Skip to Main Content
Text:  A  A  A

Opinion & Articles

Contributions from our editorial team, featured columnists and readers.

Moshiri's Legacy

Jim Keoghan
10/12/2024

The opening of the new stadium next year will likely form the basis of ‘Moshiri-Revisionism’, a favourable glow that will turn even more flattering over time as the horror of recent seasons fades from memory… but the overall picture of the departing owner isn’t great

The End: From Glory to a Whole New Ball Game. Everton 1985-1994

Rob Sawyer
07/12/2024

The concluding instalment of Gavin Buckland’s trilogy covering Everton in the Moores era, from the summer of 1985 to 1994 with the Blues in relegation peril

Goals aplenty for Blues but not for Calvert-Lewin

Michael Kenrick
04/12/2024

It's a midweek crunch 6-pointer as Everton take on fellow strugglers Wolves under the lights at Goodison Park

Dreadful deficiencies destroy Dyche's dogged defenders

Michael Kenrick
01/12/2024

Everton surrendered four goals after a promising start at Old Trafford where Beto failed to take his chances.

Everybody Rolls With Their Fingers Crossed

David Hardman
26/11/2024

Everton's quest to return to the top of the game may seem futile and the sold-out attendances incomprehensible, certainly for observers across the Pond, but the experience of the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham offer hope

Missed chances cost the Blues

Danny O’Neill
25/11/2024

For the first half an hour of the match, we played okay, but it quickly descended into a drab match between two poor teams. It had an inevitability about it. 

The End is Nigh (for Sean Dyche)

Steve Hogan
24/11/2024

At the moment, going to Goodison Park is a soul-destroying experience, for players and fans alike. I don't buy into the theory that no-one currently at the club has the power to remove Sean Dyche.

Manifest incompetence in the final third against 10-man Bees

Michael Kenrick
23/11/2024

Everton huffed and puffed but could not score despite Brentford being reduced to 10 men at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Dyche risks undermining his own argument regarding Ndiaye

Lyndon Lloyd
23/11/2024

The manager has responded to calls to move Everton’s best forward player into a No 10 role by suggesting that he doesn't yet have the experience or work-rate for it but neither the metrics nor the "eye test" seem to support the argument.

Looking for Dyche to be more positive-ish. There might be another storm brewing

Jim Wilson
20/11/2024

When you consider that the matter of Everton's stadium interest payments as they relate to PSR remains unresolved, our current position in the league is very worrying, especially when you look at the December fixtures.

Blues Brothers — Jack and Bert Sharp

Rob Sawyer
19/11/2024

The story of two brothers: one an international-standard cricketer and footballer who was named an Everton Giant earlier this century; the other having a career in the same sports, but something of a footnote in the Club's history

Misfits, Mysteries and Nearly-Men — Moise Kean

Lyndon Lloyd
15/11/2024

Rather than end up on the scrap heap after a rollercoaster start to his professional career, it seems as though the Italian striker is finally finding his groove in his native land

The First Twelve Steps

Gonzalo Franco
10/11/2024

The first 11 games of the season reveal a team in search of identity and stability. Defensive inconsistency and a lack of attacking power have hindered results, despite some moments of good football

Stalemate ensured by late Pickford wonder save

Michael Kenrick
09/11/2024

Everton travel to the London Stadium this weekend to face fellow strugglers West Ham, with Jarrad Branthwaite finally selected to start.

What happens when dogs no longer like the dog food?

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
06/11/2024

There’s no guarantee Sean Dyche can see us through to the end of the season, securing our “survival”. In fact the evidence is clear that in competitive terms Dyche is lagging his peers.

Blunt... to all of this

Paul Traill
03/11/2024

The football isn't pretty but, come on, we shouldn't have lost that. We shouldn't have even drawn it.

A Positive Step Backwards

Christine Foster
03/11/2024

This season needs fixing. A new approach, a better manager. Inspiration for the players.

South Coast Blues

Danny O’Neill
03/11/2024

Another week, another disappointing performance. It isn’t always about the result, but you want to be entertained and see the team perform.

Saints sucker-punch sinks sorry Toffees

Michael Kenrick
02/11/2024

Everton failed to create many real chances and allowed a rapid Southampton counter to win the game after Beto saw his close-range header smack the face of the bar

Beto's Role in a Struggling Everton Attack: Time to Shine or Move On

Ben Howard
31/10/2024

It’s time for Dyche to take a gamble and give Beto the minutes he needs

What Were the Chances of That?

Becky Tallentire
30/10/2024

A timely installment of Real Footballers' Wives featuring Maureen Temple, wife of Everton's FA Cup goalscoring hero Derek, who was born Maureen Molyneux in Dovecot on 31 August 1941 and sadly passed away this week

If not Dyche, then who...?

Matt Warnock
30/10/2024

Will the Friedkins take a chance on one of the up-and-coming managerial names, or will it just be another uninspiringly obvious appointment of whoever happens to be on the dole at that point in time?

Is Sean Dyche playing our strongest available team?

Jim Wilson
30/10/2024

There's much to be said about making changes at right-back but Dyche's centre of midfield pick baffles me

Born again Blue

Martin Mason
28/10/2024

I stopped watching the games, even on TV; I visited this site now and again but didn’t participate; I tried to even not read news about them or discuss with relatives and friends.

Young and Beto combine to steal a late point after Iwobi scores

Michael Kenrick
26/10/2024

Everton took on former boss Marco Silva and his half-decent Fulham under the lights, with Beto stealing a very late goal after Alex Iwobi had given them the lead.

Jamie Baker’s Beautiful Last Day

Rob Sawyer
22/10/2024

The touching story of a young Evertonian who was mascot for the Blues' clash with Manchester United in September 1986 and died from Leukaemia within hours of his special moment at Goodison Park.

Fun trip to Ipswich

Paul Traill
20/10/2024

There were times in the second half when we looked very good, an excellent shape and we brought the ball forward well and played good football.

One Glaring Absence

Lyndon Lloyd
20/10/2024

When the time comes next year to bid farewell to Goodison Park, the Everton heroes from the 1980s will be in attendance. One Club legend, however, looks likely to be a notable absentee from the reunion with no indication that he is willing to end his self-inposed exile from the Grand Old Lady

Two fantastic strikes secure Everton's first away win

Michael Kenrick
19/10/2024

Everton put in an excellent performance at Portman Road to secure heir first away win of the season with a fine win over Ipswich Town

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded...

David Hardman
18/10/2024

Over the last 32 years, the Premier League has become dominated by the Red Cartel. How’s that for a monopoly?

Realistically, who replaces Sean Dyche?

Robert Tressell
13/10/2024

Our current manager’s contract is up at the end of the season. Taking into account the dire circumstances Sean Dyche has had to put up with, he has surely earned a new contract. But taking into account the often dire football, question marks remain.

Everton takeover on course for December completion

Simon Harrison
09/10/2024

There has been some more clarity regarding The Friedkin Group takeover of Everton released by i News and carried elsewhere, apparently garnered from an article at the Josimar independent website.

Blues hold out against the Magpies

Danny O’Neill
07/10/2024

It wasn’t pretty to watch and arguably Newcastle should have won that. But we got a result and ground out a valuable point through dogged resilience

Everton hard to beat as Pickford saves Gordon's penalty

Michael Kenrick
05/10/2024

Doucoure had a goal ruled out for marginal offside before Goodison Park revelled in Anthony Gordon's penalty miss in this stalemate against Newcastle United

Full backs for the future

Robert  Tressell
30/09/2024

Whilst we’ve been good in spells this season (the points tally is lower than we deserve), we should be better.  What would make all the difference?  Good full-back play, that’s what. 

A sense of déjà vu

Dave Williams
29/09/2024

I thought it was so similar to the 3-2 win over them a couple of years ago; our first half was dreadful but we then came on strong after the break, scored the goals we needed, then shut up shop.

McNeil brace produces perfect response to a poor first half

Michael Kenrick
28/09/2024

Everton are back at Goodison Park to host Crystal Palace in the first of two back-to-back home games that they hope will finally yield a first Premier League win of the season.

Size Matters

Jon Sellick
26/09/2024

The Friedkin Group's millions will be welcomed. But money isn't what Everton need from them the most.

New ownership, and the opportunity for renewal & future excellence at Everton

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
26/09/2024

It is only through excellence across all areas of the club that we can hope to be a success by any measure in the future

We need to talk about Kevin: a defence of the DoF

Matt Warnock
26/09/2024

When the Friedkins take the helm, hopefully later this year, the impending expiration of Kevin Thelwell's contract will be one of the matters in their in-tray. An argument that he has at least laid the foundations on which we can hope to build a better future.

In Pursuit of the Dream

Christine Foster
26/09/2024

Too many teams are trying to develop the "expansive", possession-based style embodied by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City where there is merit in a more combative, front-foot style that is attacking but not dull to watch

With the Friedkins back in, the Moshiri years might finally be over

Lyndon Lloyd
23/09/2024

The Texas-based firm have now agreed a deal for Farhad Moshiri's majority stake but what can Evertonians expect from The Friedkin Group's ownership?

Who are The Friedkin Group and what is the opportunity ahead for them and Everton?

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
24/09/2024

Assuming that TFG's concerns over Everton's debts are assuaged and they acquire Moshiri’s shares, then as with their acquisition of Roma, the real work begins.

Wardrobe Malfunction

Paul Traill
22/09/2024

That last 10 minutes were nerve-wracking to the extreme, so it’s a positive we showed good resilience to hold on.

Everton hang on desperately for a point off the Foxes

Michael Kenrick
21/09/2024

Everton travel to the King Power Stadium this weekend for what is an important fixture despite how early it is in the season but Sean Dyche’s squad continues to be stretched.

So Close… It's Coming

Danny O’Neill
22/09/2024

We could have and should have won that. But we’re off the mark and have a point. In different circumstances, an away point would be welcome.

Young's penalty saved to end Everton's cup run

Michael Kenrick
17/09/2024

A much changed Everton side struggled for large periods of a difficult game against Southampton at Goodison Park before Young saw the 6th Everton penalty saved.

Villains Overcome Everton's Early Lead

Danny O’Neill
15/09/2024

They say lightning never strikes twice. Well, it did. Different circumstances, but it felt the same.

Everton achieve the impossible, squandering another two-goal lead

Michael Kenrick
14/09/2024

Everton achieved the impossible, squandering another 2-goal lead they had built up to shock Aston Villa, only to progressively collapse, with huge opportunities to win the game squandered by Calvert-Lewin

The Very Highest Standards

Jon Sellick
13/09/2024

Moyes may cast a shadow, but Evertonians must never lose sight of the fact that they deserve managers of the calibre of Howe and Arteta.

The Everton takeover saga – further analysis of the potential Textor bid

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
13/09/2024

To purchase Everton, Textor has to sell his holding in Crystal Palace, whether held directly or indirectly, and the ownership and control of that club is complex. So significant barriers exist, not all answers are known and in the meantime Everton’s competitive and financial position worsens under Farhad Moshiri.

Everton’s Ownership, Moshiri and John Textor – Part I

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
26/08/2024

Given Everton’s extreme cash requirements, it would seem the last thing we require is a purchaser relying on debt, possibly even greater debt than Everton already carry.

Everton’s Ownership, Moshiri and John Textor – Part II

Paul 'The Esk' Quinn
07/09/2024

There’s no questioning Textor’s desire to majority own and control a Premier League club. Whether he can and the possible reasons for doing so are discussed here

More Mirage than Goodison Maestro, James Lives on in Our Everton Imagination

Lyndon Lloyd
07/09/2024

A genuine, albeit injury-prone star, James Rodriguez passed by our Evertonian world more like a fleeting comet — the pandemic ensuring that fans didn't ever get to see him play a competitive game in the flesh. He departed in 2021 having delivered some magical moments nonetheless.

Ted and Alan Storey — Guardians of Goodison Park's Pitch

Rob Sawyer
04/09/2024

For four decades, the responsibility for keeping the famous Goodison Park playing surface in top-top condition lay with the Storey family

A Sledgehammer to the Solar Plexus

Lyndon Lloyd
02/09/2024

We Blues have had to endure some excruciating results over the years, usually a gut punch of reality just when we dared believe things were on the up. Saturday hit as hard as any, perhaps harder for some, but it's early enough to be corrected if the manager can turn things around

The Rewards of Mediocrity

Peter Fearon
01/09/2024

Football is one of the few areas of endeavour where rank mediocrity is richly rewarded.

Blues squander tremendous lead allowing three late goals in catastrophic collapse

Michael Kenrick
31/08/2024

Everton looked like a different side as Ndiaye and Iroegbunam inspired a tremendous performance that gave them a 2-0 lead with 3 minutes to go. But three tremendous crosses saw three ridiculous goals given up in the last 10 minutes to turn the game on its head.

