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Everton FC | 2020/21 Season Thread

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin's superb second-half header gave Everton an impressive opening-day away win against a lifeless Tottenham on Super Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's Tottenham were "lifeless, flat" and "walking around the pitch sulking" for large chunks of the second half, said Sky Sports' Gary Neville on commentary, with Spurs registering just nine tackles to Everton's 18, and Harry Kane touching the ball only twice in the Everton box.

Both sides had chances in a goalless first half; Richarlison rounded Hugo Lloris but blazed over, before both Dele Alli and Matt Doherty were denied by Jordan Pickford at the other end.

Everton's winner was coming, and Calvert-Lewin rose brilliantly to power a header into the top corner from Lucas Digne's deep free-kick, with Spurs' efforts to form a comeback lacking as the visitors comfortably held on.

For Everton, optimism will be high as they won away at a top-six side for the first time since December 2013, but there were concerning signs for Mourinho as he lost on the opening day of a league season for the first time as a manager.

Player ratings

Tottenham: Lloris (6), Doherty (6), Alderweireld (5), Dier (5), Davies (6), Hojbjerg (4), Winks (4), Alli (3), Son (5), Kane (5), Moura (4)

Subs: Sissoko (7), Bergwijn (6), Ndombele (NA)

Everton: Pickford (8), Coleman (7), Mina (7), Keane (7), Digne (7), Allan (9), Gomes (7), Doucoure (7), James (8), Richarlison (7), Calvert-Lewin (8).

Subs: Sigurdsson (6), Kean (NA), Davies (NA)

Man of the match: Allan

How Everton powered past flat Spurs

Everton had more of the ball and the better of the early stages, and should have been ahead as Ben Davies' loose pass across the defence found Richarlison through on goal after he beat Toby Alderweireld for speed. But having rounded Hugo Lloris, the Brazilian skied his finish from an acute angle.


Everton were then nearly punished by Spurs' counter as Heung-Min Son ignored the run of Harry Kane to slip in Dele Alli, but his fierce shot from just inside the box was tipped over by Pickford.

Debutant James Rodriguez curled inches wide of the far post for Everton with a left-footed effort before the break, while Matt Doherty, also making his debut for Spurs, forced a good block from Pickford low down after Kane's fine scooped pass over the defence.

Mourinho, whose side struggled to get their midfield on the ball in the first half, brought on Moussa Sissoko for Alli at the break, but the Frenchman played higher up the pitch than expected as Everton continued to press, claiming a deserved opener 10 minutes after the restart.

Digne's free-kick from deep on the left was met superbly by Calvert-Lewin, who got above Eric Dier, and his bullet header found the top left corner, leaving Lloris rooted. Mourinho complained that the free-kick had been taken four yards ahead of where the foul took place, but his protests were ignored.

Spurs' were expected to up the ante thereafter, but Everton had better chances to double their lead as Richarlison curled two half-chances wide of the far post.

Team news
Tottenham handed debuts to Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but Giovani Lo Celso missed out with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Joe Hart was named as Hugo Lloris' deputy.

Everton handed debuts to new signings James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Everton tired, but so did Spurs, and the game petered out as Mourinho lost a campaign opener for the first time in 19 seasons.

For two teams looking to build following disappointing campaigns in 2019/20, Carlo Ancelotti's side will be the happier - new signings Rodriguez and man-of-the-match Allan were superb - on what was a concerning opening day of the season for Mourinho's Spurs.

Opta stats

Everton have managed to secure their first Premier League win in London in nine games (D4 L4), with this only their second top-flight win in the capital in their last 20 matches (2-0 vs West Ham in March 2019).
Only Pep Guardiola (4/4) can boast a better 100 per cent winning ratio on the opening weekend of a Premier League season than Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has won each of this three matches to kick-off an English top-flight season (also Frank Clark, 3).
Tottenham have suffered their first defeat on the first match of a top-flght season since 2015-16 (0-1 vs Man Utd) and their 11th overall. In fact, only West Ham (14) have kicked off more Premier League campaigns with a defeat than Spurs.
Everton's James Rodríguez created five opportunities for his teammates during this match with Tottenham, the most by a player on their Premier League debut since Alexis Sanchez back in August 2014 (5 vs Crystal Palace).

https://www.skysports.com/football/tottenham-vs-everton/report/428842
 
Have to say I'm really quite excited by this Everton team. Last year, they looked so lacklustre, bland and uninspiring, barely capable of finishing in the top half.

