Everton

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

If you can't win, don't lose. It was definitely one point gained, rather than two points dropped when Everton came from behind twice at Brentford. The resilience of this team is paying off, with the Toffees still on the hunt for European football.

It comes off the back of a turbulent week for the club with the announcement of increases to season ticket prices. This was met with widespread criticism.

However, it isn't just an Everton problem, it's a football problem with similar protests at our Merseyside neighbours. The game, particularly in the Premier League, doesn't feel geared towards the dedicated season ticket holder, there rain or shine, home and away.

At Everton there's an extremely difficult balance to be met.

On the one hand the new ownership must put the recent past behind them, to move forward and become a more prosperous and stable football club. That inevitably means Everton needs to become a thriving business. If it wants to challenge with the higher echelons of the Premier League, unfortunately that means they need more irregular visitors through the door who will part more freely with their money.

But Everton at its heart has a working-class, loyal fanbase, who live by the motto "nil satis nisi optimum" - i.e. nothing but the best is good enough. This also translates to their utter devotion to this football club.

For many to now feel priced out of a sport they love feels like a punch to the gut, particularly after the part they have played the last few seasons rallying the team out of relegation.

Progress in modern football so often comes at a cost and more often than not, that cost is felt most by those who have given the most for the least.

Everton must not forget its foundation as the people's club.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator and senior football reporter Ian Dennis speaking on The Commentators' View podcast about protests against ticket-price increases: "We've got to be very, very careful that, and this isn't just at Liverpool, but there are a lot of Premier League clubs that are going down the road of trying to tap in to the tourist fan, those that just come over for the weekend.

"From a commercial point of view, I can see the value of it, but I think from a football point of view, where football matters most, and that comes from the soul, then I think it's really worrying because you can't ignore your loyal match-going fan. You can't show them the sort of like disdain that some owners are looking to try and do and it has a knock-on effect as well with the atmospheres.

"The atmospheres are not as good as they used to be because you're now getting supporters who are just coming in for the experience and don't ignore your loyal, hard-working, hard-paying, match-going supporter that has followed that club with devotion year after year, season after season, through the good times and the bad times they've been there no matter what and I think we can't ignore the supporters.

"That's why when they had the campaign about 20s plenty I'm fully behind the supporters' initiatives to try and say 'no we're the ones that matter', not not the ones who are flying in from abroad for a weekend away with a group of supporters.

"It's the supporters then who will pay the hard money will follow their team home and away, come what may."

Listen to The Commentators' View

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

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Tom: Brentford played well but the squad is looking a little thin now. We're so close to being a really good team. I hope we can keep hold of Igor Thiago and Michael Kayode and add two or three decent first-team players next season, then I think we'll really be in the European race. This year is probably one season too soon.

Gabe: No more late goals, my heart can't cope.

Nigel: Poor from the Bees. To give possession away needlessly with 90 seconds left was pure, but avoidable, naivety. It happens a lot and we don't learn. We left far too many gaps for Everton to exploit. Their equaliser in the 91st minute was no surprise. Our squad is down to bare bones. Not sure if we have anything left to secure European berth.

Dave: When will the Bees ever learn how to hold on to a lead? Stupid mistakes cost us another game.

Everton fans

Ifan: As my late dad said, "an away draw is always a good result", and I'll always stand by that. Well done Everton!

Paul: Probably a fair result overall. Not Everton's best away performance by any stretch. But spirit to score a late winner shows the fight in the squad.

Colin: Once again, great resilience and determination from the players who respond well to everything David Moyes asks of them. It's such a relief to be in the position we're in today compared to the past few years.

Kenneth: A hard-won point. European football still on.

Chris Wise
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Another Premier League weekend, another eye-catching performance from Everton's James Garner.

The midfielder has really honed his capacity to be a presence between both boxes this season. There's no doubt that he's stepped up a level over the past nine months.

I remember speaking to him for Match of the Day only a few weeks ago before he got his first England call up. He said that if you'd have asked him last summer, he'd have told you that he was nowhere near being in the national team squad.

But Garner is now in the frame to be in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, particularly having impressed during the March internationals when others perhaps didn't.

He's timed this run of form beautifully. But there are midfielders in the England squad that already have their place locked down. Garner's focus for now will be on getting Everton into Europe, and then - all being well - he can start thinking about something more global this summer.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 2-2 Everton

• Burnley 0-2 Brighton

• Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator and senior football reporter Ian Dennis speaking on The Commentators' View podcast about protests against ticket-price increases: "We've got to be very, very careful that, and this isn't just at Liverpool, but there are a lot of Premier League clubs that are going down the road of trying to tap in to the tourist fan, those that just come over for the weekend.

