Everton

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

It isn't that long since Everton were in West Ham's position and fighting for Premier League survival - but now they are in the battle to secure European football next season and, particularly for that reason, this will have been a frustrating result.

David Moyes' side have one of the best away records in the Premier League and it looked they would earn a point with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's late strike.

In the end they could not hold on but the visitors will likely feel aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty before the late drama.

Moments before Dewsbury-Hall equalised, the Toffees thought they had a penalty when the ball struck Mateus Fernandes' hand inside the box as he grappled with Thierno Barry. However, nothing was given after a review by the video assistant referee, a decision that left Moyes visibly frustrated.

Despite the loss, Everton are still well-placed in the battle for Europe as they sit three points off sixth with four games remaining.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It isn't that long since Everton were in West Ham's position and fighting for Premier League survival - but now they are in the battle to secure European football next season and, particularly for that reason, this will have been a frustrating result.

David Moyes' side have one of the best away records in the Premier League and it looked they would earn a point with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's late strike.

In the end they could not hold on but the visitors will likely feel aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty before the late drama.

Moments before Dewsbury-Hall equalised, the Toffees thought they had a penalty when the ball struck Mateus Fernandes' hand inside the box as he grappled with Thierno Barry. However, nothing was given after a review by the video assistant referee, a decision that left Moyes visibly frustrated.

Despite the loss, Everton are still well-placed in the battle for Europe as they sit three points off sixth with four games remaining.

Everton boss David Moyes speaking to BBC Sport: "I don't think we deserved to lose, that's for sure. Very similar to last week, we played well enough at times and didn't deserve to come away with nothing."

On the decision not to award his side a penalty for an apparent handball: "I'm a bit surprised. I've been to see them [the officials] and VAR are saying it was grappling - well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball. It would have been harsh, but I'm amazed they haven't given it.

"If any team was going to go and win it, it was probably us. We just didn't do well enough at the end."

Did you know?

• Everton have lost back-to-back Premier League games due to a goal scored in the 90th minute or later (also 1-2 vs Liverpool) for the second time, after losses to Newcastle United and Liverpool in October 2007 during David Moyes' first spell.

• Everton's James Tarkowski received his 70th yellow card in the Premier League, the same number as Jamie Carragher – the only defenders to be brandished more in the competition are Phil Bardsley (79) and Richard Dunne (74).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

West Ham are unchanged for the third successive game, as Tomas Soucek makes his 200th Premier League start.

West Ham XI: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Fernandes, Soucek, Bowen, Summerville, Pablo, Taty.

Subs: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Todibo, Potts, Magassa, Kanté, Adama, Wilson

There are two changes for Everton as Thierno Barry and Michael Keane come in.

They come in for Beto (concussion) and Jarrad Branthwaite, who is out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski (c), Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Gana, McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, George, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Rohl, Iroegbunam, Armstrong

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Fulham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• West Ham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also watch, listen a follow live text of the FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Southampton here (kick-off 17:15)

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Newcastle", for instance.

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What a great game this will be, with Everton boss David Moyes going back to his old club.

We know how big a win would be for West Ham in their relegation fight but I was impressed by Everton against Liverpool, especially Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's performance.

I thought the Hammers' point at Palace last time out was a decent result but the pressure is still on them to win this one at home.

I am expecting West Ham to play with the kind of intensity that is required but Everton can be a tough nut to crack.

It finished 1-1 when these two sides met earlier in the season and this smells of another draw to me.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham United host Everton on Saturday (15:00 BST) with the margins tightening in their battle to stay in the Premier League. Everton arrive with encouragement drawn from a strong away record as they chase European qualification.

Can Nuno guide the Hammers to safety?

Football fortunes can turn quickly. Fewer than three years ago, West Ham were celebrating a first major trophy in 43 years after beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague.

Now, anxiety has replaced optimism as West Ham fight to preserve their top flight status. Nuno Espirito Santo's side earned a valuable point in Monday's goalless draw at Crystal Palace, with the Portuguese coach praising his team's discipline after another clean sheet.

There are signs of resilience at the London Stadium too. West Ham are unbeaten in five home league matches and have kept two clean sheets in their past three there, following a long spell where defensive solidity proved hard to find.

Former boss to dent Hammers' survival hopes?

Everton, under former West Ham manager David Moyes, are pushing for European football for the first time since 2017-18.

Their away form has been a consistent strength this season. They have picked up 25 points on the road in the league this term (W7 D4 L5) — their strongest away tally across a season since 2020-21, when they collected 37.

Nine Premier League visits to London Stadium have yielded three wins, three draws and three defeats.

A trump card for the Toffees could be striker Beto. He has been lethal in the Premier League in 2026, finding the net seven times from just 19 efforts – an incredible 37% success rate – scoring every 81 minutes.