Just another go around the Sean Dyche rollercoaster

Matt Warnock
28/08/2024

The Gaffer is, in football parlance, a streaky manager and accepting that as our truth may save you a few sleepless nights over the next few months. The big question then is why? And that's much harder to answer.

Everton secure comfortable win over Doncaster Rovers

Michael Kenrick
27/08/2024

Sean Dyche includes the three new summer signings yet to be handed their full Everton debuts in the team to face Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup while Seamus Coleman and James Garner return following injury.

Painful at the Lane

Danny O'Neill
25/08/2024

There’s no getting away from it, we were dreadful, and it was a painful watch. Tottenham bossed the midfield with ease and battered our flanks, giving the full-backs a torrid time by stretching the pitch.

Spurs onslaught compounded by woeful Pickford errors

Michael Kenrick
24/08/2024

Everton’s first away game of the 2024-25 season is a difficult one at Tottenham Hotspur with rookie Roman Dixon getting his debut at right-back

Shaped by Everton, a tribute to an unlikely Blue

Dan Sharratt
22/08/2024

Dan Sharratt shares his Everton story, inspired by his Dad, Rob, who died last year

Is Sean Dyche Really the Problem at Everton?

Matthew Parry
19/08/2024

Sean Dyche has been far from perfect in his time as Everton manager, but he has also done what his predecessors couldn’t by restoring relative stability and unity from the team on the pitch. Replacing Dyche must happen at some point but we have to acknowledge that we simply aren't ready for that yet.

Just the Start — A Long Way to Go

Danny O'Neill
18/08/2024

Disappointing result, but it’s one game with 37 more to go. Don’t write us off just yet. It’s a long season and there’s a long way to go.

Bright start descends into miserable farce

Michael Kenrick
17/08/2024

Everton began their final season at Goodison Park with a lively start against Brighton & Hove Albion but an early goal disallowed was just the beginning of a ridiculous descent into laughable farce with everything going wrong that could.

May We Live in Less Interesting Times

Lyndon Lloyd
15/08/2024

Stasis will remain the order of the day off the pitch but on it, Everton under Sean Dyche appear well-positioned to at least deliver the kind of mid-table mediocrity fans pined for a year ago following two gruelling battles against relegation

The DCL Replacements

Robert  Tressell
12/08/2024

A quick look at the likelier candidates for a possibly outbound Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Bella Ciao, Giallorossi

Danny O'Neill
11/08/2024

Danny reports on his day trip to Goodison Park's last pre-season friendly.

Premier League Squads: We will finish 12th

Robert  Tressell
04/08/2024

Robert Tressell compares the value of current Premier League squads and uses this as an indicator for possible outcomes by the end of the new season

Calvert-Lewin impasse isn't doing anyone any favours

Lyndon Lloyd
03/08/2024

He has indelibly written himself into the pages of Everton history but his legacy stands to be tarnished if he ends up seeing out his contract at Goodison and can't deliver goals or performances this coming season

Les Shannon — A Footballing Odyssey

Rob Sawyer
29/07/2024

Locally born, he served both Blue and Red during a long and varied career as a player, coach and manager that took him well beyond Britain's shores.

Jesper Lindstrøm Scouted: What Does 'Jobbe' Bring to Merseyside?

Toke Møller Theilade
28/07/2024

Danish football writer Toke Møller Theilade provides the low-down on the kind of player Everton have signed from Napoli

Talented but enigmatic, Onana's rich promise must now be fulfilled elsewhere

Lyndon Lloyd
23/07/2024

It so often felt as though Amadou Onana was playing within himself; as if it was better to save himself for bigger things and higher-profile occasions to come. He will feel he has taken a step up with his switch to Aston Villa while Everton have completed an excellent piece of business

The Everton Squad: Summer 2024

Sam Hoare
23/07/2024

Sam Hoare runs his eye over the Everton squad as it stands this summer, and muses over possible incoming players who could improve it.




Fan Articles and Talking Points posts are authored by outside contributors. Their views may not represent those of the site owners and their publication does not constitute an endorsement of the views held therein.
OK

We use cookies to enhance your experience on ToffeeWeb and to enable certain features. By using the website you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.