"From a commercial point of view, I can see the value of it, but I think from a football point of view, where football matters most, and that comes from the soul, then I think it's really worrying because you can't ignore your loyal match-going fan. You can't show them the sort of like disdain that some owners are looking to try and do and it has a knock-on effect as well with the atmospheres.

"The atmospheres are not as good as they used to be because you're now getting supporters who are just coming in for the experience and don't ignore your loyal, hard-working, hard-paying, match-going supporter that has followed that club with devotion year after year, season after season, through the good times and the bad times they've been there no matter what and I think we can't ignore the supporters.

"That's why when they had the campaign about 20s plenty I'm fully behind the supporters' initiatives to try and say 'no we're the ones that matter', not not the ones who are flying in from abroad for a weekend away with a group of supporters.

"It's the supporters then who will pay the hard money will follow their team home and away, come what may."

Listen to The Commentators' View

Everton manager David Moyes speaking to Sky Sports after his side's draw at Brentford: "We've got to keep going and the players are showing that at the moment. Today was a difficult game which we knew it would be. We were resilient enough to pick up a point in the end.

"The second half especially Brentford got on top but we worked our way back into it. Their second goal was unfortunate from our side. Brentford put us under pressure before we got the goal.

"The players are - not used to it - but away from home we've been resilient and we want to keep that going."

"Better to be in this position - rather that than be fighting round the bottom end of the league. We want the players to enjoy it and see how they do in this position. It's a test for them as well, can we win the games. We only have to win a few in the run in. Another difficult away game today so we'll take the point."

On facing Liverpool next week: "We'll get ready for it. We have to play all the games, six to go and next is Liverpool. It will be a brilliant game for the Evertonians. We'll all be looking forward to it. We're in a much healthier position than we have been for many years so hopefully we can go to the game and do the best we can."

Everton goal-scorer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a bit of a rollercoaster game. We knew it would be a tough game. They have strengths that they play to well. Maybe a draw is a fair result. The fact we came from behind twice shows the mentality of the lads - we never give up, ever. Nice to score a late goal and at least take something away from it."

On his goal: "I saw it go over my head from the cross and I thought let me just get in there in case something comes. I'm happy I scored because I should've scored 20 minutes before which I was disappointed with.

"Cliche as it is, if you don't win try not to lose and we did that. Pleasing to react from going behind twice. That could be a massive point at the end of the season. A massive game next week and let's try and get another good result."

Did early goal shock you? "100% - all week we have been practising dealing with their threat. We didn't start on it and they punished us. We managed to get back into it and that shows it didn't affect us. Heads might have gone down but we've come a long way. Big couple of games to come."

On Beto goal: "Look at Brentford's striker this season, the amount of goals he's scored, and that is unbelievable for a team that is not expected to finish high. His goals are putting them in a position to do well. If our strikers can do that then we know we have a good chance of getting the points."

You can hear more from David Moyes and James Tarkowski on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has scored 7 goals in the Premier League this season, no Everton player has more.

• Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been directly involved in 10 goals in the Premier League this season, two more goal involvements than across his three previous seasons in the competition combined.

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This Everton fightback was vintage David Moyes.

They may have shown more pragmatism than their travelling supporters would have preferred in London, but it was a savvy approach against a Brentford side that posed a serious threat on the counter-attack.

Moyes' players rolled up their sleeves and demonstrated the resilience and opportunism required to keep their European hopes alive.

The stakes were high in what felt like a genuine six-pointer, and defeat would have been a setback.

Instead, they remain firmly in the mix, with confidence intact heading into next Sunday's pivotal Merseyside derby.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall embodied that spirit, continuing his emergence as a key figure under Moyes.

The 27-year-old's late equaliser took him to 10 direct goal involvements this season - seven goals and three assists.

That is two more than his previous three campaigns in the competition combined, when he registered three goals and five assists in 72 appearances.

There are still areas for concern, however.

Jordan Pickford needs to rediscover his composure. Since joining Everton in 2017, only Jose Sa has conceded more Premier League penalties than Pickford's six.

The immediate reaction of Jarrad Branthwaite, who berated his goalkeeper following the foul on Kevin Schade to give away the spot-kick, spoke volumes.

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

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Brentford boss Keith Andrews makes two changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Leeds in their last Premier League outing.

Dango Ouattara and Mikkel Damsgaard are both recalled to the starting line-up for the visit of the Merseyside club.

Jordan Henderson and Ethan Pinnock the players to miss out for the Bees.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Lewis-Potter, Collins, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Damsgaard, Ouattara, Thiago

Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Nelson, Ajer, Donovan, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson, Owen

David Moyes sticks with 10 of the Everton players who were part of the side which claimed a 3-0 home win over Chelsea last time out.