But they completely revamped their midfield, 3 signings for 20-30 each, and they've been instantly transformed. That midfield pivot of Doucoure and Allan were outstanding, so much energy and dynamism. With James and Andre Gomes providing the immaculate dribbling and passing in the transition, I really could see Everton dominating the midfield in just about every game they play.

And to think those signings have been training with the squad for just a week, think what they could do over a season and more. Lot to like about this Everton side, hope they can continue this.
 
Last edited:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 - Dominic Calvert-Lewin (23y & 187d) is the youngest ever Englishman to score a Premier League hat-trick for Everton. Toffee. <a href="https://t.co/bUtso9ZdMY">pic.twitter.com/bUtso9ZdMY</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1307303955412774912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
'Rodriguez makes football look easy' - Everton 5-2 West Brom

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, speaking to BT Sport: "The result doesn't reflect what happened on the pitch because honestly they were better at the start. We had a good reaction after the goal we conceded."

Getting a good reaction from Dominic Calvert-Lewin? "I hope so. He started really well. Today was the top scorer but there was also Richarlison who did well. The combination up front was good and they had support from James who is doing really well in this period. Satisfying in front, we have to be better at the back."

On good start: "We have seen more ambition, more motivation more focussed. For the moment it is good but we have to pay attention because the games can be difficult.

"We were without balance in the beginning in defence. After two games it is normal everything is not perfect."

On James Rodriguez: "He makes football easy. He started really well and I am happy for this. He has fantastic desire to play, he loves to play with us."
 
Southampton are interested in signing Everton midfielder Tom Davies.
 
"He is a great goalkeeper."

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has given his backing to under-fire goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
 
What a start to the season for Everton.

Three wins from three to sit top of the Premier League.
 
Top of the league.

Good 13 or 14 players, but need a couple more signings I think.
 
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his ninth goal of the season and James Rodriguez netted twice as Everton beat Brighton to make it four Premier League wins from four for the impressive table-topping Toffees.

However, it was another game that will prompt questions about the quality of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for both club and country.

All was going well for the home side after Calvert-Lewin rose highest to head in at the back post to cap another excellent week that saw him score his second hat-trick of the season and earn a first call-up to the senior England squad.

But in the closing stages of a first-half in which he had barely been tested, England keeper Pickford dropped a tame bouncing ball at the feet of Neal Maupay, who then slotted the ball in on the turn.

The heavy rain during the match was undoubtedly a contributing factor but the poor error came not long after the shocking mistake he made in the Carabao Cup win at Fleetwood.

Thankfully for the home side, they were able to reclaim the lead before the break when James Rodriguez picked out fellow Colombian Yerry Mina who headed in from a corner.

And it was Rodriguez himself who put the game beyond Albion, firstly sliding in to finish off Alex Iwobi's chipped cross at the back post and then finding space in the same area to tap home Abdoulaye Doucoure's pass.

Brighton were able to claim a consolation through a superb Yves Bissouma strike in added time but they have now lost three of their first four games.

They can argue they deserved to take something from the defeats by Chelsea and Manchester United, but they can have no complaints about this.

Aside from Pickford's form, the only other negative for Carlo Ancelotti's side was losing forward Richarlison to injury in the first half.

Everton lead the division, having taken 12 points from 12, but could be overtaken this weekend by Leicester and Liverpool, who both play on Sunday.
 
Another good performance today.

Ancellotti has got them playing some good football so far.
 
Need a 'keeper. Biggest Merseyside Derby in decades ... If Everton can win it, Carlo on his way to coronation
 
Everton striker Moise Kean set for PSG loan move

Everton striker Moise Kean is poised to join Paris St-Germain on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Italy international has failed to make an impact on Merseyside since joining Everton in a £27m deal from Juventus in the summer of 2019.

He will now try to re-ignite his career at PSG, who are understood to have an option to buy Kean at the end of his loan period.

Kean has played four times for Everton this season, scoring two goals.

He was a late substitute in three of those four games and only started the EFL Cup game against Salford City.

Last season, Kean made 33 appearances for the Goodison Park club but only managed two goals, which were both in the league.

Everton said they were "appalled" after images emerged appearing to show Kean at a party during the coronavirus lockdown earlier this year.

He was also dropped from the squad as a disciplinary measure last year after being late for a team meeting for the second time.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54396971
 
Carlo Ancelotti's Everton can become "the next proper challenger" to Liverpool in the Premier League, says Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Toffees top the table with four wins from four under the Italian, who was appointed last December.

