Everton

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday served as a fabulous reminder of what we are leaving behind in Goodison Park.

The work done this season by fan group, The 1878s has been nothing short of exemplary.

As they bowed out on Saturday, with the club taking over proceedings for Goodison's final bow against Southampton, it's fair to say the display brought many emotions to the surface for so many Blues.

The sight of confetti floating from the upper tiers of all four sides of the ground, bordered by flags and banners of so many Everton heroes, will live long in the memory.

It's true that our football club is made what it is by our fans. Without the selflessness of a handful, we wouldn't have been given the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to The Old Lady over the course of this season.

One thing they were unable to impact was the habit of Everton throwing away a 2-0 lead.

For the fourth time this season, the players did exactly that. It is something I am sure the manager will want to eradicate before we enter a new era for the club.

As disappointing as that was, nothing could take away from what was a truly emotive and very Evertonian spectacle pre-match.

I think the tears will continue to flow in the lead-up to Goodison Park's final outing in a couple of weeks' time.

I'm not sure any of us are prepared for that.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Everton and Wolves are interested in signing former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe, with the 29-year-old Ivory Coast international out of contract at Villarreal this summer. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

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

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We asked for your views on Everton's Premier League game against Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Oliver: The full-backs simply weren't up to standard. Vitaliy Mykolenko offers solid defensive cover but lacks the quality or confidence going forward, while Nathan Patterson contributes more in attack but is too often caught out defensively. Strengthening the full-back positions will surely be high on David Moyes' agenda this summer.

Mike: Jekyll-and-Hyde performance once again from Everton. Second half we just didn't turn up but credit to Ipswich who were good value for the draw. On far too many occasions this season, a two-goal lead has been squandered. Moyes knows this is not good enough and a major overhaul is needed in the summer.

Harry: I can't believe how sluggish and lazy we looked. On a day, when the fans made such an effort to give the Old Lady the beginning of a memorable send-off, the players thought they'd just go through the motions. Fifteen draws and counting.

Anton: Extremely frustrating result. Clearly too many players thought that 2-0 up after 35 mins at home to an already-relegated side equated to three pts. They'd better not produce this kind of performance against Southampton. This summer is going to be extremely interesting, not frustrating...we hope!

Ipswich fans

David: This was one of very few games this season where I felt we matched the opposition and weren't outclassed.

James: Where have those performances been hiding?! Great resilience to come back and get a point. My concern is how many of those players are going to be there next season.

Steve: The team have not given up - a good sign.

Robert: A fighting display to get the draw but sadly too little too late. My greatest worries are whether the manager will stay if approached by other clubs, how many players will move on and, if we sign new players, how long will it take them to gel together. We need to be on the front foot from the very start of next season.

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Everton forward Beto spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after Saturday's draw against Ipswich: "It's a really big disappointment. We had the game in our hands but we let it escape."

On his upturn in form since David Moyes' return: "He gave me confidence and the freedom to play - to make runs, be aggressive and be myself. I am playing more so of course I am enjoying it more. I think I can do more. I am better now but I want to get better."

On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "He has always been a good player and an Everton legend. He is back now to help the team get the best results possible.

Everton are prepared to rival Manchester United for the signature of 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-2 Ipswich

• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

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David Moyes spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Everton's draw against Ipswich: "The feeling is one of disappointment because we were 2-0 up and allowed them back into the game. We did enough good things but didn't turn it into enough goals and chances.

"Ipswich can give teams problems. They are a really good footballing side. A lot of players made poor decisions in that period for their second goal.

"We didn't have enough shots, I know that. It's not the end of the earth but it's something we need to improve on. We saw today as a big chance to take three points but we couldn't quite see the game off."

On the emotion inside Goodison Park with this the last Saturday Premier League game at the venue: "It was an incredible atmosphere inside the stadium before kick-off. I thought the players were very good for the first 40 minutes. The supporters will be disappointed they didn't take the three points - as are the players."

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Reuters

It was meant to be a day of celebration as Everton played their final ever Saturday 15:00 kick-off at Goodison Park - their first came 48,293 days ago when they beat Preston 6-0 in February 1893.

The Gwladys Street stand was adorned with flags and banners, while the players walked into a shower of blue, white and yellow ticker tape as they emerged from the tunnel to the sound of Z-Cars.