The only change to the side is in defence with Jarrad Branthwaite preferred to Michael Keane, who drops to the bench.

Striker Thierno Barry and Tyrique George are also named among the Everton subs.

Everton XI: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Garner, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil, Beto

Subs: Travers, Patterson, Keane, Barry, George, Dibling, Coleman, Rohl, Iroegbunam

Image source, BBC Sport

Now we know that fifth place gets you into next season's Champions League, both of these teams must be thinking they have got a chance.

They are level on 46 points in seventh and eighth, and the way the teams immediately above them, Liverpool and Chelsea, are playing then you don't feel it is beyond Brentford or Everton to catch them.

Who would have thought last summer that there was the possibility of Everton finishing above Liverpool this season? It could happen though, and next weekend's Merseyside derby is going to be very interesting.

Everton have to go to west London first, though. I was horribly wrong when I predicted the reverse of this game at Hill Dickinson Stadium in January. I went for a 1-0 Toffees win and the Bees won 4-2.

This time? It will be a lot closer. Yes, I know I am sitting on the fence but there is a predictions title at stake for me here, so I am going to follow form and say Brentford will get their fourth draw in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (12:30)

• Brentford v Everton (15:00) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Burnley v Brighton (15:00) - Listen on Sports Extra 2

• Liverpool v Fulham (17:30) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times BST

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 Brentford v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Fulham".

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

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford host Everton on Saturday afternoon with both teams targeting European football next season.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford and Everton are currently locked on 46 points in the Premier League table – currently three points off the Champions League place of fifth – with the Bees a place ahead on goal difference in seventh.

Brentford were convincing winners when they travelled to Merseyside in January, running out 4-2 victors to end a six-game winless run against the Toffees in the Premier League.

Keith Andrews side have lost just once in their eight most recent league outings although they've only won one of the past six.

Draws have instead been the order of the day, with Brentford facing the prospect of four in a row for the first time as a Premier League side.

A goal from striker Igor Thiago may be needed if Brentford are to get back to winning ways. He needs just one more to tie the club Premier League record of 20 in a single season, currently held by Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.

Thiago scored a hat-trick against Everton earlier this season and the superlative form of such a standout striker may be the cause of some envy in the visitor's dugout.

Everton are enjoying a resurgent season of their own as they also target European qualification, although the Toffees have done so largely without the services of a top-level striker.

Thierno Barry has improved over the course of the campaign while Beto's performance in scoring two goals in the win against Chelsea last time out was hailed as his best showing in an Everton shirt by manager David Moyes, but Everton's two centre forwards have still only totalled 12 league goals between them in comparison to Thiago's 19.

Everton have still found a way to shrug off recent relegation battles and financial difficulties to pursue Moyes' goal of a European place - only Arsenal and Manchester United have amassed more points than Everton's 21 since matchday 19.

The 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on 14 March was a first away from home for the Toffees in 2026 but their form on the road has generally been excellent.

They have picked up 41 points in away games since Moyes returned to the club in January 2025, second only to the Gunners, winning four of the past six.

If Everton are to avenge their comprehensive loss to Brentford three months ago, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could once again be key.

Pickford made one of the saves of the season, external to earn Everton their most recent away victory at Newcastle in February and, based on expected goals on target, the 32-year-old has prevented 24 since the start of 2022-23 – nine more than any other Premier League keeper.

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brentford at the Gtec Community Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes confirmed he has "just about" a fully fit squad. Charly Alcaraz is back in early training but is not available for the game, however, he is "getting close" to being fit again.

• On the prospect of securing European football this season, the Toffees boss said: "I don't know how we're going to finish but if you would have given me this position at the start of the season I'd have said 'thanks very much, I'll shake your hand' and hopefully we can keep it going. If you really want to get the big prizes, you have got to win your games at the right time at the end of the season. We've started well with the couple of games recently. We have to try and keep that form and momentum going."

• Moyes admitted "the word Champions League probably makes me shake a wee bit at the thought of that" and he believes it's "a completely different thing to talk about" than European competition as a whole.

• The Everton head coach was also cautious about getting "too caught up" in the talk and added: "We'd hate to disappoint everybody, and there's talk about it, but I do want to talk about it because this club, all the supporters have suffered so much. I think the thought of getting them back into Europe makes me think it would be fantastic for the support here, the club and everything they've been through recently."

• He said he is "driving it with the players" and they are key to the upturn in the club's fortunes: "The players here have turned themselves around. Some of the players, maybe just over a year ago, you might have not considered that level and now are playing really well."