They host champions Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

"What I think about Carlo Ancelloti was never a secret. I couldn't respect him more. He's a wonderful human being," Klopp told BBC Football Focus.

"When I heard he was going to sign for Everton I thought 'Uhhh, the next proper challenger in line'.

"They did the perfect business in the summer. They found exactly the players that they needed to improve an already pretty good football team.

"Together, getting more used to what Carlo wants them to do makes them a pretty strong team."

Ancelotti succeeded Marco Silva as Everton boss, having won league titles in Italy, Germany, France and England, with Chelsea in 2009-10. He also has three Champions Leagues to his name as a manager.

Everton, 12th in the Premier League last season, have not finished higher than seventh since 2013-14.

After strengthening their midfield this summer with the signings of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, they have a 100% record from seven games in all competitions this season.

They have scored 24 goals, with newly capped 23-year-old England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting nine of them, including two hat-tricks.

Klopp said: "Calvert-Lewin, I really expected him to make big steps in the next few years and he did," said Klopp.

"He has everything you need in a top striker: size, mobility, speed, desire, technically really, really good, in the air, finishing with his head, both feet.

"And now it all works together - both wings have top-class players with James and Richarlison. Midfield, Allan plus whoever plays there, if it's Sigurddson or whoever.

"So it's a really, really good team and the last line works better because in a good team it's easier to defend. That's what you see when you watch Everton, so it will be a really interesting game."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54552951
 
Mind games from the gruff German, dammit. Another freak Liverpool goal to win it. Most blues would settle for another draw, it's been that much a foregone conclusion over the last three decades.
 
Giant killers?

===

Everton twice came from behind to draw a dramatic Merseyside derby with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson having a stoppage-time winner ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.

Before the late drama, Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the equaliser after Mohamed Salah had put the visitors 2-1 ahead with a sweet strike.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane had opened the scoring early on before the Reds lost defender Virgil van Dijk after a reckless challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Michael Keane then headed the hosts level from James Rodriguez's corner.

The in-form Calvert-Lewin levelled once again with nine minutes to play before Richarlison was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Thiago at Goodison Park.

The result means Everton maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
 
Merseyside Police are investigating a number of offensive posts on Twitter aimed at two Everton players.

In a statement, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We are currently investigating a number of offensive Tweets made in relation to two Everton footballers.

"The language used in the Tweets is totally unacceptable and we are taking the reports extremely seriously.

"Those who use the internet to target others, and who commit criminal offences such as making threats or committing a hate crime in doing so, are not beyond the law.

"Detectives are making enquiries to identify the individuals who posted the Tweets and where we identify offences we will take action to bring those responsible to justice."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...offensive-tweets-aimed-at-two-everton-players
 
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has apologised for the injury suffered by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk during Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Van Dijk, 29, sustained cruciate ligament damage after a challenge by Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Ancelotti said Pickford is "really sad" the Dutchman is injured, but denied the tackle was premeditated.

"To be clear, we are really sorry for the injury of Virgil van Dijk," Ancelotti said.

"Every one of us hopes he can recover soon and well."

Pickford will face no further action for the challenge as the Football Association determined the incident was seen at the time having consulted with the match officials, including the video assistant referee.

Van Dijk's Liverpool and Netherlands team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum described the tackle "completely stupid", but Ancelotti said it was mistimed rather than malicious.

"There was this contact with Jordan Pickford: it was mistimed contact," added the Italian. "But the fact the Premier League is so fast, it is not so difficult to arrive a little bit later.

"Jordan arrived a little bit later but his intention was to try to reach the ball. It was not to hurt Virgil van Dijk.

"To say it was premeditated, and this and that, in my opinion, is too much. Virgil van Dijk knows this.

"Jordan is really sad, really disappointed [that Van Dijk is injured]. It was a strong contact, maybe mistimed, but sometimes in football it can happen."

Ancelotti also said that Everton's Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez will miss Sunday's trip to Southampton with an injury sustained in a challenge with Van Dijk in the opening stages of Saturday's game at Goodison Park.

Captain Seamus Coleman will also miss out after being forced off with a hamstring injury during the first half, while forward Richarlison is suspended following his red card for a late tackle on Reds midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
 
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the scrutiny over the injury sustained by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk against his team last weekend played a part in Lucas Digne's red card at Southampton.

The France left-back was shown a straight red card for treading on Kyle Walker-Peters, a week on from the Merseyside derby where Van Dijk was injured by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and forward Richarlison was dismissed.

