton in the lead (4) or drawn them level (1).

• Only Chelsea (5) have been shown more Premier League red cards than Everton (4) this season, with the Toffees extending their unwanted record of having the most dismissals of any side in the competition's history (113).

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 Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

David Moyes makes two changes to the Everton side that came from behind to beat Fulham on Saturday.

Jarrod Branthwaite makes his first home league start of the season in place of Michael Keane, while Tyrique George makes his home debut in place of Harrison Armstrong.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski (c), Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry.

Subs: Patterson, Beto, Keane, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Travers, Dibling, Alcaraz, Rohl.

Image source, Premier League

There are two changes for Bournemouth after Andoni Iraola's side drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.

Ryan Christie and Alex Toth come into the side, with Lewis Cook and top scorer Junior Kroupi dropping to the bench.

Tyler Adams is named among the substitutes after almost two months out with a knee injury.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Toth, Christie (c), Adli, Rayan, Evanilson.

Subs: Brooks, Kroupi, Cook, Smith, Unal, Diakite, Mandas, Milosavljevic, Adams.

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

• Chelsea v Leeds

• Everton v Bournemouth

• Tottenham v Newcastle

• West Ham v Manchester United (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And listen to Around The Grounds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00

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

Mike Richards
Fan writer

To even be considered as potentially qualifying for one of the three European competitions next season, is somewhat miraculous - but is nevertheless an aim as we enter the final third of the season.

After yet another away win – which is becoming something of the Everton norm – Evertonians have already started to dig out their tin of polish, just in case dusty passports need a Spring clean in the near future.

David Moyes and the players deserve immense credit - regardless of whether the European dream can be achieved this season or not.

There's an obvious resilience that runs through the squad.

Whether it be coming from behind to pick up a point or three, or battling through a severe injury crisis to stay on the coat tails of other European chasing teams, a strong backbone has formed at our club.

On that basis, I find it somewhat mystifying that Moyes appears to have become somewhat of a target of dissenting voices recently.

No manager is perfect and differences in opinions relating to team selection can understandably spark healthy debate - but there appears to be a minority who feel compelled to berate the manager at every turn.

This sometimes spills into calls for Moyes to be removed from his managerial role. It's absolutely baffling.

A club in transition, we are understandably inconsistent, but competitive. We are able to enjoy a season without the anxiety of looking over our shoulder.

There's an obsession from some that this version of Everton is settling for mediocrity. I'd argue it's the first building block of a bright and beautiful future.

Patience is a virtue and sadly common sense is a flower that doesn't grow in everyone's garden.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Tuesday night's encounter between Everton and Bournemouth sees two of the Premier League's form sides - both unbeaten in their last five - meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton have lost just once since Christmas, a run that has coincided with striker Thierno Barry finding his shooting boots. The former France Under-21 international found the net just once in his first 20 appearances for the Toffees following a £27m move from Villarreal but has shown his worth recently with four in his last eight – only three players have scored more since Christmas.

Another summer signing enjoying something of a purple patch is midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who also has four goals in his last eight league appearances, as many as he scored in his first 82 games in the division.

Fine margins for Moyes' men

David Moyes' side, currently in eighth position with faint hopes of a push for the European spots, could perhaps have done with a little more luck to turn some of their recent draws into wins.

They've hit the woodwork 11 times in the league this season, with only Manchester United (18) and Newcastle (14) doing so more often. Indeed, Everton have hit the bar or the post in four of their last five league games.

Everton's home form has been consistently inconsistent this season, with four wins, four draws and four losses at their new stadium. A 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium in December means they are looking to complete the league double over Bournemouth for the very first time.

Moyes also has a strong record against this opposition, with five wins and four draws in his 10 top-flight meetings with the Cherries - among sides he's faced 10 or more times in the competition, he has only lost a lower percentage against Sunderland and Birmingham City.

Cherries on the climb

Only Manchester United and Chelsea can boast a better points tally in the last five games than Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, who have moved from 15th to 11th place since the turn of the year.

Teenage forward Rayan, a £24.7m January arrival from Vasco da Gama, has made an immediate impact. The Brazil Under-20 international followed up an assist for Alex Scott on his debut with the equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, making him the youngest South American to register goal involvements in each of his first two Premier League appearances.

Iraola's fresh-faced team – all three of Bournemouth's youngest-ever top-flight starting XIs have come in the past five months – have been playing with an energy recently that has resulted in three stoppage-time goals since January.

Trips to Merseyside have not proven fruitful for the Cherries though, with just two wins in a combined 17 league visits to Everton and Liverpool. Troublingly for Iraola, not one of those games has seen them keep a clean sheet.

The long midweek trip north from the Dorset coast could also take its toll on Bournemouth; they've won just one of their last eight league games to take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, though that victory did come in their last such match against Spurs in January.

Everton did well to fight back to beat Fulham late on at the weekend, but they could have been more than just a goal down at the break, while Bournemouth were unlucky only to draw with Aston Villa. They peppered Villa's goal with shots.

I am going to go a bit left-field here because although Everton beat Bournemouth earlier in the season, it was only thanks to a late deflected effort by Jack Grealish.

I usually back Everton at home, and I'm usually wrong... so I am going to do something different this time. I am backing Bournemouth to pinch it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Manchester United will target Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye if Marcus Rashford moves to Barcelona in a permanent deal. (Caught Offside), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport