Everton

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport senior journalist

Fourth in the Premier League, one point behind second, with a game in hand. An average of nearly two points per game from seven wins and three draws in 14 matches.

That is the alternative table if just away matches counted.

David Moyes' side have been highly impressive on the road this season, behind only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in terms of points gained.

Then again, Crystal Palace have accrued only one point fewer on enemy territory.

The reason Everton are eighth rather than in the thick of the Champions League places has been their form at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which has yet to offer much by way of home comfort.

However, unbeaten in six away from home, the Blues now face the ultimate test at league leaders Arsenal on Saturday – and history is against them.

Mikel Arteta's team, seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, have the best home record in the division.

Not only that, but only once in 30 years have Everton won at Arsenal. That was in April 2021, in front of an empty Emirates Stadium when Gunners keeper Bernd Leno gifted them a late winner.

Generally, this particular corner of north London has proved harrowing for Everton supporters, although last season's 0-0 draw at least ended a run of 10 straight defeats in front of fans at Arsenal.

So far this season, Everton have scored 16 goals on the road (from an xG of 15.4), averaged just under three shots on target per game and commanded 39.5% possession.

Being dogged, resolute and packing a punch on the counter has been a successful blueprint to wins at Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle in recent months.

On Saturday, opportunity knocks to prove an unlikely thorn in Arsenal's title challenge.

Moyes will relish it.

Image source, Getty Images

Since his arrival on Merseyside in summer 2023, Beto has yet to prove the goalscoring striker Everton fans crave.

Twenty goals in 103 appearances works out at just less than one every five matches, so not the numbers to fire the Toffees to European football.

However, according to Brentford owner Matthew Benham, the 28-year-old ought to be viewed through more forgiving eyes.

And, with his data expertise, Benham ought to know. After all, he's been the mastermind behind recruiting prolific strikers Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo in west London.

"When we played Everton at our place last year, Beto missed three one on ones," Benham told the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference 2026, external.

Yet Benham argues the Guinea international is of higher worth than those statistics suggests.

"Any decent data model worth its salt would give Beto an upgrade [based on the performance against Brentford]," he said. "That is the case for any player who happens to make three one-on-ones in a single game, even if they happen to miss them.

"Typically for a one-on-one, the odds are 50/50 that you will score. You might say he's less efficient but the fact he is getting the positions for the shot is more important to us."

A few more goals would still be nice though.

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A football free weekend for Everton has been a great time to take stock, assess and refresh as we enter the final knocking of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Currently sitting eighth and very much in the European mix, this season has been somewhat refreshing compared to the misery of recent years.

The transition to Hill Dickinson Stadium has been anything but smooth – despite a promising start – which makes our current standing all the more impressive.

Everton's away form has been simply incredible. Joint third in terms of away points this season, with a 50% win ratio to boot.

It has been this impressive form that is to thank for our current league position. You also have to wonder what might have been if we could have mirrored it at home.

I have discussed previously that our inconsistency is our most consistent aspect this season, as is evident at a host of clubs who are clambering for those top half places.

Consistency is and will be built, as we navigate through the next few transfer windows and become more comfortable in our new river side surroundings.

There are murmurings that this summer will be an exciting one in relation to signings.

With our commercial revenue only going one way and a new, improved shirt sponsorship deal on the brink of being signed off, our owners will be keen to not rest on their laurels.

Before we can enjoy what's to come, we have the not so little task of travelling to the Emirates Stadium this Saturday.

Given Arsenal's comfortable position on top of the table, I'm sure their fans see our three points as a forgone conclusion.

It's understandable and justified, but don't forget about that away form....

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Wayne Rooney sits down with former team-mate Francis Jeffers to retrace a career that began with a boyhood Everton dream.

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Falcon Blues TV's Lee McClean says the reaction of Everton fans to Dwight McNeil's substitution against Burnley on Tuesday will have "meant a hell of a lot" to the winger.

McNeil's prospective January move to Crystal Palace collapsed on deadline day, with his partner criticising Palace for "messing" with the winger's mental health

"That was the highlight of the night for me," McClean told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Dwight McNeil has not looked the same player over the last few months or maybe a year for well-documented reasons.

"They are private to him but you never know what's going on behind closed doors and the man has clearly been suffering. So, to show the strength of character to come out and put performances in like he did last night - he's got quality.