• Being back at the club has been "a great time" so far for Moyes and his family. He added: "I've really enjoyed it because the players have done great."

• On forward Beto's form: "I always hoped he would get that bit of luck. Good fortune sometimes that strikers need to get the goals to give them the confidence. He's just beginning to hopefully run into a bit of form. He scored the goals in the second half of the season last year so we're hoping that he can continue that."

• Moyes said they have not made a decision about the long-term future of injured Jack Grealish at the club and they need to "see how the healing goes" from his operation. He did admit the loanee has "played a big part" in getting them to the position they are in.

Hear David Moyes' press conference in full on BBC Sounds

Listen to Brentford v Everton on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:55 BST on Saturday

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

Got a question about Everton? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as an Everton fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: LLWWLW

The next three league fixtures are: Brentford (a), Liverpool (h) and West Ham (a)

Let us know how you're feeling here

Everton supporter and The Blue Room's Les Roberts says he wants to see Jack Grealish stay at the club but on the right terms.

Roberts told BBC Radio Merseyside: "If we could get him on another loan deal and basically do what we did with Gareth Barry, get him for free at the end of that, I think that's a bit of a no-brainer.

"He's obviously keen to stay at Everton. He's really taken to the crowd, the crowd have taken to him and it's unusual to get that straight away with a player.

"When that happens it's one of those things, you can't buy that, it's an organic thing so to have that happen with a player, I probably would want him to stay but on the right terms."

Listen in full below or on BBC Sounds here

Everton are not expected to trigger the £50m purchase option for England winger Jack Grealish contained in the loan deal with Manchester City, but the club are confident a new agreement can be reached for the 30-year-old to stay on Merseyside. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will have at least five teams in the Champions League next season after securing a European Performance Spot for the second straight year.

The extra place was confirmed on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Uefa awards an additional place to the two leagues with the best overall performance across the three European competitions.

The race for fifth place in the Premier League, currently held by Liverpool on 49 points, is exceptionally tight.

Just seven points separate Arne Slot's side from 13th-placed Bournemouth.

Chelsea (48) sit in sixth followed by Brentford (46), Everton (46), Fulham (44), Brighton (43), Sunderland (43), Newcastle (42) and Bournemouth (42).

If Aston Villa, who are fourth on 54 points, win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the Premier League would have six teams in the Champions League.

The same logic applies to Liverpool, who face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

If either win a European trophy and finish fifth, then sixth would qualify for the Champions League via the EPS place.

If both win European trophies and finish fifth and sixth, that would put seventh into the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They could emulate Tottenham by winning the competition and finishing in the bottom half of the table.

Just like last season, that would create a sixth team in the Champions League for the Premier League too.

Image source, Getty Images

With seven games of the Premier League season to go, Everton are among the sides vying for a European spot.

The Toffees are only behind seventh-placed Brentford on goal difference and face the Bees in London on Saturday (15:00 BST).

If they are to achieve that aim of European qualification, England duo Jordan Pickford and James Garner - the only two players to have started every top-flight game for Everton this season - will no doubt be key.

Statisticians Opta say that in terms of expected goals on target compared to goals conceded, Pickford has prevented more goals (6.1) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, that number is 24.1, which is nine more than any other top-flight keeper during the same period.

Meanwhile, midfielder Garner has been one of the Toffees' most consistent performers this campaign, ranking second in the Premier League this season for both tackles made (93) and interceptions (50). He also has six assists.

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

No more breaks. No more international distractions for the players. A huge seven games remain and we are all wondering whether we grab a fantastic opportunity to cap off a season of relative calm.

I have spoken countless times over the course of the past few months about European football and what it could mean for the club. The fear of it being too soon was certainly in my thinking a short while ago, whereas now the excitement of what it may offer has overtaken any concern.

Since David Moyes' arrival at the club 15 months ago, he has reminded the current crop of players that Everton is a club that belongs in Europe and once our relegation concerns of last season were dealt with, that was the aim.

It is refreshing to know the days of suffering are long behind us and the manager is well aware of where we expect our football club to be.

Our final seven games are tough and none more so than this weekend's trip to fellow European dreamers Brentford. Only above us on goal difference, the game may go a long way to deciding both clubs' final league position.

It feels like a 'dare not lose' game, simply from a momentum and confidence perspective.

Beyond that is the small prospect of the inaugural Merseyside derby at our new home. Given Liverpool's disastrous title defence, there is a real prospect that we will be battling with them for league supremacy come the end of the season.

It is a mouth-watering end of the season for all the right reasons at last. Where we finish and what we achieve remains to be seen. One thing is for sure - it is much more enjoyable than the anxiety of recent seasons.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external