Everton

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes confirmed Jack Grealish is likely to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury: "We believe Jack Grealish is probably going to need surgery. That's still not absolutely confirmed, but it probably rules him out for the rest of the season."

• Asked if it would be too early to consider on-loan Grealish's future with Everton beyond the end of his loan spell, he added: "Far too early."

• Providing a fitness update on the rest of his squad, Moyes said: "Good, [we've got] Michael Keane back, we've got Jarrad Branthwaite, who played 45 minutes, Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] back. We're still waiting a little bit on Charly Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam but they're all certainly getting much closer."

• On potential incomings before Monday's deadline: "I'd like to say we're out there looking and I think I've said in every press conference – we're certainly looking and it's not that we're shying away from it. I would say it's probably less likely than likely."

• Targeting a right-back?: "We've been actively looking for a right-back for over a year but I think when Patto [Nathan Patterson] has come in he hasn't let us down."

• On potential departures: "People might, yes, but at the moment, we're not planning to – but they may well do."

• Asked about Harrison Armstrong, who could rejoin Preston on loan for the remainder of the campaign, Moyes said: "I certainly won't make a decision until after Brighton. I'm in regular contact with Peter Ridsdale and Paul Heckingbottom at Preston – I'm on the phone to them every couple of days about it. We'll wait and see how things go but he's not looked out of place in the Premier League. That's the biggest compliment I could give Harrison, that's for sure."

• On James Garner's recent performances: "I think Jimmy has stepped up more this year, wants to take more responsibility and is playing with confidence. I am really pleased with Jimmy."

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

Hear more from Moyes on BBC Sounds

Listen to full live commentary of Brighton v Everton on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Ask us questions about Everton and we'll put them to our experts

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

James Garner should have been sent off in Everton's 1-0 win at Aston Villa on 18 January, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has said.

Garner, who was already on a caution, chased Morgan Rogers from midfield and pushed the Villa player in the back as he reached the edge of the penalty area.

Referee Tony Harrington did not award a free-kick but the KMI Panel unanimously voted that a foul should have been given and Garner shown a second yellow card.

It said Garner's actions were "a clear two-handed push into the back" which warranted "a second caution for a clear tactical foul".

The incident came in the 57th minute and Everton scored the only goal of the game two minutes later through Thierno Barry.

It is the second time in a matter of weeks that Villa have lost a game where their opponents should have been reduced to 10 men.

The KMI Panel also said that Arsenal's Mikel Merino should have received two bookings in Villa's 4-1 loss at the Emirates on 30 December.

The decision to rule out Jake O'Brien's goal against Villa for an offside offence by Harrison Armstrong was supported, 4:1.

Armstrong had jumped to try to head the ball but failed to make contact, with the assistant raising his flag to disallow it.

The KMI Panel said that "Armstrong is close to the ball and clearly impacts an opponent".

Image source, Getty Images

Everton are unbeaten in four games and slowly building momentum as they head into the final part of the Premier League season.

Although David Moyes' side have picked up three consecutive draws in the league, only three points separate them from Merseyside neighbours Liverpool, who sit in sixth position.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says Everton have their sights on the European places.

"This is a mad league this year. We want to be in the European spots and we have got a lot of important games," said the midfielder.

Moyes' men are now on the road for two consecutive Premier League weekends as they travel to Brighton and then Fulham.

But, Dewsbury-Hall remains positive, as past victories over the two sides have put the team in good stead.

"We are playing a lot of teams that we have played and beaten," he added.

"It is down to us now, and it is on us. If we want to achieve something we have to show it."

Listen to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's full interview with BBC Radio Merseyside

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another opportunity granted and another opportunity missed. The inconsistency of Everton's season continued again on Monday night at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The first-half performance especially was glaringly lacklustre and overwhelmingly dull, with only the returning Iliman Ndiaye offering up any kind of performance.

It took a formation change and introduction of real quality to proceedings for Everton to get a foothold in the game from the first minute of the second half.

Seeing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back in the royal blue shirt was a welcomed sight. Although clearly a bit rusty, his attitude and elevated ability lifted both the crowd and those around him.

It was another returning player that really stood out though – and how we've missed him.