"McNeil has never had pace, that's his issue, and he's very one-footed but nobody can doubt his pedigree, quality, and ability to split a defence with a pass.

"His output is there and when he's on it and his head is on it he works so hard as well. As well as being really brave on the ball, he covered lots of ground, he supported the right-back. He was involved in the second goal and showed another lovely touch.

"I was hoping they would take him off so he gets the standing ovation so when I saw his number come up and the reaction from all four sides of the ground - you just know that will have meant a hell of a lot to him given what he's been through."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Pundits Micah Richards and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from the midweek Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Everton and Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans:

Ian: Nice to see us transfer that away form back to our new home. Burnley didn't put up much of a fight but let that take nothing away from our performance. Great work rate all round, desire to win the ball and much better movement of the ball. Extra mention for Dwight Mcneil who has been excellent in the last two games after that disappointment of the move that never was. It shows character so I'm happy for him. Beto has been better too. We're still a work in progress but we are starting to show progress.

Anton: I don't know what the problem is, we've a 100% home record in March! We've got to thank Burnley, though, for graciously not bothering to turn up - they were so, so poor. But we can only beat what's in front of us and we finally did that at home. Shout-out to McNeil who was excellent - a "Grealish who?" kind of display, made up for him. Let's keep pushing for that improbable European place!

Mike: A solid performance and a welcomed home win. To have 43 points at this stage is a great haul and but for a few wobbles could have been even better. Some very tough fixtures ahead but let's hope we can relax a bit and who knows where we can finish.

Harry: Credit where it's due, two wins on the bounce is no time to criticise but definitely time to say it feels good to be looking up and knowing we will have a good summer regardless of the rest of the season. If we do qualify for Europe better players will want to join us.

Burnley fans:

Steve: This team is frightened of its own shadow, the team lack ideas, momentum and direction.

Billy: It was so lack lustre again. It was like they didn't know how to play any sort of football. All players on top of each other, no sort of system or idea. They missed Zian Flemming too, he seems to be the only one in recent games that gives it absolutely everything. Think they lack confidence and not having a focus of how to play knocks their confidence even more. Bring on the championship and use the experience they've gained to be stronger when they come back, hopefully.

Bob: I'm sure I'm not the only one who is so fed up with Scott Parker trotting out the same tired excuses after almost every game. Despite the heroics against Brentford ( and we still lost) It's painfully obvious that he's not the only one to blame. A complete reset is needed starting with Alan Pace & co.

Mark: Terrible, been poor all season. Manager is just a good lower league one at best, Burnley should had said thanks after promotion and got in a premier quality manager. They look like a mediocre championship side still.

Image source, Getty Images

David Moyes has got something "really, really special" at Everton right now, says former striker Jermaine Beckford.

Having battled against relegation in recent seasons, the Toffees are now looking up the table with a chance to secure European football for next campaign.

They secured their first home win of 2026 on Tuesday night and now sit in eighth, which, depending on permutations elsewhere, could yet be enough for a spot in Europe.

"David Moyes is a phenomenal coach," Beckford told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "I've been fortunate enough to work with him during my time. I know what he is capable of, what he focuses on and what he prides himself on.

"He prides himself on hardworking players, really well organised, really well disciplined. This season especially he has got a lot of big players, physically big players, but they've got a lot of technique about them as well. You mix that in with a bit of stardust like Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and you've got something really, really special. That is what he has got.

"If you watch Everton, especially at home, they play good football but results-wise have not been great. A few games where they have looked impressive but not been able to get the goal to get them over the line. But against Burnley they were real really good.

"With Liverpool's defeat last night, they will be licking their lips and thinking 'wow, we are only five points away from them, what is possible?'. The possibilities are endless, aren't they?"

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds from 1'25"00

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says Everton could "sneak in" to the European places if they can improve their home form over the rest of the season.

The Toffees' win on Tuesday was their first at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for 87 days, but took them to up to eighth and just five points behind their city rivals in fifth and the likely last Champions League place.

"It is congested but David Moyes can lean on his experience with his staff," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They have been there before with West Ham so they have done that side of it.

"You have to look at their recruitment and the players they bought in during the summer - it has been brilliant.

"[Kiernan] Dewsbury-Hall got a goal against Burnley. I think he has been arguably one of the signings of the summer.

