Michael Kenrick 09/05/2025 32comments  |  Jump to last

Down to the last three games of the season and Everton travel to take on Marco Silva's Fulham side at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Everton can still improve on their current 14th position in the Premier League but that would require a win, which is not what the current run of poor form would predict as The Blues have manaed to securre just one win in the last 10 games – a really attrocious run that is tantamaount to relegation form. 

David Moyes hads shown that he can inspire these players, who many agree are simply not good enough for the Premier League, but that almost magical spell has worn off almost completely in terms of vitally importnant goals from his strikers, which seem to have almost completely dried up.  

Domic Calvert-Lewin may be fit enough to start this one, while big question marks still hanging over his future at the club, and mixed messages suggesting perhaps he wants to stay, but no signature as yet on a deal that has reportedly been on the table since last year; the enigmatic striker is reported to have changed agents recently.

Uncertainty over the future of many of the squad continues to be a persistent theme, with 12 players out of contract and 4 loan players likely to return to their parent clubs. One exception might be Charly Alaraz, who has shown moments of inspiration, but is it enough for Everton to secure his permananent signature after they asiduously avoided the auntomatic buy-out clause if he started nine games while on loan?

Orel Managala and Jesper Lindstrom appear to have played their last games for Everton and seem certain to to go back, while there seems to have been a lot of talk about the other enigma that is Jack Harrison, who keeps being selected, apparently for his defensive duties: it certainly can't be for his abilities going forward, which are nothing if not highly frustrating.   

Abdoulaye Doucoure is another player who engenders mixed feelings, scorer of key gioals, he runs around a lot, and Everton tend to get better results when he plays, but he was missing last time for 'personal reasons', while the rumours mill claims that he won't accpet a neww contract if his wages are reduced. 

Dwight McNeil has proved his importance to the side and we have arguably missed his contribution during the many weeks he was out injured. But that grat goal was probably his only meaningful contribution last week: like almost the entire Everton squad, he needs to do better, be more involved, and drove the team forward more effectively. 

For the home side, Timothy Castagne has had surgery on his ankle and will miss the remainder of the season, while Harrison Reed joins Rodrigo Muniz and Reiss Nelson on the treatment table after the premature end to his afternoon at Villa Park last time out. Sasa Lukic will also miss the game through a minor injury. 

Kick-Off: 3:00 pm BST Saturday, 10 May 2025 

Referee: Darren England. 
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Adrian Holmes. 
Fourth official: Sam Allison. 
Video Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury. 
Assistant VAR: Akil Howson.

 

Reader Comments (32)

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Kunal Desai
1 Posted 09/05/2025 at 13:10:14
Doucoure seeking a deal better than his current one.

Sadly, we've been a soft touch under the Moshiri era, some players drawing a huge wedge for very little return.

New ownership and structure now, the likes of Doucoure and DCL can seek to get those lucrative contracts elsewhere.

Terry Davies
2 Posted 09/05/2025 at 13:35:42
Can't disagree with that Kunil. As much as I like Doucoure, when you're at the end of your thirties as well as your contract I don't see how he can expect his already substantial salary to be increased.
Regarding Calvert Lewin, he's in no position to justify another hefty contract - the Club has to look at the return they've had over the last 3 years or so.
Mike Hayes
3 Posted 09/05/2025 at 13:47:52
Fingers crossed for the three points. We need to get well away from the bottom - love to finish above Utd and Spurs 🤔
These players need to understand that the fans (home and away) will get behind them 200% but equally they need to do the same. 💙
Mike Hayes
4 Posted 09/05/2025 at 13:51:18
Doucoure and DCL need to move on - more so DCL given he’s had a contract offer on the table for 12 months or so.
Doucoure like Harrison run around not offering much. I trust Moyes to find the right players to fit his way of playing - he’s done it in the past it’s just a case of who’s available who’ll come and what we have finally to improve the squad.
Eric Myles
5 Posted 09/05/2025 at 13:52:22
Terry, we supported DCL through some tough times when his problems were supposedly psychological rather than physical. I think the least he could do to acknowledge that is sign the deal the Club offered him, if they still want him to. If not, we'll good luck getting the same support elsewhere.

As for Doucoure, if his contract is up then he either already has a better deal on the table and if not is in no position to make demands.

Hopefully the new regime has gotten harder nosed in its dealings.

Dennis Stevens
6 Posted 09/05/2025 at 14:06:21
Didn't Moyes say that he was unaware of any contract offer being in place for DCL, at least since Moyes' return - tied in with the takeover, I suppose.
Andrew Clare
7 Posted 09/05/2025 at 14:16:11
I will be very disappointed if we keep Doucoure or DCL.
I will be equally disappointed if we sign Grealish or Stones or Richarlison. It’s probably all paper talk anyway.
We need fresh up and coming young talent not cast offs looking for a last big payday.
Danny O'Neill
8 Posted 09/05/2025 at 14:35:15
Time to get back to Everton.

We don't need a win, but I want one. I want three from the next three.

I think it's now one win in the last 9 or 10?

I'm looking forward to a day out in the west London sun on the Thames and meeting up with a few.

Who we may or may not sign isn't of concern right now. The players who cross the white line tomorrow are what matters.

Neil Lawson
9 Posted 09/05/2025 at 14:49:38
Doucoure quoted in saying he won't stay for less money. Should have better invested the £5m per annum he has been stealing from us. Crocodile tears. Not about the club. All about the money. Thank you and goodbye to you. We can do a lot better for less.
Raymond Fox
10 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:30:08
The betting is approx. 4/5 Fulham, 16/5 Everton & 2/1 a Draw. I think that's a decent price for us to win, I fancy us to come away with something.

Doucoure will probably take less to stay, he's going to try and get as much as he can. We will see.

It's easy to say get rid but you have to find better for not a lot of money. Likewise Harrison, he's costing us his wages, we have not had to buy him.

Mike Gaynes
11 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:36:02
Agreed, Danny, all this speculation is pointless. None of us have any idea what's going on behind the scenes.

If anything.

Of the people who will make the decisions about who stays and who goes, only one is even employed yet by Everton, and that's Davey. Our new CEO isn't officially aboard. Our new DOFO and chief scout haven't even been identified yet, let alone offered the positions.

What happens on the pitch is all that matters right now.

And for me, it's all about finishing above Man Utd. I would be smiling all summer if we could pull that off.

Dale Self
12 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:16:05
Yes, let's hang on to top United and Spurs, placing nicely behind Palace. That would be a respectable platform for the rebuild.
Christy Ring
13 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:19:57
Hopefully we’ll put in a good shift and get a result tomorrow, Fulham are definitely punching above their weight, and playing great football under Silva. I would like to see Calvert-Lewin starting tomorrow, would suit us better away from home.
Jimmy Carr
14 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:59:32
Fulham still in with an outside chance of Europe? Unfortunately I think they'll be more motivated for this one and expect us to lose. Hope I'm wrong obviously.

Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin and Harrison to put on a bit of a show for their future playing careers at Everton? Nah.

Roll on the final game at Goodison, at least we're not panicking about relegation.

Peter Hodgson
15 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:02:10
Mike @ 11. I suspect that you are not on your own with that wish. The vast majority of supporters will silently be hoping that you are right.

Danny @ 8. No, we don't need to win but wouldn't it be nice, and a good example, to take wins against Fulham and Southampton to the new stadium with us? So Moyesie and the boyes you know what you have to. COYB.

Peter Hodgson
16 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:07:08
Jimmy @ 14. I hope that none of the three you mention are going to have anything to look foward to except finding a new employer next season. They deserve nothing less.
Jimmy Carr
17 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:13:25
Mike (11) I’m all for TFG taking some time to identify key management/board appointments but it’s also a concerning state of affairs. With so much riding on summer in-goings and outgoings they surely need to get a move on.

Can’t all be left in the hands of Davey surely? He’ll still be dithering in the third week of August!! ;)

Jimmy Carr
18 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:23:11
Peter (16) agree about Doucs and Harrison (The Haircut). Bit more on the fence with DCL. Still think he’s the best no.9 at the club.
James Marshall
19 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:50:52
Ticket blag alert! If anyone on here happens to know of one going, I'll be at the ground about 2pm tomorrow. Pretty please with cherries on top :-)
Danny Baily
20 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:10:48
I notice that the barcodes will be updating their crest. We should do the same. We have an excellent heritage crest, which we should use as our main crest starting next season.
Mark Murphy
21 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:19:32
It’s the weekend and Everton are “in town”! I’m meeting my mate and good Blue Martin Mason at Horsham to head to the Eight Bells at Putney to link up with Danny boy and big Rob and not so big Neil and other twebbers before a glorious victory in the sunshine.
I’m avoiding any Jim Bennings or Wooly Paul Hewitt predictions and hoping for a tonking victory!
UTFT on my favourite away day of the season!
Mike Gaynes
22 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:23:39
Jimmy #17, at least we know who the CEO and chief negotiator will be, even though they haven't officially joined up yet from their previous clubs.

Not having a DoFO or a chief scout is more concerning. From all reports Dan Purdy was supposed to fill that latter job, and his decision to leave the club instead was totally unexpected. Hopefully they can recruit the right guys before the window opens.

Gaute Lie
23 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:59:42
I hope DCL does not start. We don't have to be his showroom for his next employer, do we?
And, lets face it: He aint that good anyways!
Ian Jones
24 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:16:44
Apols if I've missed this but it appears Harrison Armstrong has returned to training with us after his loan spell at Derby. Is he available to play in the last few games
Dennis Stevens
25 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:31:22
I don't think Moyes will even be considering him, Ian. A sudden surge in injuries might see him on the bench, perhaps, if he's eligible.

Peter Mills
26 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:31:38
Mark#21, I’m familiar with one or two of those named, very best wishes for a great day.
Paul Ferry
27 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:41:48
Mike Gaynes 11: 'Agreed, Danny, all this speculation is pointless. None of us have any idea what's going on behind the scenes'.

Mike Gaynes 22: 'Dan Purdy was supposed to fill that latter job, and his decision to leave the club instead was totally unexpected'.

Anthony Dove
28 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:55:05
Ian@24. I know that Armstrong is very highly regarded at
Derby. Whether or not he is available for our remaining
games is irrelevant. He’s at least five years too young to
be on Moyes’s radar.
Billy Shears
29 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:58:55
Unlucky ground for us Blues...I can only see another defeat looming sadly.

I'll go for a narrow 2-1 loss, sadly more than likely Iwobi will score against us... probably the winner!!

Please prove me wrong eh Blue Boys!

Martin Mason
30 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:00:27
Really great to get the opportunity to see a game again, thanks for the help Danny. I'm looking forward to it and am just happy to be able to get to a game, a privilege. I'm going for a decent performance and a win. Mark and me have been a bit of a lucky omen when we've watched together and it's winnable.
Rob Halligan
31 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:08:41
Billy # 29………..An unlucky ground? We’re unbeaten there in the last three league games, two draws and one win. In the last five league games it’s won two, drawn two and lost one. Hardly unlucky.
Brendan McLaughlin
32 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:12:58
Martin #30

That's the most caveated lucky omen twosome claim I've read in quite some time.

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