"The red card was a joke," Ancelotti told BBC Sport.

"Maybe the fact that there was a lot of talk all week about Pickford and Richarlison against Liverpool affected the decision.

"We will appeal, to lose a player like Digne for three games like this is not fair."

Van Dijk, 29, sustained cruciate ligament damage after a challenge by Toffees goalkeeper Pickford in the 2-2 draw on 17 October.

Ancelotti said in the week that Pickford is "really sad" the Dutchman is injured, but denied the tackle was premeditated.

Pickford faced no further action for the challenge as the Football Association determined the incident was seen at the time having consulted with the match officials, including the video assistant referee.

Richarlison was sent off against Liverpool for a challenge on midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Ancelotti was asked after the 2-0 defeat at St Mary's whether he thought referee Kevin Friend was influenced by the events at Goodison Park last week when showing Digne a red card.

"You never know," Ancelotti said. "For sure it was not a red card."

Source BBC
 
Real Madrid's Spanish forward Isco, 28, is keen to link up with ex-boss Carlo Ancelotti and former team-mate James Rodriguez at Everton. (Sunday Mirror)
 
Everton's early season bubble seems to be bursting, this 3-1 loss at home to Man United makes it 3 league defeats in a row.

Away to Fulham next game to get back on track hopefully for Ancelotti.
 
Gone off the boil recently and looked flat today against Leeds.

Digne's injury is a big loss.
 
Everton have announced record losses of almost £140m after the implications of the coronavirus pandemic significantly impacted revenues.

The club's deficit after tax was £139.9m, considerably worse than a year ago when they posted a then-record loss of £111.8m, albeit over a 13-month accounting period.

Everton said the cost of Covid-19 amounted to an unforeseen loss of £67.3m.
 
Great week for them:

1-0 Chelsea
2-0 Leicester
2-1 Arsenal

What a week for Everton and Carlo Ancelotti.
 
Up to 4th.

Only 4 pts behind the leaders.
 
Everton's Colombia attacker James Rodriguez, 29, is considering leaving the club despite only moving to Goodison Park last summer. (Defensa Central)
 
They're a hard watch and ought to show more ambition; sitting back like lame ducks isn't a great spectacle.

They need players with more energy and considering Iwobi is a recent but, don't see how Ancelotti can take them to the next level. Sixth is about right if they can take it.
 
Everton are "dreaming of Champions League"

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he is "dreaming" of Champions League qualification, but said his side's performances must improve to make that a reality.

The Toffees gained a hard-fought 1-0 win over struggling West Bromwich Albion, thanks to Richarlison's header when he converted a cross from substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson, who had only been on the pitch for 43 seconds.

Victory took Everton on to 46 points from 26 games and briefly up to fourth in the Premier League - the last Champions League qualifying spot - before Chelsea's 1-0 win at Liverpool dropped Ancelotti's side to fifth.

"At the start of the season no-one could say Everton, after 26 games, would be there," said the Italian, who has won the Champions League as manager of AC Milan and Real Madrid.

"The dream is the Champions League - it would be fantastic to follow this dream. It's a step in the career of everyone.

"We're in the fight but you need to sacrifice until the end. There's more pressure because we're in the fight for Europe, we want to be there and we've worked really hard to be there.

"This is our step and our target. We have to step up a bit, there's more to sacrifice.

"If I look at the table I'm really happy because the position is good but it's not the end of the season and we have to fight."

West Brom had been the better team in the first half at The Hawthorns but England keeper Jordan Pickford made an excellent save to keep out Mbaye Diagne's second-minute header.

Diagne thought he had grabbed a 93rd-minute equaliser when he controlled a pass and shot into the net, but he was denied because he was narrowly offside, with the video assistant referee (VAR) confirming the on-field decision.

West Brom are 19th, in the relegation zone and nine points behind 17th-placed Newcastle United, who they host on Sunday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56191317
 
Everton travelled to Stamford Bridge riding high on the back of a three-game winning streak that had thrust the Toffees into Champions League contention.

Before his return to Stamford Bridge, the Italian spoke up the chances of the blue half of Merseyside competing with Chelsea both on the pitch and in the race for the top four, but there was no performance to back his pre-match prophecy, and instead it was his comments after Everton's timid defeat on Monday night which spoke volumes.

"We have to be honest; we are not at the same level," Ancelotti said. "We cannot play an open game against this kind of team."
 
