Everton

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Robert: Another disappointing performance. It's clear we need a top forward and have done for some time, but whoever is in charge never seems to rectify this glaring issues.

Paul: When top teams play well, like Chelsea did in the second half, we are going to struggle. That's just where we are. But if we took our chances in the first half, then it's a different game. We desperately need to try something different upfront. Charly Alcaraz, Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George or the young lad Braiden Graham must be worth a go. It isn't all bad, we are still in a good place, and have been picking up points, so there is plenty of optimism still.

Alex: That was not a good team performance, especially at home. Merlin Rohl and Harrison Armstrong were the standout players. Mykolenko and Tarkowski were pretty solid, too. It was on off day for both Dewsbury-Hall and Garner who made very little impression on the game. The usual issues with Thierno Barry will come back to haunt us. The fact that we still haven't sorted out the issues up front since Lukaku left is embarrassing.

Chelsea fans

George: It's this type of performance that signals the new era for Chelsea - solid, mature and resolute. Xabi Alonso has galvanised a group and created a structure for the team to express themselves as a collective. Clean sheet, chances and becoming difficult to beat. Alonso seems to have a plan which is well-thought-out, methodical, and progressive. I'm now excited and not nervous.

Tristan: Stunning. Finally getting a clean sheet and what a place to get it. That was the best game I have seen Pedro Neto play. I feel a bit anxious because we're getting injuries like Reece James and Emiliano Martinez but that win for me keeps Chelsea's title hopes alive.

Chris: Chelsea need to ditch Cole Palmer. The world thinks he is a dream, six shots on goal, and he missed every one of them. He was simply not reliable enough. Always starts the season with a whoosh and a bang, but returns to the inconsistencies that lost him his England place.

Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports about his side's performance: "Not as good as we wanted. We got a little bit unlucky with the goals. One came right after half-time was a blow to us. It wasn't good defending, but it takes a couple deflections before it gets to [Pedro] Neto, and it makes it a relatively easy finish for him. I thought there were parts of the game we did OK, but mainly we didn't offer enough to create enough and didn't make enough chances."

On it being a feisty game: "I thought Harrison [Armstrong] had a great tackle on the far side. I thought it was the best part of the first half and I think people who watch football appreciate it. A big part of our game in our country - I've not seen it back - my feeling was it was not in any way a free-kick. I think it's a part of what we do. I think their player got up straight away and got on with it.

"I think the Morgan Rogers tackle with Jimmy [James Garner] could've been questioned, but we're not saying we want everything to be a free-kick or stopped. We want them to be refereed correctly, and I don't think the tackle Harrison was making was refereed correctly. I thought it was unfair."

On Emi Martinez being taken off on a stretcher: "I have to say I haven't seen it back. At the time from where I was sitting in the dugout, I thought it was two people going for the ball. I've not seen where the collision was or how the collision happened but I hope he's OK."

Did you know?

• Everton failed to score in a Premier League home game for the first time since February (1-0 against Manchester United).

• Everton had just six shots against Chelsea, their fewest in a Premier League game since last December against Arsenal (5).

Listen to more from Moyes on BBC Sounds and you can also listen to James Garner's reaction below or on BBC Sounds

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Toffees, at kick-off, were one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League, along with Manchester City and Brentford, although four of those six games were draws.

But they could not equal their longest undefeated start to a Premier League season - when they managed three wins and four draws in their opening seven games of 2006-07.

They did have chances with the game goalless, most notably Thierno Barry's close-range header which was straight at Emiliano Martinez.

Everton's only senior striker has attempted more shots than anybody else this season in the Premier League - 25 - but has only scored three times.

There were several flashpoints in the first half, with five bookings – and Everton felt Morgan Rogers should have been given a second yellow for a 50-50 with James Garner.

But once Chelsea scored, David Moyes' home side never looked like coming back, and they only had two shots in the second half.

Everton starting XI:

Jordan Pickford: The England goalkeeper may be disappointed he did not keep out Neto's opener, but he later made several important saves. 5

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Chelsea's goal came down his side and the summer signing endured a quiet afternoon at right-back. 5

James Tarkowski: A solid display from Tarkowski, who played a key role in the physical battle between the two sides. 6

Jarrad Branthwaite: The recently capped England international made a number of important blocks and tackles. 6

Vitali Mykolenko: The returning full-back produced an excellent cross to create a late first-half chance for Barry. 6

Harrison Armstrong: The academy graduate raised the volume inside the stadium with a robust challenge that appeared to earn a harsh booking in the first half. He later cleared an effort off the line. 7

James Garner: The midfielder's set-piece delivery was below his usual standard, but he contributed well defensively and helped break up play. 6

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: The attacking midfielder struggled to create clear openings but did provide a dangerous cross that led to a chance for Grealish. Also produced a good second half cross from a free-kick into the box. 6

Merlin Rohl: Introduced as a surprise starter, Rohl defended diligently and provided a threat going forward. He registered Everton's first shot and produced an excellent block to deny Rogers in the second half. 7

Jack Grealish: The winger made a quiet start but grew into the game and created Everton's best chance with an inswinging cross for Barry. 6

Thierno Barry: The French striker will feel he should have done better with a first-half header and later struck another effort straight at the goalkeeper during a frustrating afternoon. 5

Everton substitutes:

Christian Norgaard (on 85, Armstrong): Making his Premier League debut for Everton, the summer signing from Arsenal looked rusty and immediately gave the ball away to give a chance to Chelsea. Later booked for a needless foul on Palmer. 4

Brennan Johnson (on 85, Grealish):

Tyrique George (on 85, Maitland-Niles)

Subs not used: Travers, O'Brien, Dibling, Hackney, Alcaraz, Graham

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

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 Chelsea's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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

• Everton v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brentford v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Hull City

• Manchester City v Ipswich Town - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle United v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswichmatch", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Everton host Chelsea in a meeting of fifth and sixth in the Premier League table.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting on Merseyside on Saturday.

Everton manager David Moyes was critical of his players after they let a 2-1 lead slip at Hull City on Sunday but a draw at the MKM Stadium was enough to maintain Everton's unbeaten start.

This is just the third time in the Premier League era that Everton have gone undefeated in their opening six matches. Should the Toffees avoid defeat against Chelsea on Saturday, they would match the club's longest unbeaten start from the beginning of a Premier League season.

That run of seven games was set in 2006-07 when Everton would go on to finish sixth and qualify for Europe during Moyes' first stint on Merseyside.

The Scot targeted a return to European football last season and Everton were in contention for much of the campaign before falling just short. Their chances of achieving that ambition in 2026-27 may well depend on the goals of centre-forward Thierno Barry, who has scored six times, just two short of last season's total with at least 34 games to go.

The 23-year-old is playing in only his third season in an elite European league having joined Everton after one campaign with Villarreal and after netting against both Ipswich Town and Hull, he is vying to score in three successive matches at this level for the first time.

Visitors Chelsea have an in-form forward of their own in Joao Pedro, who has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player so far.

The Brazil international scored twice as Chelsea put five past Bournemouth last weekend, taking his tally to five goals and three assists in just five matches.

Chelsea's triumph against the Cherries also underlined their current capacity to start quickly. The Blues have scored five goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League matches so far – 17 teams in the competition are yet to do so even once.

Chelsea, though, do not always travel well to the blue half of Merseyside. Their first game at Hill Dickinson Stadium last season ended in a 3-0 defeat, while they won on just one of their final eight visits to Goodison Park.

Moyes, meanwhile, has won eight of his past 13 home games as a manager in this fixture - four times with Everton and four with West Ham United.

Everton are still unbeaten and, as well as their results, they have really impressed me with the way they have played so far.

Bournemouth had a better xG than Chelsea last weekend, but lost 5-1. That game showed again how Xabi Alonso's side are going to be enjoyable to watch this season but very difficult to predict.

You just don't know what you are going to get with Chelsea at the moment but at least you know what to expect from Everton.

They are always so well organised and should probably have beaten Hull City last time out, with the number of good chances Thierno Barry had.

I can see them making things awkward for Chelsea and maintaining that unbeaten start.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has a "problem" which may sideline the 24-year-old for Saturday's game, but Vitaliy Mykolenko "has a chance for the game".

• Midfielder Christian Norgaard, who joined the Toffees for £7m in the summer, has "got a bit to go", but Moyes suggested he "could use him at certain times if required" as he recovers from a groin injury.

• Moyes confirmed that Tyrique George is "knocking on the door" for a starting spot and that Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish "is aware" of the youngster's progression. "Huge competition in that position. We think he [George] can do a job on both sides, so we have to look at that as well," added Moyes.

• Although Moyes is "pleased" with Toffees forward Thierno Barry's goalscoring form, he said his side need to be "clinical when we get those opportunities."

• He said he had "plenty of talks" throughout the summer regarding a possible contract extension to keep him at the club, but talks had entered a "lull" since the season had started. "As I have said many times, it is not the most important thing for me. I just want to try to keep driving Everton on and build them on to see if we can keep continuing to improve," said Moyes.