Everton were initially buoyed by the occasion as they penned Ipswich back and earned a two-goal lead through Beto and Dwight McNeil.

But the afternoon took a turn and the mood was dampened when Julio Enciso rifled home a dipping shot from 30 yards shortly before half-time.

Everton ran out of steam in the second period, attempting just one shot off target, as Ipswich began to grow in confidence.

George Hirst could hardly believe his luck when he rose unchallenged at the back post to head in the equaliser with 11 minutes remaining.

With a move to Bramley-Moore dock set for next season, it wasn't the fairytale Everton had wished for in their last Saturday at home, but they have another shot at a winning finale when they play their closing match at the venue they've called home since 1892 against Southampton on 18 May.

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Only Luka Milivojevic has scored more goals in the Premier League with 100% of them coming with a specific body part (28/28 with right foot) than Dwight McNeil (21/21 with left foot).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and I am really looking forward to going to Goodison Park again.

Everything points towards a home win, despite Everton losing their previous two games.

Ipswich are definitely down now and, while they won't throw in the towel, they might be a little less spirited now they know they are relegated.

Their confidence has been sapped over the course of the season and, after watching them recently, I can't back them to get anything here.

They were flimsy against Arsenal, then well beaten by Newcastle, and it would be a shock if they scored at all, let alone break my record for the fastest goal scored by an away player at Goodison.

Everton have stuttered in the past couple of weeks but I don't think that is a bad thing for David Moyes.

He has over-achieved since taking charge in January, when the reality is that he has got the same group of players as his predecessor, Sean Dyche, and there needs to be a lot of work done on improving that squad in the summer.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Listen to Everton v Ipswich on BBC Radio 5 Live at 15:00 BST on Saturday

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport researcher

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On if Dominic Calvert-Lewin will feature against Ipswich: "I'm hoping to have him around, he's trained this week. In truth, it's probably too quick to put him back in and even minutes is a bit worrying. I think I want to get him back involved, we only have three or four weeks to go."

• On if a new contract has been offered to Calvert-Lewin: "There's not been a contract offer since I've been here, it was under a different regime. We want everyone to have to fight for what they're doing and show what they're worth. We're taking a lot of time to look, unfortunately Dom has been injured for a big part of it but his history has been very good so we will take all that into consideration."

• On if Calvert-Lewin will be judged on the final four games before being offered a new contract: "He's only now had three days of training in total so it would be unfair to judge him on the last four games. It's not me who's always judging him, Evertonians will be judging him. I'll make the final decision, but Dom has to show us he's robust and can be fit to play. Undoubtedly he's got qualities other strikers don't have, and he has to show us all when he gets the opportunities that he'll take it. We need him to be ready to train, play, be competitive in more games than he's been available for."

• On if Carlos Alcaraz will be offered a permanent deal: "We're keeping our eye on it. He's come on and made a difference in the games, sometimes as a sub he has had a bigger impact. He's done some good things for us."

• On a win taking them over the 40 point mark in the league: "The position we were in, obviously 40 points would be a great achievement and hopefully we can do it with games remaining. I'd like Everton to be thinking a lot higher then 40 points in the future, but I take your point, from where we came in it's a great position for us to be in."

• On the pressure of having just two games left at Goodison Park: "The pressure the players and the club have been under in the last few years has been incredible. Our pressure now is to play well at Goodison for the supporters, for the families that have been here for years and years. It's not pressure of if we will survive or not. Obviously, a determination to do well for everyone that turns up to watch us."

• On Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna: "Great manager who half the country wanted last year. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think he's the only one to take a team from League One to Championship to the Premier League - an unbelievable achievement. We're all talking about Wrexham and it's amazing what Phil Parkinson has done, but Kieran has done it to the Premier League. Let's remember Ipswich is a club if you're of a generation, their teams were challenging for first division titles. He's done it at a real football club. He'll be disappointed with this season but I think he's done a brilliant job."

Listen to live commentary of Everton vs Ipswich on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 on Saturday

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

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Earlier, we asked you to name the current Everton player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is Ashley Young.

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The Blue Room's Warren Doyle has said he would not like to see Richarlison return to Everton this summer.