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure will be out for up to 10 weeks with a small fracture in his foot.

The 28-year-old missed Monday's Premier League defeat at Chelsea after coming off during the win at West Brom on 4 March.

The Frenchman has started 25 league games since joining the Toffees from Watford in the summer.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said he was "hopeful" Doucoure could return before the end of the season.

The Italian also confirmed playmaker James Rodriguez would not be available until after the March international break.

Rodriguez had been playing with a calf issue before missing the past three games, and Ancelotti wants the Colombian to fully recover before returning to the side.

It means the 29-year-old will miss Saturday's visit of Burnley and the FA Cup quarter-final at home to Manchester City on 20 March.

"James played well, really well, against Man United and against Liverpool but he was not 100% fit," said Ancelotti.

"We decided to give him a proper recovery and don't let him play at 70 or 80%. We have taken this decision together and the player agrees."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56375238
 
Carlo Ancelotti: Everton manager says unhappy players can leave Goodison Park amid criticism over commitment

Everton's hopes for the European places appear slim following a ninth home defeat of the season to Sheffield United last weekend; Watch Everton vs Wolves, on Wednesday live on Sky Sports Premier

Carlo Ancelotti insists unhappy players are not good for his project at Everton.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has questioned the commitment of some of his players and says if they are unhappy, they can leave the club.

Everton's European aspirations appear unlikely following their home defeat to bottom-club Sheffield United on Sunday.

They are currently ninth in the Premier League table but could finish anywhere from sixth to tenth depending on their own and other team's results - they face Wolves on Wednesday followed by Manchester City on Sunday.

Ancelotti described the commitment of some of his players during the shock defeat as "unacceptable" and has criticised his side's inconsistency, with that loss marking the ninth time they've been beaten at Goodison in this league campaign.


"I don't want to have players here who are unhappy," Ancelotti said. "If there are some players that are not happy to stay where they can ask to leave.

"I want to have players that want to stay at Everton and feel part of this project.

Ancelotti says his Everton side have to be prepared for 'any kind of reaction' from the returning supporters following their poor home form
"That is for all players. There is no player I can force to stay here. But I told them this recently. They know. If someone is not happy they have to leave.

"An unhappy player is not going to be a good part of this project."

Following that latest defeat, Ancelotti admitted he was "embarrassed" by his team's home form this season and hopes the return of fans for their final league game at Goodison against Wolves will wake his players up.

Ancelotti admits he is embarrassed by his side's patchy home form and hopes the return of fans will wake the players up
Speaking about the reaction he wants from his players, the Italian added: "I don't want to nominate players but most of them, the commitment for the game [against Sheffield United] was absolutely not good.

"It was unacceptable because the game was so important. I hope for a reaction tomorrow."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12310459/carlo-ancelotti-everton-manager-says-unhappy-players-can-leave-goodison-park-amid-criticism-over-commitment
 
Mixed views from Everton fans regarding Carlo Ancelotti leaving to join Real Madrid.

Some feel it's a big loss, but others seem to be saying that it's a step in the right direction as he wasn't taking the team forward.

Touogh job the Everton one these days. Let's see who they bring in.
 
Appointing Carlo Ancelotti as Real's Manager is going to end up very badly for Madrid. Ancelotti can only be successful with big players. Plus his league record is very poor to this date he has won just 3 league titles & he started managing in 1995.
 
Nuno Espirito Santo: Everton close to appointing former Wolves boss as new manager

Nuno Espirito Santo close to being appointed as Carlo Ancelotti's successor at Goodison Park; Portuguese left Wolves at the end of last season and previously held talks over vacant Crystal Palace managerial position

Former Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is edging closer to being appointed Everton's new manager.

Negotiations over a number of issues including the length of contract are still to be finalised, but the club are hopeful he will be confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti's successor within the next week.

Nuno, who left Wolves at the end of last season after four years in charge, was close to becoming manager of Crystal Palace earlier this month before negotiations broke down.

The Portuguese, 47, emerged as an early favourite for the Everton vacancy, with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri impressed with Wolves' development during his tenure at Molineux.

West Ham manager David Moyes was also considered a front-runner for a possible return to Everton, where he led the club from 2002-2013.

However, the Scot has agreed a new three-year contract at the Hammers after he secured Europa League qualification with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and ex-Lille boss Christophe Galtier were also reported as under consideration for the vacant position.


https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12330698/nuno-espirito-santo-everton-close-to-appointing-former-wolves-boss-as-new-manager
 
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