Not seen since the pre-season friendly against Roma, Jarrad Branthwaite trotted onto the pitch for the second half and it was like he'd never been away.

Not only did his calming presence steady the newly formed back three, his superior footballing ability was evident for all to see.

Keen to get Everton playing on the front foot, he picked out numerous midfield and defence splitting passes to force Leeds to retreat - allowing us to grab a deserved equaliser through the in-form Thierno Barry.

You often forget what you have until a player of his importance returns from a long injury absence.

He possesses all the attributes a modern day centre-half needs. He's probably as close to a peak John Stones as you can get, with plenty of years ahead of him.

With the World Cup only a matter of months away, Thomas Tuchel would do well to pay Branthwaite some attention.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

After failing to score with any of his first 15 shots in the Premier League this season, Thierno Barry has since scored with five of his last 10 efforts in the competition.

The French forward has found his form in the Premier League, but ex-Everton striker Jermaine Beckford expects to see more from the 23-year-old.

"He is getting into some decent form, but if you watch his movement in all the games he is playing, he should easily be on double [figures]," Beckford told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Since the start of December 2025, only Ollie Watkins (7), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7) and Erling Haaland (6) have scored more Premier League goals than Barry's five.

"He didn't look a threat in front of goal," added Beckford. "I know he scored his goal, but he doesn't do that movement enough.

"He still has time and if he is willing to listen to the boss and the players around him, then he will be something special, but I want more!"

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Everton and Leeds.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Chris: Once again, we only seem to be able to play for one half at home. It's as if the team have no belief in the new stadium. Bigger crowd, better acoustics seem to scare them. It would make a refreshing change to see the team play a whole game the way they played the second half. It's so frustrating for the supporters that they play better away from our new stadium. They need to start believing in themselves. Goodison has gone.

Jeff: A win against lower-placed Leeds would have put us on 35 points, three points below fourth placed Manchester United - a spot that qualifies us for next season's Champions League. But a win was never going to happen, as we played at home. A home that does not feel like home. We would be better off playing all our matches away. Better stadium names, better atmosphere, better results.

Martin: The first half was terrible - particularly Dwight McNeil - but the changes at half-time worked. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall filled a gap and with sharper play from Idrissa Gueye we could have got all three points.

Kevin: First half wasn't good enough, and we can't keep dropping back in home games to let the away side get a foothold. Second half was better. The three centre-backs made it easier to control the ball, but it also took away an extra player in Leeds' third of the pitch. We could have won if we'd been more aggressive. Two points dropped at home, so not good enough!

Leeds fans

Chris: After a promising first half, the second half was a hard watch. We had no response to the Everton changes and were on the back foot most of the last 45. Daniel Farke's changes were so late it barely gave us a chance to fight for the win. A game we should have definitely taken three points from.

Jonathan: I feel like Farke left it far too late to make the substitutions. It was clear from the start of the second half that something needed to change, so I'm not sure why it was left so late on. We should have won that game but nothing was done early enough to calm the tempo down and break their dominance in the second half.

Jeremy: Great first half because it was played at tempo - but then couldn't match the levels and faded when Everton responded. I like the boss but he HAS to realise that subs can be brought on before the last 10. We continue to fail to make substitutions in sufficient time for any impact.

Brendan: We're on a great run. We look like a Premier League side. But after a great first half, Farke completely failed to react in the second half when Everton took control. We should have won that but were lucky to get a point in the end.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Thierno Barry continues to look a raw work in progress but he is now answering questions about his potency in front of goal as he continues his hot scoring streak.

The 23-year-old signed from Villarreal in a £27m summer deal is a mixed bag and remains far from the finished article – but there are signs that Everton manager David Moyes has materials to develop.

Barry's attitude can never be questioned, earning him the support of Everton's fans with his tireless approach, even when he looked out of his depth earlier this season.

He is now getting his rewards with a fourth goal in five Premier League games - this one earning a draw against Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

And how Everton needed Barry's input after a dismal first 45 minutes that brought a hostile half-time reaction from their own fans.

Barry is unpredictable to say the least, wasting one promising opening in the second half by suddenly producing a flamboyant back-heel with no team-mates in attendance.

The other side of the coin is that he was the only Everton player who worked Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, producing one fine save from a shot with the outside of his right foot before scoring.