The Brazil striker left the Toffees in 2022 for Tottenham, but has been rumoured to be on the radar of his former club for the upcoming transfer window.

Richarlison has made just 12 league appearances for Spurs this season, scoring four goals.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Doyle said: "If you'd have asked me four months ago, I'd have bitten your hand off to have him back. I think he was obviously much loved by Evertonians and he's the type of player we miss now.

"Where I'm against it is Everton have been accused of being a club that doesn't look forward enough and re-signs ex-players and old managers. He's gone through a lot - he had that spell where he played for Brazil in the Olympics and then the World Cup.

"He played through the pain barrier with Everton because he was determined to get us out the relegation battle. I think that's had a detrimental effect on his career now. He's been very stop-start at Spurs and I don't think they've managed him well.

"It's a situation where I'd like to see Everton not go back. We'd like to see signings that don't come with the baggage Richarlison has, and I say that with the upmost respect because I love him."

You can listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

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Vitalii Mykolenko has nothing but positive things to say about life at Everton under David Moyes.

Aside from missing one game because of injury, the defender has started all Premier League matches since the Scot began his second spell in charge in January.

"The first few weeks were hard because everything was different," Mykolenko told the club's website., external

"But now it's all good, as you can see in the table. We are in good position and, in my opinion, we play much better than the past two years.

"He [Moyes] wants me to join in the attacks and he always says you not only have one job on the pitch, but two or three. I'm trying to be my best - not only in defence, but in attack as well.

"I like to play in attack and now I'm working with the coaching staff and the gaffer on that."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Vitor Pereira has revealed he almost joined Wolves' bitter rivals West Brom.

The Portuguese has had several opportunities to move to the Premier League over the last 15 years before being appointed at Molineux in December.

He spoke to Chelsea, Everton, Crystal Palace, Watford and Arsenal and admitted he held talks with the Baggies over a decade ago.

"Do you know how many meetings I had here? The first one, West Bromwich, in the Premier League, maybe 15 years ago," he told BBC Sport.

"The second? Everton. Third? Crystal Palace with the proposal, with the contract for two and-a-half years.

"OK, we can celebrate with a pint and then they changed the idea for another but I realised that is normal here.

"After that, Chelsea, then Everton again, then Arsenal. I had a very long, very good meeting with Arsenal before they signed (Mikel) Arteta.

"Watford was the only time that I said no. I didn't want to do it. It was the time that they were relegated."

His previous chance to come to England, before Molineux, was with Everton in 2022 when the Toffees were replacing Rafa Benitez, while he also spoke to them in 2019 as a possible replacement for Marco Silva.

"It was three times with Everton. With Everton, with the contract was agreed – everything – to start to work tomorrow. My bags were packed," he said.

"But when tomorrow came, it was a case of 'check in, check out, check in, check out, check in' – for one week.

"It was winter. It's a lot. It means now I'm very happy to be here.

"I'm very grateful to the club because they gave me the opportunity to be in the league that I believe gives me the opportunity to be at my best level.

"It challenges me and I need to be challenged. If I go to a league and tactically, I cannot express myself, that is not for me. But in this league, I can do it."

Image source, Getty Images

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says his "focus will always be Everton" as the striker enters the final months of his contract at Goodison Park.

The 28-year-old has played just three times since the return of David Moyes in January, but says talk about his future is not distracting him from his fight for fitness.

"When you pick up an injury your health becomes your main focus and you can't afford to think about anything else," he said.

"My main focus is making sure I am in the best condition, it's like going through a mini pre-season to get fit for these last four games.

"Regardless of what has happened or external things going on, any player would say that they want to finish the season fit and well."

Calvert-Lewin has scored 57 Premier League goals in 235 appearances for Everton, and says the club has played a big part in his life.

"I have a lot of respect for Everton Football Club, it's given me everything," he said.

"For me it's built a lot of experience, and I have a lot of fond memories.

"With the new manager coming in the club is moving in the right direction, there's a new stadium and there's a lot to be positive about. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"

Read more from Calvert-Lewin

Guess the current Everton player from these three clues:

• I joined Everton in 2023.

• I scored in a 4-0 win against Wolves in December 2024.

• I won the Premier League title with one of my former clubs.

Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer