Chelsea 2-0 Everton: What Moyes saidpublished at 17:34 GMT 13 December 2025
17:34 GMT 13 December 2025
Media caption,
Everton manager David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea: "Losing Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] was a blow to us but I thought we adapted quite well. I know we've come away with a disappointing result but it wasn't a disappointing performance. We did a lot of really good things today.
"Maybe we played one of our best games away from home, we've had some very good results away from home. But we couldn't finish it off, we just dropped a couple of runners at times when they showed quality. We pushed them close and that's what we have to try and do.
"Jack [Grealish] had a great chance to make it one each, then we crossed one right into the goalie's arms, he distributes it quickly and they get the goal from it right on half-time.
"It felt a bit unfair on us because I thought for long periods we did well. I wouldn't say dominated because Chelsea had a lot of the ball as well.
"We played well, I've no complaints from the players except the final third stuff - if you don't take the chances you don't win the game.
"We stuck at it, we were never out of the game and were always a threat. We'll go away, look at it and hopefully do better next time."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Fulham", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Evertonpublished at 11:38 GMT 13 December 2025
11:38 GMT 13 December 2025
Chelsea were excellent against Arsenal at the end of November, when they got a draw after going down to 10 men, and I was thinking here we go, they could possibly be title contenders.
Since then, however, they were outfought by Leeds, looked flat against Bournemouth and this week got turned over by Atalanta in the Champions League.
So Enzo Maresca really needs a win here to get back on track, but it won't be easy because Everton are such a dangerous team.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye are playing really well and Everton have got a bit of momentum at the moment.
On form you would probably back Everton, while the most sensible prediction would probably be a draw, but I am not going to be sensible.
They have not given me any real reason to back them recently, but I just have a feeling Chelsea will take this one because they are at home and they are due a win.
Chelsea v Everton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:03 GMT 12 December 2025
19:03 GMT 12 December 2025
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea attempt to end a winless run of four games when they take on an Everton side who have won four of their past five matches.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Saturday's meeting at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea in need of a win
Chelsea's drop-off in form continued in midweek as they let a one-goal lead slip to lose 2-1 at Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The result is reflective of underwhelming performances in the Premier League in recent weeks. A credible draw against leaders Arsenal on 30 November was followed by a shock defeat at Elland Road, before Chelsea laboured to a goalless stalemate at Bournemouth.
It is the second time this season that Chelsea have gone three Premier League matches without winning and their current tally of 25 points after 15 games is six fewer than at this stage last season.
There has been a significant decline in Chelsea's underlying numbers in both defence and attack during their current winless run and Enzo Maresca must once again cope without the services of key midfielder Moises Caicedo, who serves the final game of a three-match suspension.
Image caption,
Chelsea have struggled in attack and defence in recent matches
Everton target first league win at Chelsea since 1994
Chelsea have not lost at home to Everton in the Premier League for 31 years and while the fixture may appear to be a welcome one on paper, Caicedo's absence could prove crucial against the in-form visitors.
This is the quickest Everton have reached 24 points since 2020-21, when Carlo Ancelotti was manager and James Rodriguez operated at number 10.
The Toffees remained seventh – their current position in 2025-26 – until March of that season, when they went to Stamford Bridge and lost 2-0.
Everton then won just three of their final 12 games to fall away from the European places and finish 10th.
Ancelotti left in June 2021 and Everton's financial troubles took hold during the subsequent reigns of Rafael Benitez, Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, which resulted in two scrapes with relegation.
We may be at an earlier stage of the current campaign, but the trip to Stamford Bridge still feels like a litmus test of Everton's capability to challenge for European football for the first time since Ancelotti's departure.
Dewsbury-Hall returns to Chelsea
While Rodriguez may no longer be in situ, Everton can still call on an impressive number 10.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton from Chelsea for an initial £24m last summer after struggling for regular football in west London and he has excelled on Merseyside, missing just one game because of suspension.
The 27-year-old's form has surged in recent weeks, scoring the winner at Old Trafford, a goal-of-the-month nominee against Newcastle and starring in Everton's maiden Premier League win at Bournemouth.
He then scored again in the 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest last weekend, an integral part of Everton's run of four wins in five matches despite dropping into a number-eight role to cover for the suspended Idrissa Gueye.
"He is a really good footballer, a dedicated footballer," said manager David Moyes after the win over Forest. "We have given him the chance to play regularly which he missed at Chelsea. He's had to play deeper, but his performances have been very good."
The quandary for Moyes now is whether to stick or twist, with Gueye once again available – but only for one game until he travels to the Africa Cup of Nations, along with winger Iliman Nidaye.
Dewsbury-Hall will be desperate to make an impact against his former employers whatever his selected position, although former Everton midfielder Leon Osman believes that his long-term future is in a deeper role.
"His best position will be as a number eight, a little bit deeper and box to box," he said.
"But that's not taking away from the fact he's played further forward because of the make-up of the team and has still been one of Everton's best players.
"He'll play passes but also make channel runs either side of the striker and not many number 10s do that.
"So he's doing that brilliantly but I think as his career progresses, and Everton progress as a team, there's every chance he'll make his way a little further back."
Moyes on injuries, Barry's mood & winning at Stamford Bridgepublished at 15:19 GMT 12 December 2025
15:19 GMT 12 December 2025
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There is good news regarding Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Rohl, who are "back on the grass". He added: "Merlin is obviously much further on in his recovery than Jarrad, but hopefully there is a chance we get them both back soon."
Tyler Dibling, Carlos Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil are all "keen to get minutes and get put into the side" as Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye prepare to report to Senegal for Afcon on Monday.
Having won four of their past five Premier League matches, Moyes addressed Everton's goals for the season: "We are playing well and we want to keep going with the things we are doing. We want to get in a strong position and keep on challenging near the top if that's possible."
Thierno Barry's mood has "changed greatly" since he netted his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest. He explained: "The goal has hugely made a difference in him, but I had sensed it for a little while. He's settled in more now, he's training better and he's looking more comfortable in the actions we're asking him to do."
On why no Premier League side has won more away games since he took charge of Everton: "It's great. When I came in, the situation was that we hadn't got many points on the road at the time, so it shows what the players are capable of. Their work, resilience and effort has been impeccable."
While Everton have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1994, but he was keen to point out "a similar stat got rolled out before the Bournemouth and Manchester United games".
Chelsea are a club "heading in the right direction" despite being "criticised for the way they were going about their business", so he is expecting to take on a "huge opponent".
On Chelsea's main threat: "Their attacking players. They have four wingers and you never know which ones are going to play. They also have one of England's top players in Cole Palmer. They have a really big attack available to them, so that will be the biggest thing for us to deal with."
He praised Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for being "excellent" since joining Everton from Chelsea in August: "He has brought us calmness at times and has looked a really comfortable footballer. Maybe he just needed a little bit more attention and love. The supporters have taken to him greatly here."
When asked about Nottingham Forest contacting the PGMOL about James Tarkowski off-the-ball clash with Dan Ndoye, he replied: "I've not heard anything from my secretary. The decision was made on the field and very rarely do the FA alter what they do or what they think."
I used to write to Ferguson in jail - Rooneypublished at 09:04 GMT 12 December 2025
09:04 GMT 12 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Former Everton forward Wayne Rooney has revealed that club legend Duncan Ferguson was his "idol" throughout his younger years, adding that he used to write to the former Toffees striker while he was in prison.
Ferguson was sentenced to three months in prison in October 1995 for headbutting John McStay while playing for Rangers against Raith Rovers in April 1994.
The first of Ferguson's two playing spells at Everton began in October 1994, when former manager Mike Walker brought him in on a three-month loan deal, only to be signed permanently by his successor Joe Royle.
Ferguson was then sold to Newcastle United for a fee of £8m in November 1998 before moving back to Goodison Park for a fee of £3.75m in August 2000.
"My idol was Duncan Ferguson," said Rooney in his latest podcast episode. "When I was a young boy supporting Everton, I used to write to him in jail and he would write back to me.
"This was when I was 12 years old or something like that - and then four years later I was playing alongside him.
"I was too young to drive back then as well, so he would take me home from training. My family were all massive Evertonians, so when he would pull up outside my family home, my dad would be out the window.
"My letters were basically me telling him how much I love him. When I eventually met him face-to-face, I told him it was me writing to him him and that was surreal."
Will Everton be 'history-busters'?published at 19:09 GMT 10 December 2025
19:09 GMT 10 December 2025
Ian Kennedy BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Stamford Bridge may not be the high on the list on desirable away venues for Everton fans given their record there.
No league victories at Chelsea since Paul Rideout scored the winner in 1994. That's 31 years ago!
But David Moyes takes his team there on Saturday not only on the back of a good home win over Nottingham Forest, but also two successive and significant away wins.
Manchester United, where they had not won since 2013, and Bournemouth, where they had never won in the Premier League. And both with clean sheets too.
It will be a tough ask to make it three in a row, but just at the moment, Everton seem to be history-busters!
And if the players can feed off that, then why not?
They have players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in excellent form, and can last week's first goal for Thierno Barry be a turning point for him?
Idrissa Gana Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are now available too after suspension. It makes for a fascinating match.
Everton open to right-back move in Januarypublished at 14:04 GMT 10 December 2025
14:04 GMT 10 December 2025
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Everton are in the market to sign a right-back in the January transfer window in a position where they have injuries, ageing players and makeshift options filling in.
The Toffees have shown signs of progress and they are content with the current squad, although they are aware a right-sided addition could help.
Usual starter Seamus Coleman, 37, has been injured and started just once, while Nathan Patterson, who has also had fitness problems, has not featured at all in the Premier League.
Centre-back Jake O'Brien has since come in and started the majority of the matches, with midfielder James Garner also filling in on a temporary basis.
However, there is a keenness to get Garner playing solely in midfield amid his own excellent run of form.
Everton's ability to cope with issues at right-back mean that they will only make a move if a perfect option becomes available and otherwise there is a willingness to wait until the summer of 2026. Vitinho, from Brazilian club Botafogo, is among those who have been linked with a January move.
Everton have won four of their last five matches and are currently seventh in the Premier League and making a surprise European push.
Manager David Moyes has reiterated his desire in recent weeks to make a real effort to qualify for Europe, while insisting his side remain outsiders.
He said: "This club should be challenging for Europe or be in Europe. But I think people need to give us time and understand how bad it's been in the past few years. I'm going for it and so are the players. Our aim is to try to do that. The players know that."
'Bucking the trend' with 'a genuine bargain'published at 10:43 GMT 10 December 2025
10:43 GMT 10 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won honours with Chelsea – but it is Everton who have handed the gifted midfielder the platform to shine.
Dewsbury-Hall picked up winners' medals in the Club World Cup when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey, having previously figured in the Europa Conference League final victory against Real Betis in Wroclaw.
These were only brief cameos, however, reflecting a season on the margins at Stamford Bridge following a £30m move from Leicester City, despite signing a six-year contract.
Dewsbury-Hall played in 31 games in all competitions, having been signed by Enzo Maresca, who he had played under when the Foxes won the Championship. He scored four goals.
Everton saw the chance to pounce on his frustration to complete a £28m deal in the summer, which has been a resounding success.
The Toffees' recent history is littered with big-money buys who have failed to flourish, examples being Amadou Onana, who was sold to Aston Villa for £50m, and former Ajax captain Davy Klassen, who played only 16 times following a £25m move.
In contrast, Dewsbury-Hall has settled superbly, making an outstanding contribution to Everton's good start to the season.
The 27-year-old is the key central component of a trio of Everton creative players behind their striker, alongside Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye.
Dewsbury-Hall has offered vital goals to go with his tireless work ethic, including spectacular winners in the victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers and in a landmark Everton win at Manchester United.
He was also on target in the 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium, as well as providing the delivery from which Nikola Milenkovic scored an early own goal
Dewsbury-Hall's form has even prompted talk of an England call-up, although this is a long shot because his central position behind the striker – although he prompts in all areas of the pitch – is one of head coach Thomas Tuchel's over-populated and highly-competitive areas.
For now, Everton will simply be delighted that Dewsbury-Hall, along with Ndiaye, is bucking the trend of so much money wasted on under-achieving players in recent times by proving a genuine bargain at £28m.
'Can we talk about Dewsbury-Hall?' published at 13:37 GMT 9 December 2025
13:37 GMT 9 December 2025
Briony Bragg Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Can we talk about Dewsbury-Hall? At £25m, he is proving to be an absolute bargain and is quickly becoming one of the star signings of this Premier League season.
With three goals and an assist in his past five games, it is hard to believe Everton were one of very few suitors in the summer.
His versatility in the six, eight and 10 roles, particularly in central and defensive midfield has been a lifeline for David Moyes who is low on squad options in the absence of Merlin Rohl and recently Idrissa Gueye.
Crafting the opening goal and scoring the third, Dewsbury-Hall drove the heart of Everton's midfield against Nottingham Forest, who offered very little against a spirited Everton with Dewsbury-Hall the finest player on show.
After switching the teams round on the coin toss, it was a nightmare for a Sean Dyche team to concede so early in the game and Dewsbury-Hall was more than willing to exploit the space that opened for him thereafter.
His finesse, style and assurance contrasts greatly to his predecessors at the club. Though smaller in stature, his technical ability provides the opportunity to dictate the play more and build pressure - exactly what Everton fans want to see. He has settled into Merseyside beautifully.
He offers the type of sustained attacking dimension Everton have lacked for several seasons. Though successful sometimes, it was never consistent.
Dewsbury-Hall is bucking that trend, building attacks and driving forward transitions. With his stamina and intensity proving fruitful, Everton are now into one of the coveted European spots, finally looking up the table rather than down it.
In the spirit of the festive season - oh come let us adore him, Dewsbury-Hall.
Creative thinking has Everton purringpublished at 09:16 GMT 9 December 2025
09:16 GMT 9 December 2025
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Who is having a good season and who is having a stinker changes every week in the Premier League? Most pundits think Newcastle currently in 11th are struggling while Chelsea in fourth are having an impressive if sometimes erratic campaign.
But there are only three points between them, just one win, and there is nothing to choose between any team between those two in the table.
Lately, every week in this column I have homed in on a different 'smaller' club that has unexpectedly muscled their way into the top six. Now that list of Sunderland, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and the like have a new member, Everton.
Ok, Everton aren't exactly a small club historically but the trials and tribulations of recent years do qualify them for the unexpected group, when they sat in the top five on Sunday morning. It will not have been missed by any Evertonians that they are, on merit, above their neighbours Liverpool for the first time in a very long time.
What is the secret for my beloved Toffees this season?
David Moyes is once again proving what I have always bellowed from the sidelines - he is one of the very best managers around. The tactic of putting the creativity of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish together has worked exceptionally. Using those creative types all together sounds great theoretically but it doesn't always work and certainly not right away.
Liverpool's Alexander Isak. Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are a perfect - and far more expensive - example of the dangers, even if that trio will almost certainly come good in the end.
This is your Everton page. Hit 'follow' and you'll see more Everton content when you visit BBC Sport. You can also hit the bell icon if you're on the app and sign up for news notifications.
FA Cup third round draw detailspublished at 13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
13:45 GMT 8 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.
The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.
All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Everton 3-0 Nottingham Forest - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:59 GMT 8 December 2025
10:59 GMT 8 December 2025
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Here are some of your comments:
Everton fans
Steve: This team is slowly starting to evolve. We now have a greater number of very good technical players in the squad than ever before. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is benefiting from a long run in the team, along with Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish and James Garner. Jake O'Brien will eventually end up as the regular centre-back. All of a sudden, the prolonged absence of Jarrad Branthwaite isn't really affecting us. We're still a work in progress but, more importantly, the club is finally heading in the right direction.
Andrew: My first trip to the new stadium and what a performance. I was apprehensive about Forest, as they have some good players in their squad, but the Blue Boys harried and chased barely giving them a sniff. I'm pleased Thierno Barry finally got his goal and Dewsbury-Hall is really coming into his own. David Moyes is building something special and I'm starting to dream again!
Simon: After the last few years, Evertonians always expect the worst after a good result. Moyes has done a magnificent job. We can start looking upwards again, rather than being worried about relegation. We will no doubt have poor results along the way, but what an improvement from this time last year.
Forest fans
Andrea: Some good play individually, but not a great team effort. Too many balls going awry and some players looked like they needed resting. Ryan Yates added to the injury list and we are desperate for a few key players to return. Two steps forward and one step back.
Ian: Awful! A real lack of drive and control. There is no leadership on the pitch and the players are not taking responsibility. Bad signs.
Michael: The only positive from this display was Zach Abbott's performance. He played brilliantly and looked a natural in the Premier League. The rest of it was men against boys.
Carl: Sean Dyche will never change his style. He fights relegation everywhere he goes. He keeps teams up and takes the plaudits. They will lose top players if this continues.
A day of symmetry - but only to a point...published at 08:19 GMT 8 December 2025
08:19 GMT 8 December 2025
Laura Kenyon Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
On the face of it, a sense of symmetry underpinned Everton against Nottingham Forest.
Two sides with equal form, equal injury issues and with two pragmatic managers in either dugout.
What transpired, however, was far from balanced.
Everton taking the early lead tipped the pendulum in their favour and never did it swing the other way.
Forest - on the back foot - never really looking like scoring, even in promising positions.
The result is far from symmetrical: Everton emerging as surprise European contenders and Forest sucked back into the relegation mire just as they were beginning to pull clear.
Analysis: Barry up and running after long waitpublished at 16:01 GMT 7 December 2025
16:01 GMT 7 December 2025
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Thierno Barry has had a difficult time at Everton following his summer move to England.
With fellow forward Beto also struggling for goals, the 23-year-old has been given plenty of chances to make the striker position his own and against Nottingham Forest was making his 10th start for the club.
The statistics have not made pleasant reading for Barry, having managed just a solitary shot on target in his 16 previous appearances.
Despite that, he is a hugely popular player because of his other contributions to the team - working hard and winning plenty of headers.
But strikers are judged on goals and the longer the wait the more pressure that was on him - pressure that should now be eased with this goal.
It was a clinical finish by Barry, picking his spot well and calmly sending the ball beyond Sels.
He went off to a standing ovation in the second half and both he and the Everton fans will be hoping this is the start of a scoring run for the striker.