Previously, he managed 12 goals from 111 shots, converting only 11% and scoring at a rate of one every 271 minutes.

The latest news and views on the Blues in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Giulia Bould
BBC Radio Merseyside reporter

The likelihood of Everton academy youngster Braiden Graham being involved with the first team has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Everton 'Ask Me Anything' form.

If I had a pound for every time I am asked about Graham right now, I would be very rich! For those who haven't heard of him, he is the 18-year-old forward making headlines in Everton's academy.

Last Friday evening the Northern Irish teenager scored four goals at Goodison Park and bagged an assist as the Toffees under-21 side convincingly beat Ipswich and it left supporters wondering if he could now step up to the senior side. The Merseyside derby followed 48 hours later and substitute Thierno Barry's lacklustre showing up front - as he failed to register a shot on target - was being debated among fans for a different reason.

So, could Graham push for a place in David Moyes' squad in the final five games?

His under-21 coach Paul Tait thinks he can offer something and heaped praised on him by explaining: "If you've got a front player who can come and link it to feet and go in behind, then you've got a good front player."

However, when I asked Moyes about Graham in January, he told me: "Braiden is doing well. We need him to build up his physicality and speed, all those things that come from stepping up to the Premier League."

Graham's form in the youth set-up has led to discussions on a chicken and egg situation. Would the forward now be best getting a chance off the bench to see how he holds his own in order to build his physical strength?

Should this happen it would need some patience from fans because he is so young and untested. The closest to the senior side the teenager has got so far was being an unused substitute in the FA Cup defeat by Sunderland.

It will be fairly obvious on Friday night if he's been given the chance to be part of the squad for Saturday's trip to West Ham. Everton's under-21s are in action again, so if there's no Braiden Graham on the teamsheet it could signify he has done enough to make Moyes think he's worth a shot.

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Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There was only one fresh injury to report with Beto ruled out due to concussion.

• When asked if Beto's absence could make way for Thierno Barry, he replied: "That's if I choose to play him. I've got other people that I think could do it, so I could consider them." The striker hasn't scored in his past five appearances, but Moyes refused to reveal who else he might have up his sleeve for Saturday's game.

• Jarrad Branthwaite is "feeling much better" after learning that the hamstring injury he sustained in the Merseyside derby "isn't in the same area" to a previously operated on hamstring issue. However, the club is concerned about the recurring nature of his injuries.

• On this match being his 750th game as a Premier League manager: "I'm a bit closer [to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's record] than I thought actually... I've always said I don't want to be too grey or too fat on the touchline, and I'm starting to become both now so that's a problem."

• Moyes added: "I'm enjoying football still and the players keep me young, so as long as I can keep up the energy then I'm happy to keep going." However, there have "certainly not been any talks" about a fresh managerial contract for him.

• He is "back to not talking about" the club's European hopes after "letting an opportunity go" in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool last time out. He explained: "It looks a long way off right now, doesn't it? Things can change, but when it actually changes that's when we'll start talking about it again."

• West Ham are "still fighting for everything this season and certainly shouldn't be going into the Championship", but he admitted the Premier League is "unforgiving".

• When asked where things have gone wrong at his former club, he explained: "If you're not quite at it in terms of recruiting right or spending enough, then you could find yourself in that position every year. I don't believe chopping and changing managers is helping the club or the players. For me, the club needs to look at itself a little bit and do a better job."

• Defender Michael Keane "certainly deserves" his one-year contract extension after being "brave enough to want to take the challenge on and show what he can do" this season.

• There will also be more to come on Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman's contracts "in the weeks to come".

Listen to full commentary of West Ham United v Everton from 14:55 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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

Got a question about Everton? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

After the news that Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to play again this season after sustaining a hamstring injury in last weekend's Merseyside derby defeat, BBC Sport has spoken to sports physiotherapist Ben Warburton to discuss what the recovery process will look like.

Branthwaite missed the first five months of the season - having hamstring surgery in October - and returned to the side in January.

However, his latest injury is unrelated and a scan shows he does not require an operation, Everton have confirmed.

"It's far from ideal that Branthwaite is getting repetitive hamstring issues and there is a slight cause for concern," Warburton explained.

"However, I've dealt with sports players myself where they have an inconsistent couple of seasons with either a repetitive hamstring or calf injury, then after extensive rehab and thorough investigations they have come out the other side.

"I'm sure he'll now have time on his side over the off-season and pre-season to get his hamstring as robust as possible.

"I am sure they will be looking to restore any strength deficits as well as 'rate of force development' deficits (how quickly you can contract a muscle).

"However, it's not all about strength or how quickly you can activate. They will be looking at his acceleration and running gait to check his biomechanics, as well as keeping his acceleration and high speed/sprint metres consistent week-to-week in order to avoid any potential increase in training and running demands.

"I have heard Everton have very good physios so I'm sure they're doing all they can."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Michael Keane signing a new contract, which will extend his stay at Hill Dickinson Stadium until June 2027.

Here are some of your comments:

Terence: In reality, he's been the best signing as far as the defence is concerned. I'll admit to being a doubter over him this time last year, but I'm happy he's staying.

Jeff: Absolute no-brainer to give Keane another year. Always gives 100% and chips in with goals. Doesn't throw his toys out if not playing - a good, solid professional who can be a BIG part of what David Moyes is building for us.

Tony: The one-year contract extension for Keane is the right move for both player and club, even more so with Jarrad Branthwaite's ongoing injury issues. He has been consistent this season and always poses a threat from set-pieces, especially when he is pushed forward to grab us a late equaliser or winner.

D Bennett: At the end of last season, I was more than happy to see him go, but he's certainly earned his extension this time. I wasn't too enthusiastic when he was called in to cover Branthwaite in August, but he proved me wrong. He's put in numerous solid performances and deserves another season. Well done, Keano.

Richard: It's a sensible move. It's a big transfer window coming up this summer for Everton, so it's about getting the low-hanging fruit done now.

Chris: Keano has had his critics over the years, but he's been immense this season and totally deserves another year.

Kenny: Yes, a great servant to the club and stepped up when needed this season. I'd have had him playing up front months ago.

Allison: Yes, on balance, he deserves a new contract. He is a good guy who really wants the best for Everton. He is also dependable when he really needs to be. Hopefully he can win something quite soon.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Keane says reaching 10 years of service at Everton will be "a big achievement" after signing a new contract to extend his stay at the club until June 2027.

The 33-year-old centre-back's current deal was set to expire at the end of this season but he has proved a key component in David Moyes' rebuild, having made 30 appearances in all competitions this term.

Keane has made 259 appearances and netted 19 goals for the Toffees to date, having signed from Burnley in July 2017.

"I'm really happy," he told club media after penning his new deal. "The club means a lot to me. It's one of those things that's easy to say, but it has become part of me.

"It's who I am and it feels like family to me - the people around the club, the fans, the players and the staff. I couldn't really imagine my life without Everton.

"It has been a great season for me personally. I've played a lot of football - probably more than I expected - and I feel like I've done well and I've absolutely loved it, so to get my 10th year here is a big achievement.

"I didn't know what was going to happen last summer. I didn't know where I was going to end up. I'm guessing people were doubting me, but I've always had belief in myself.

"So to prove again this season that I am good enough and that I can do it has been really pleasing.

"I've seen a lot here and been through a lot, so it's good that we're now in a much better place than what we have been in the past.

"I go into my 10th season feeling really positive, and thinking about what we can achieve and where we can be is really exciting."

Everton boss David Moyes added: "We are pleased to have extended Michael's long service at Everton. He is an experienced and respected member of the squad, who knows the standards we expect.

"He has been consistent all season and he will continue to be a valuable part of our squad going into next season."

Everton fans, how are you feeling about the news? Does Keane still have a part to play in Moyes' evolving side? How do you view his past nine years at the club?

Let us know here

Image source, Getty Images

When European-pushing Everton and relegation-fighting West Ham United go head-to-head on Saturday, one thing's for sure: both teams will be going for broke.

We should expect minimal time-wasting and maximum goal-searching from both sides, who could do with three points to boost their pursuits.

Everton boss David Moyes will most likely turn to Beto to provide a goalscoring threat at London Stadium, the striker having started the Toffees' past six Premier League games after reclaiming his starting XI position off Thierno Barry.

It is fair to say Beto needed extra time to adjust to the English top-flight after completing a move from Serie A side Udinese in August 2023.

All you have to do is cast your mind back to his BBC Sport interview before the 2024-25 season, when he said: "I need to have people criticising me and I need to have haters" after scoring just five goals in his first season in England.

But how do the 28-year-old's recent statistics compare?

Well, Beto has scored seven Premier League goals from just 19 shots in 2026 - registering a shot conversion rate of 37% and averaging a league goal every 81 minutes.

Prior to 2026, he had scored just 12 goals from 111 shots - registering a shot conversion rate of 11% and averaging a league goal every 271 minutes.

Is it the Moyes effect? Is it simply time spent maturing in the Premier League.

Whatever is is, the Guinea-Bissau international appears to be flourishing at long last.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to feature again this season due to a hamstring injury and Everton fans are keen to see him recover fully ready for next season.

The 23-year-old missed a lengthy period from August to January with a hamstring complaint and was carried off in Sunday's Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool.

Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Everton fan, Courtney said: "He's been playing catch-up with the rest of the team, so I think they've given him the rest of the season off then see where he's at. It's a hamstring injury. Everyone famously goes back to Michael Owen for Liverpool. He was never the same player after that. You have to treat it properly and get it right."