"You need workhorses in the midfield who also provide quality and get you goals.

"They just have a sprinkling of game-changers with Iliman Ndiaye and players like that but they also have a strong backbone and goalkeeper as well.

"They have got the ingredients to get over the line. The big thing is turning their home form into more victories and not rely so much on their away form. If they do that I think they could sneak in."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

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When Ndiaye was substituted in stoppage with his side 2-0 up, he took a moment to soak it all in.

The forward signed merchandise, shook hands and applauded supporters as he made his way around the perimeter of the pitch to the sound of a standing ovation from an exuberant Hill Dickinson crowd.

Who could blame him? It was a moment he and his team-mates had waited nearly three months for.

The Senegal international - as has so often been the case this season - was among the standout performers as the Blues strengthened their push for European qualification with a first home victory in 87 days.

There is no denying that the transition since leaving Goodison Park - their home of 133 years - has been a difficult one.

But heading into Tuesday's contest with just four wins from 14 games at Hill Dickinson Stadium was simply not good enough.

It was a record that threatened to undermine the progress made in a campaign that - after reaching the 40-point mark in 28 games for only the second time in nine seasons, has the potential to be a memorable one.

But that promise will only be realised if Everton can settle into life on Liverpool's Waterfront and banish their recent home struggles.

If Ndiaye's full-time reaction is anything to go by, Everton may at least be settling into life on the banks of the River Mersey.

Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-0 win over Burnley: "Back-to-back wins in the Premier League at the moment is hard for anybody. And it's been difficult for us over the last month or two but certainly a really good win tonight.

"The win we got at Newcastle gave us confident going into tonight's game. I thought it showed in the way we played. I thought for long periods we dominated the ball. We maybe didn't make as many chances as we'd like but in the end we got a couple of goals."

On being close to the European places: "I want to be positive, and I want to believe and I want the players to believe. I have said to them right at the start, that should be what we aim for if we can try and do it. It's getting closer. I'm not saying we can do it and I'm not saying we cannot. We're not being talked about as a club that's in relegation and falling away. We actually think we're a club that's making progress and we can start tickling the top teams and putting them under a bit of pressure."

You can listen to more from Moyes on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Everton have recorded their first win in seven Premier League home games (D2 L4). Meanwhile, this was the Toffees' first victory this season against promoted opposition (D3 L1), and first since last May in what was their final game at Goodison Park (2-0 vs Southampton).

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 Burnley's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Everton manager David Moyes has named an unchanged side from Saturday's 3-2 win at Newcastle United, with forward Beto starting ahead of Thierno Barry for the second time in four days.

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

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

Scott Parker, meanwhile, has made one change from Saturday's last-gasp 4-3 defeat to Brentford, with Hannibal Mejbri replacing Zian Flemming.

Forward Flemming, who scored against the Bees on Saturday, is not in the match-day squad.

Burnley: Dubravka, Humphreys, Worrall, Esteve, Walker, Pires; Ugochukwu, Florentino, Mejbri; Foster, Anthony

Subs: Weiss, Hartman, Bruun Larsen, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Laurent, Barnes, McMahon-Brown

Could Everton finish in the top eight and secure a European place?

Following their win at Newcastle's St James' Park on Saturday, the Toffees have moved up to eighth with 40 points and are in the thick of the battle for a return to European competition

The Observer's Rory Smith believes it is still too close to call, but as we get into the business-end of the season they have every chance if they keep their form going.

"Everton fans would see Europe this season as a massive overperformance," said Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "David Moyes deserves a huge amount of credit this season for keeping them in the mix of it, given their squad didn't have the investment in the summer like most do and the glaring holes they have.

"Jarrad Branthwaite is probably their best player and has barely played this season, for example. They have plenty of good players but Branthwaite is outstanding.

"From fifth to 14th in the Premier League is still in play so it will come down to who is on a good run of form when the music [games] stops."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Everton will be looking to arrest a sharp decline in their home form when Burnley make the relatively short trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).

Toffees can't sugar-coat home struggles

The Toffees, who sit eighth, won five of the first nine league games at their new ground on the banks of the River Mersey, but they are winless in their past seven, their worst run at home since going nine without a victory at Goodison Park between April and October 1998.

Back-to-back losses at home to Bournemouth and Manchester United were followed up by an impressive 3-2 win over Newcastle United in a lively game at St James' Park on Saturday. Everton haven't lost three home league matches in a row since September 2023 (a run of four).

The conversation in the aftermath of the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United focused on Everton's bombardment of Senne Lammens' goal via 10 corner kicks, to no avail. Such tactics perhaps speak to a wider creativity problem for the Toffees, given only four teams have scored fewer goals at home this season.

Just seven of Everton's 16 home goals (43.75%) in the Premier League have come from open play, the joint-fewest of any club (along with Crystal Palace).

Thierno Barry's uptick in form continued against the Magpies; his late winner made him the Blues' outright top scorer in the league with six. All of the Frenchman's goals have come in his past 14 appearances, after none in his first 14.

So near yet so VAR for Clarets

Burnley head coach Scott Parker accepted that "the fine margins of technology" had denied his side a stoppage-time equaliser in the remarkable 4-3 defeat by Brentford at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets, 19th and eight points from safety, were 3-0 down at half-time, but battled back admirably and thought they had rescued a point through Ashley Barnes before VAR intervened and his effort was ruled out for handball.

One man who did get on the scoresheet was Zian Flemming. The Dutchman is level with Jaidon Anthony as Burnley's top scorer in the league this season with seven.

Six of those goals have come away from home; only Chris Wood, who got seven in 2020-21, has scored more on the road in a campaign for the Clarets in this competition.

One telling problem for Burnley is how many of their goals come when they are already behind, as was the case with all three against Brentford. They have scored more league goals when losing than any other side in the division this season, with 21, showing that while their resilience is admirable, their inability to go ahead in games is costly.

For all that Tuesday's hosts may have struggled at home recently, Burnley have a dreadful record when visiting the blue half of Merseyside. They have won just three of their past 21 away games against Everton, drawing three and losing 15.

The previous two Premier League meetings between sides managed by David Moyes and Parker have ended 0-0, including a drab affair at Turf Moor in December.

Only two managerial match-ups have had three consecutive goalless draws in the competition: George Graham vs Gerry Francis (Arsenal v QPR, 1992-1994) and Brian Little vs Alex Ferguson (Aston Villa v Manchester United, 1996-1997).

You have to feel for Burnley after their brave comeback against Brentford ended in a dramatic late defeat. They have shown plenty of fight recently but that might have knocked the stuffing out of them a bit.

Everton could really do with a positive result at home after picking up two points from their past six games at their new stadium.

The Toffees got such a brilliant win at Newcastle on Saturday, when every time Newcastle got back in it, Everton scored again.

If they play like that again, they will win.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Just when Everton looked like they had taken two steps back again, look what they go and pull out the bag.

Fresh off seeing Newcastle cruise through their Champions League tie, few inside St James' Park would have imagined what was about to unfold, as Everton managed to come from behind twice within 90 seconds to mark three straight home league defeats on Tyneside.

It was arguably Everton's most complete display of character this season, largely due to players like Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye and Jarrad Branthwaite finally looking back to their best.

But the ultimate example of this strength of character must be Jordan Pickford.

Long has England's reigning (and undoubted) number one been the subject of underserved criticism and ridicule. That save in the 94th minute to seal three points is beyond world class. Of the 50,000 attendees in St James' Park on Saturday, I doubt many will ever see a better save in their lifetime. To react that fast to the sweetest of travelling strikes at that speed is totally outrageous.

It is not just a great save – it is one of the greatest ever saves in Premier League history.

Absolutely magnificent and utter dynamite, it's mesmerising. Please let's start giving him the plaudits he so rightly deserves. Pickford has never let Everton, nor England, down. Moments like this demand recognition rather than scepticism. At some point, the applause must be as emphatic as his performances. That wasn't even his first world-class save this season.

But the challenge for Pickford and for Everton now is consistency. Everton must back this up on Tuesday. Great saves and dramatic comebacks are brilliant on the road, but they only really matter if backed up at home. This season Everton have found that incredibly difficult.

For now, it's back to positivity and back to thinking about Europe again!

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On teams news, Moyes said: "We have a couple of things I wouldn't want to reveal at the moment. Alcaraz is out, Coleman picked up something - not serious - on Friday. He won't be available but hopefully not too long."