• On having a smaller squad, Moyes said his side could take inspiration from Leicester City's 2015-16 title-winners: "Leicester City won the league with not too many players. We have not got too many players. I am not saying we're going to win the league, but we want to try to challenge and be around the top teams."

• On Xabi Alonso's Chelsea: "Their attacking line is incredibly exciting. I also think they have got some super defenders as well, but they are playing quite an expansive game, which on its day can lead to goals and on another day it can lead to defeats."

Find more from Moyes' news conference by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

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

Everton fan James Costello has told BBC Radio Merseyside why he prefers Tyrique George over Brennan Johnson and how Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has halted Charly Alcaraz's progress.

"George does have that attacking prowess. You can tell when he is on the ball that he is quality. He draws fouls and gets us in dangerous positions," said Costello.

"George has been fantastic this season and dropping him to the bench against Hull City kind of felt unfair.

"He was important for the England Under-21s in the international break. Johnson was lucky enough to get the goal, but his output does not excite me.

"Jack Grealish is quality, but him and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall don't work together well. They're similar players in a way. They bring in chances and they do dominate, but I don't think they work well as a pair.

"Chelsea's defence are playing with a back three and the weak spots could be in the wider areas, so we're going to need to the pace of George and Tyler Dibling.

"Charly Alcaraz is strange for me. He came in 18 months ago on loan and he set the world alight.

"Dewsbury-Hall has halted Alcaraz's progress because they're similar players."

Listen to more from Costello above or on BBC Sounds here

It was a bleak start to life in the Premier League and English football for Thierno Barry last season - 41 games, six goals.

However, eight games into Everton's 2026-27 campaign and the Toffees forward already has six goals to his name.

Speaking to BBC Newsbeat about why he chose to post a video last month, external of him breaking down during a private training session, Barry said: "People can say I miss a lot of chances, but I also create a lot of chances.

"Every fan counts on you to score goals, so imagine you didn't score for three months like me [last season] - it's difficult."

Everton fan Natalie Bargery told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It all stems from desperately wanting to do well. He does beat himself up, and we all saw the video he posted on Instagram with his coach.

"I think he has got a good mentality in that he is desperate to do well."

Barry has let fans see behind the scenes where he has documented solo training sessions and opened up about the pressure he feels being a Premier League player on his social media accounts.

"This season is more easy to switch because I know I have time on the pitch," said the Frenchman. "I think when I miss that chance, seven minutes later, I'll have another opportunity to score. That's a real pressure.

"When I come to the ball, in my head, it's like time stops."

David Moyes' main centre-forward overcame a four-game dry spell to score two goals in consecutive Premier League matches.

"The people around me helped a lot because, like I said, I'm really hard with myself and the people with me try to help me to be more positive," added Barry.

Read more about Barry's journey here and hit play above to hear more from Bargery and The Paddock Blues podcast's Paul Brown, or listen on BBC Sounds here

On the latest Toffees Unwrapped podcast, BBC Radio Merseyside's Philip Munns is sticking with his bold pre-season prediction that Thierno Barry will score 20 goals in all competitions throughout the 2026-27 season.

Munns said: "He's underperforming his xG. He's now up to 10 big chances missed in the Premier League this season.

"When you look at those sorts of stats, on the face of it, you're thinking: 'Well, that doesn't sound good.'

"But with eight games down in the season, and many more to follow, the Everton forward has scored six goals.

"Looking at the table [missed chances] for last year, you had most big chances missed - Erling Haaland.

"Second most, you had Igor Thiago. They were the two top scorers in the Premier League.

"So, I just think that that's got to be a good sign. Room for improvement? Absolutely, definitely.

"If he learns to head the ball down, he also scores a few more."

Listen to the clip above by pressing play or find the full episode of Toffees Unwrapped below or on BBC Sounds here

Everton, Manchester United and Tottenham are keeping tabs on 24-year-old Dinamo Zagreband Croatia striker Dion Beljo, who is 6ft 5in. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.

If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.

The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.

Everton missed out on the Champions League once, in 2013-14, and on four other occasions they finished one place below the final Europa League spot.

The Champions League place is calculated to be worth £32.6m - the £39m earned by Manchester City minus the Toffees' £6.4m winnings from the Europa League they competed in instead.

The combined impact of missing out on the Europa League four times is £23.2m.

Add on the £10.6m from Premier League prize money, and the total financial effect is £66.4m - making Everton the third-most-impacted club.

Learn more about how the numbers were calculated here