The Paddock Blues Podcast host Paul Brown added: "He came back so seamlessly, he didn't look like he was unfit or struggling to keep up with everyone."

Courtney replied: "He's a Rolls-Royce of a footballer, I thought he was fantastic against Liverpool. I think he made a better effort than the others. I thought he was fantastic, I really did."

Listen on BBC Sounds here for the full chat.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on how big of a blow Jarrad Branthwaite's injury is to Everton as they chase European football? Is this more of a worry with his recent injury history?

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: Glad it is not serious. Hopefully Branthwaite will be fit and ready to go next season. I'm happy in a sense that he didn't make the England squad last time round, as missing out on a World Cup squad place now would have been a killer.

Colin: You've got to feel sorry for him after the first injury he suffered that kept him out for so long. He'll be missed by all the fans, and we wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him in action next season.

Paul: It's a huge blow for Branthwaite to be out again, but we have Michael Keane to step in, and he has had a great season when called upon. Let Branthwaite recover now and hopefully he will be fit to start next season.

Thomas: He's been missing for a sizeable chunk of the season already. We've proven we can get results without him. I really wanted him to be the future of this club, but with his injury record, we just can't rely on him.

Iain: Although it's not exactly ideal, given how much of the season Jarrad has already missed, I'm not as worried about it as I might have been in previous seasons. Keane did a fantastic job before Jarrad came back from injury, and I've got no doubt he will step up once again. It leaves us a little thin on options, but with only five games left, I think we will be able to cope.

Keith: It's a terrible blow and my heart goes out to Jarrad. You could see he was distraught, which shows just how much he wanted to be in that blue shirt, fighting for a European spot. Best wishes to JB. Here's to next season when you'll be back bossing that defence and getting your much deserved England call up.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is "unlikely" to feature again for the Toffees this season due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was in tears as he left the pitch on a stretcher in the 87th minute and was seen leaving on crutches, with boss David Moyes saying after the match he was concerned the injury "could be serious".

Branthwaite missed the first five months of the season - having hamstring surgery in October - and returned to the side in January.

However, in a statement released on Wednesday the club said his latest injury is unrelated and a scan shows he does not require an operation.

How big a blow is this to the Toffees as they chase European football? Is this more of a worry with is recent injury history?

Get in touch with your views here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

On Sunday I was at the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton fans were left devastated by Virgil van Dijk stealing all three points in the 100th minute. That header from the Dutch master was probably enough to secure Champions League football for next season.

A major rebuild, or maybe reset, is needed by Arne Slot but he has just about delivered the lower limit of acceptability now, probably ensuring his continued employment.

For the Blues, this day should represent something bigger than a Merseyside derby. The stunning new stadium, the noise, the passion and above all the numbers there, underlined that Everton now have the chance to become one of the very top clubs again. That stadium filled with 53,000 fans will be a huge incentive for players to come.

With David Moyes in charge the future is not only looking secure but exhilarating. After just over a year, Everton are challenging for a European place instead of fighting against relegation year after year. This summer will be bring reinforcements, a full-back, another centre midfielder and a striker.

Get these right and the Hill Dickinson will be among the most feared – and to some of us enjoyable – places to watch football anywhere.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Mike Richards
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

An opportunity missed. It's as simple as that.

The players will have woken up on Monday morning wondering where it went wrong against an average Liverpool side.

The officiating was questionable, but that was only part of the story.

The day felt primed for an Everton win. Glorious spring sunshine, a coach welcome for the ages and an atmosphere within Hill Dickinson Stadium to match.

The players seemed to feed off the fans early on, with an intensity and purpose that matched the energetic Evertonians.

Sadly, the disallowed Iliman Ndiaye goal, shortly followed by the Liverpool opener, sucked the air out of the stadium, meaning the remainder of the half left us hoping not to concede another.

Everton have shown plenty of heart this season, coming from behind to pick up points.

The intent shown at the beginning of the second half was indicative of that resilience, with the Beto equaliser not only deserved, but expected.

Our disappointment stems from not being able to kick on and ultimately test Freddie Woodman in the Liverpool goal.

The loss of the inspired Beto and – more concerning – the dominant Jarrad Branthwaite, were two pivotal moments that shifted the momentum in the game. The cost of defeat certainly weighs heavy.

The winner was a sickener. There's no other way to describe it. Naivety in our defensive set-up for their corner in allowing one of only two threats to win the header was unforgivable.

Jordan Pickford was left unprotected by his defenders. It's a lesson we seem to not learn from regularly.

A crumb of consolation is that the better side lost. Something the players can take heart from.

It's imperative we dust ourselves down before this weekend's trip to West Ham. The assault on the European places is still very much alive.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external