• Moyes stated Everton still "need more goals" from strikers Thierno Barry and Beto. While upbeat on their recent input, he added: "I don't think the numbers are the numbers I want. I want centre forwards to have far more goals. To spread that number out is good. We need a bigger return from them."

• Asked about using two strikers at the same time, he said: "Possibly at times. It's probably out of fashion having two strikers now for maybe 20 years. Lots of things have come in, long throws, set-piece goals, so who knows? Two centre forwards may be the future. Will we do it? We might do if we need to but I don't think all the time."

• On reaching 40 points: "Quite a lot of satisfaction. We have got there with 10 games to go. I have always been looking beyond 40 points but there is always something in the back of your mind - the recent history has not been much better than reaching that total. I've talked about us doing more than that and hopefully we can do."

• Moyes said he doesn't think there is "huge expectation" on his side to beat Burnley but stressed "back-to-back wins would be hugely important for us".

• The Everton boss was asked about home versus away form and said he doesn't ask his team to play too differently but showing more ambition at home has at times left them a little more open. He added: "If we have to take all the points away from home and don't do so well as home, if you look through the history books and look at the teams who have moved to new stadiums, it's never been that easy, certainly in the first year."

• On Dwight McNeil's return to the side in the aftermath of him nearly joining Crystal Palace, Moyes said: "I didn't at any moment doubt Dwight, how he would react and play. He trained really well last week so he got himself an opportunity. We have been trying to find the right balance. A lot of them are young boys. Dwight gave us that bit of experience."

• Moyes was also asked about Jordan Pickford's fine save to deny Sandro Tonali at Newcastle on Saturday: "We couldn't give it much more praise than we did do. To get his hand to it and onto the bar, a brilliant save so well done. We've all picked out great saves over many years, from Gordon Banks to Scottish keepers too, but I have to say, it was a great save."

Hit play above to hear more from Moyes or listen on BBC Sounds here

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

Listen to commentary of Everton v Burnley on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds at 19:30 on Tuesday

Got a question about Everton? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

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

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Richard: Nick Woltemade and Anthony are Championship standard at best. Who on earth gave the OK to spending a fortune on these two? Aaron Ramsdale has got to take over from Nick Pope, who is too error prone. Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento and Bruno Guimaraes are sorely missed.

Adam: Our season in a nutshell. We have to work incredibly hard to score goals, but we concede effortlessly.

Barry: Worst performance I've seen for a long time. No cohesion, no vision, wasting so much time on the edge of the area without putting the ball in. Can someone at United please do analysis of how many moves Elanga screws up? Jordan Pickford's amazing save prevented a draw but, to be honest, we didn't deserve it.

Paul: When we start slow, we stay slow. When we start fast, we win.

Everton fans

Carl: It's nice to reach 40 points by February! (Be still my beating heart!!) Not sure about European qualification as I don't think our squad is quite good enough yet. Still... onwards and upwards for all Toffees supporters.

Tom: Save of the season. Hands down. This boy delivers season after season.

Dave: Everton were their typical selves - hard-working and resilient in defence. But Newcastle will always struggle while they believe Dan Burn is the answer. We played three central defenders, all miles better than him. Burn was made to look poor by both Beto and Thierno Barry - which is saying something. But going home very happy and a big thank you to Dan Burn for three points.

Lee: Gritty, determined - never gave up! In Moyes we trust!

Everton striker Beto has said he needs "to adapt, keep working" and "show I want to be here" after scoring on his first start of 2026 in Saturday's 3-2 win at Newcastle.

"I want to keep playing more - starting and helping the team," said Beto.

"I felt that the second goal gave us a boost of confidence, and myself personally.

"I'm pleased with my all-round game. It was a tough game. They have really strong and fast defenders. I just needed to put in mind to hold it, set for someone and then you go. I am always training to improve in this because I lack a little bit in that part of the game.

"It was really good, I'm pleased but I think I can do better.

"We are playing really good away from home and we want to bring those points to Hill Dickinson Stadium to start making out stadium our fortress."

Beto's goal was his fifth this season, with four of those coming in the Premier League, but the 28-year-old added: "I am not liking my season personally because I am not scoring the goals I had in my mind I was supposed to score.

"But this is football. You need to adapt, keep working and, when you have the opportunity, you need to score."

Hit play above for more from Beto or listen on BBC Sounds here