Barry followed up his winner at Aston Villa with a real poacher's finish with 14 minutes left, reacting quicker that Leeds defender Sebastiaan Bornauw to get on the end of Idrissa Gueye's near post cross to flash a finish high past Darlow.

The goals mean Barry has now established himself as Everton's first-choice striker ahead of Beto after the pair were exchanged regularly earlier in the season.

He has certainly won the approval of Moyes, who made it clear earlier this season that he had to score goals or he would find someone else to do so.

Moyes said: "If you're a centre-forward, you need to score goals, and he hadn't at the start. He's getting better. He's training well and getting used to scoring goals. We need to create more chances and we're still trying to get our attacking players back."

Everton forward Beto is one of the options Juventus are considering as they look to bring in a striker during the winter transfer window. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, the Blues have rejected an offer from Lazio for midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The first half we weren't at it, [but] second half we were much better and thankfully got a goal back."

On why the performance was so flat in the first half: "I don't really know. You need to tell me. We didn't set up to be flat, that's for sure. We just didn't play well and we were a little bit fortunate to only be 1-0 down at half-time. We could have been 2-0 down. But I could say the same about the second half - we maybe could have got a second goal. For whatever reason we didn't start well and Leeds were better than us in that first period.

"Second half was much better and gave us a better chance. We had more control of the game, made a few more chances and the keeper made a few good saves. We wanted the three points but that first half performance it made it difficult. To get back in it and take a point out of the game, we have to take that and move on."

On Thierno Barry: "We're pleased that he's beginning to get a few goals. If you get the goals as a centre-forward then that is really what matters. He is always really honest and works hard for us, but we need the goals and thankfully he got us one tonight."

On the bigger picture going forward: "Getting those boys back [Jarrad Branthwaite, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall], we needed them in the second half. None of them were ready to start, but we would have started them. We now have to try to get them to top fitness. Jarrad has not played fully for the best part of seven to eight months, so we need to give him a bit more room. They made a big difference those boys when they came on."

On struggling to win at home: "I don't think anything stands out. We moved from Goodison, which was a slightly tighter stadium, more compact. This is a bigger arena here - the whole stadium and the field as well - so I think we are still taking a little bit of time to settle in.

"But we started well here and there are no reasons why we shouldn't be doing better. We have to play better if we are going to get the results at home."

• Hear more from Moyes on BBC Sounds

Everton scorer Barry, speaking to Sky Sports about his goal: "I saw the cross and I was in a good place and finished the goal.

"I played in Spain last season, so it is not the same competition. I needed to work every day to be ready to score."

Everton midfielder James Garner, speaking to Sky Sports: "We were sloppy in the first half, we weren't at the races and we had to change it. We brought on two subs and probably should've won it."

On what changed at half-time: "More tempo. We were losing a lot of second balls in midfield, so he [David Moyes] changed the formation.

"We were going into the game hoping to get three, but in the first half we weren't good enough and we needed to react. That is what we did.

"We need to start putting in the performances at home now. We are very good away and we need to start picking up points here."

Did you know?

• After failing to score with any of his first 15 Premier League shots this season, Everton's Barry has scored with five of his past 10. Since the start of December, only Ollie Watkins (seven), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (seven) and Erling Haaland (six) have scored more Premier League goals than Barry.

• This was just the second time in the Premier League this season that Everton have avoided defeat when conceding the opening goal (also the 2-1 in at Crystal Palace in October.

• Only Palace (27) and Nottingham Forest (34) have made fewer changes to their starting XI in Premier League games this season than Everton (35).

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 Leeds United's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Everton boss David Moyes has made two changes to the side that won 1-0 at Aston Villa last Sunday.

The injured Jack Grealish misses out and Merlin Rohl drops to the bench with Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye back from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton XI: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Armstrong, McNeil, Ndiaye, Barry.

Subs: Travers, Beto, Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, Coleman, Alcaraz, Branthwaite, Rohl, Aznou.

Daniel Farke has also made two changes to the Leeds side that beat Fulham 1-0 last Saturday.

Noah Okafor drops to the bench and Gabriel Gudmundsson misses out with injury. In comes Anton Stach and Sebastiaan Bornauw.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Okafor, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte.

I'm definitely adding Everton to my list of teams who are impossible to predict. They've had some brilliant results this season, and some really disappointing ones too.

They will be without the injured Jack Grealish here but they were depleted against Villa last time out and they were brilliant in that game.

Thierno Barry took his goal ever so well for their winner. I know it was close in but it was still a lovely finish.

When you watch Barry closely, he is frustrating sometimes but he is a real nuisance and he is so good in the air. I was impressed by Harrison Armstrong and Merlin Rohl as well, and having Iliman Ndiaye back after winning the Afcon with Senegal will lift Everton too.

Leeds beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road with a late penalty at the start of the season, and this game will be just as tight.

I was going to go for an Everton win by the same scoreline but then I thought about Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming back to his old club. He is bound to score, isn't he?

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Lazio have submitted an offer worth up to £15m for Everton's 22-year-old English midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Everton and Leeds United will both be out to put an end to their respective stuttering home and away records when they face each other at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night (20:00 GMT) in the Premier League.

The Blues have won just one of their last five top-flight fixtures at their new home, while Leeds have a solitary victory from their 11 Premier League games on the road since their promotion.

The fixture also contains a fascinating subplot, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to play against Everton for the first time since his summer exit. Following his switch to Elland Road, he has been one of the standout strikers in the league.

Everton will look to Garner after Grealish blow

Everton continued their excellent away form this season on Sunday as a depleted XI earned a 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

Less than 48 hours later, Everton's enthusiasm was sapped. The club confirmed Jack Grealish has suffered a foot injury, and reports suggest he is set to miss around three months of the campaign.

Given Grealish's creative talents – he ranks fifth in the Premier League for chances created this season – there will be a void for manager David Moyes to fill. Some of the burden could be taken on by Iliman Ndiaye, who is back from the Africa Cup of Nations along with Idrissa Gueye, as well as the potential return of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

But as those players get up to speed, it is likely the absence of Grealish will place more emphasis on James Garner. The former Manchester United man was excellent against Aston Villa and has been Everton's star performer this season.

In addition to the glimpses of attacking class he has showcased lately, Garner has made a massive defensive contribution with the tireless Gueye unavailable. His all-round improvement this year has been substantial and he has been rewarded with a new contract.

Image source, BBC Sport

Calvert-Lewin can offer a painful reminder

With some players and some clubs, things get to a point where a parting of the ways just makes sense. For Everton and Calvert-Lewin last summer, it felt as though that threshold had been reached.

After nine years on Merseyside, the striker walked out on a free transfer. Leeds took a chance given his fitness and form in recent years, and they have been handsomely rewarded.

The change of scenery has revitalised the striker. Already this season, he has nine goals in 20 Premier League matches, which is his best tally since the 16 he scored under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton in 2020–21; Everton forwards Thierno Barry and Beto have only six between them.

It will be intriguing to see who Moyes picks at the back to combat the threat of the club's former number nine, with Michael Keane suspended and Jarrad Branthwaite edging closer to full fitness.

Despite their problems at home, Everton have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League side since the start of November.

Calvert-Lewin, given his newfound confidence, is unlikely to be daunted.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Everton midfielder James Garner hopes to be part of the club "for a long time" after signing a new long-term deal.

The 24-year-old, who joined from Manchester United in September 2022 having been on loan at Nottingham Forest, has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract to keep him with the Toffees until 2030.

Since his arrival, he has made 109 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.

The former England Under-21 international has become a key player under David Moyes, starting every game so far this campaign, and also tops a number of Premier League rankings including combined tackles, interceptions and key passes.

"I'm really excited to commit my future to Everton," Garner told club media.

"I'm very grateful for all the support and all the love I've had over the past three and a half years, but it's just the start.

"I've seen the progress we've made recently. Now I want to be part of that progress and get us back to where the club deserves to be.

"I feel like I'm now a part of the club and I'm hoping to be a part of it for a long time.

"I've got family members who are all Evertonians, so I know exactly the passion and, like I've just said, what it means to play for such a massive football club like this."

Manager Moyes added: "He is a player who has developed hugely during his time at Everton.

"He's taking on more responsibility and we're now seeing a really important midfielder, with the versatility to play in other positions, as well as someone who is turning into a leader for us.

"He is still only 24 years of age, and we hope he will continue to progress while playing a big part in pushing us forward in the future."

Jack Grealish's loan move has been regarded as a big success by Moyes, Everton fans and the player himself.

Grealish's spell on the sidelines now begs the question of whether he will remain at Everton when the season ends.

Everton are almost certain to want to keep Grealish - and all the indications are that he would like to stay, having spoken in the most glowing terms of his close relationship with Moyes, who was integral to the initial deal.

There will be other factors at play, however, such as Grealish's age, the financial package he would require, plus the fee City would demand.

Everton would not go anywhere near the £50m mentioned for a permanent deal last summer.

Grealish's injury has now added another complication, as Everton are sure to want to wait to see how recovers from this serious setback.

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman told BBC Sport: "It's a huge blow. He's been the marquee signing.

"He's completely bought into Everton as a club. It's been a perfect match for him and David Moyes in terms of what was needed.

"There were questions about whether he would suit Everton - whether he would be the right fit - but he has immersed himself in the environment and seems to have loved it.

"He's been playing with a smile on his face again and he makes Evertonians smile. He's been outstanding and his attitude has been great.

"I'm not looking forward to the next few weeks without him.

"Jack needed somewhere to play football with the fans behind him, get an opportunity to become the hero again, the main man.

"Everton needed a player to come in with a big character to be creative. And Jack's character off the field has been just as important as well as his expressions of character on it."

Osman agrees, though, that there is much to be taken into consideration before any permanent deal is done.

"If there were no financial considerations, it would be a unanimous 'yes' from everyone", he said.

"Everton must ask themselves if, taking cost into consideration, they want to get wrapped up in something long term again that is potentially not financially viable or not in the best interests of the club.

"Any deal would have to leave Everton in a strong position to strengthen elsewhere.

"They couldn't splash the whole wage bill on him because they have other positions to look at. They've been light at times this season.

"Everton have been burned in the market before and are trying to move past that.

"They need to strengthen elsewhere but, if the price is right, it's not even a question."

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Leeds at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 20:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jack Grealish's stress foot fracture is "a big blow" and Moyes awaits information from a specialist before giving a timescale on his return.

• The injury could impact Everton's transfer strategy: "Getting them is a different story but it will add to our thinking of 'is there anything out there we can consider?'"

• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite and Charly Alcaraz are all back in training.

• Moyes' jokingly shouted "what kept you from getting back?" at Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye as the Afcon champions returned to Finch Farm on Friday. He hopes that having winners around the team will help.

• A decision will be made on Harrison Armstrong close to the window deadline: "I want to get him games, I don't want him sitting on the bench. If I thought that was going to be happening all the time I'd probably send him back."

• On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "We look forward to seeing Dom. We just weren't quite able to make things work, whether it was us to keep him or Dom to stay - one or the other. He's certainly got his fitness back and he's scoring goals."

• Moyes says that "things are moving on" with James Garner's contract, and joked that after his man-of-the-match performance against Villa, Moyes told England manager Thomas Tuchel that Garner is actually Scottish.

• He said that he has found January "really difficult" due to the combination of injuries, Afcon departures and red card suspensions. Moyes noted that they've played Wolves and Burnley at a time when they're doing well, which goes some way to explain why they didn't do better against them as expected.

• Since Everton played Leeds on the opening day of the season, Moyes is "pretty pleased" with the progress made, both in terms of stalwarts stepping up and new players making big contributions: "I'm always thinking 'we're only three or four points away from a really, really good position but you could also look at it the other way and say 'you're only three or four points away from being too close at the bottom end'."

Listen to Moyes on BBC Sounds

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

Is there a more wholesome sight than one of your players flying into a tackle?

For all the creativity, smart finishing and wonder goals the Premier League can offer, few such joys would be possible were it not for those feisty fellows charging around to win the ball back for the cause.

This season, those in the graphic above top the charts for putting their foot in.

Tottenham's Joao Palhinha was seemingly born in a pair of shinpads and primed to launch in on someone, while Everton's James Garner continues to impress this season in various areas of his game - underlining why talk of an England call-up continues.

Keep an eye out for these men this weekend. Their opponents will almost certainly end up seeing more of them than they'd bargained for.