Everton

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend’s final games of the season, he takes on Gladiators star Legend.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Sean Dyche is a scrapper and his Everton side are enjoying a strong end to the season. He would like nothing more than to end with a positive result here, but I cannot see past an Arsenal victory.

With 15 wins, one draw and only one defeat from their past 17 Premier League games, the Gunners don't deserve to finish second but that is what is going to happen. Other than the Community Shield, they are going to finish trophyless too.

Arsenal have invited players from their Invincibles side - who remained unbeaten last time they were champions in 2004 - so they will want to put on a show for them.

They should have something to smile about, even if there is no title to celebrate.

Legend's prediction: 5-0

If Spurs had got a result against Manchester City, I think we still would have won this game, but it would have been tighter. The stress would have been outrageous and we might have only won by a goal or two, which would have been a worry if City were only behind us on goal difference.

Now, even though it is not completely over, our players know it kind of is. That takes a lot of the pressure off and this could be an absolute hiding, with Kai Havertz scoring a couple of goals.

Legend on Gunners boss Mikel Arteta: From day one, when I first heard him speak, you could tell he was going to be good, although I didn't think he would be this good.

Even when we are playing badly, you want to get behind the side he has built because they have such amazing team unity. We don't have one megastar and, even though some players are clearly better than others, it feels like the whole squad look at each other as equals, which makes a massive difference. Everyone tracks back and works hard defensively, for example.

Whatever happens this season, Arteta is still young and so are a lot of the team, so you have the feeling that it is only going to get better.

Look at what we have done this year compared to three or four years ago - it is unbelievable. Arteta has created such a positive environment and the club is going in an upward trajectory. This is just the start, hopefully.

Read all of Sutton’s predictions for the final day of the season here

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't done so already, you have until 10:00 BST on Wednesday, 22 May to cast your vote for Everton's player of the season from our shortlist.

The candidates have been chosen by fan writer Briony Bragg from This Fan Girl, external.

Find out the reasons behind her selections and make your choice here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton defender James Tarkowski says he is "proud" of how the team have dealt with "uncertainty" of the season.

The Toffees have dealt with two points deductions for breaking profit and sustainability rules, which left them fighting for their place in the Premier League.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Friday Football Social, Tarkowski said: "It was tough. It was just the uncertainty of what was going to happen a lot of the time. We got hit with the 10 points out of the blue, then it was about the appeal for so long.

"Then we got the second charge. We got some points back and then we thought we might get some more taken away, so that uncertainty throughout the whole season is difficult to deal with. But I think we have coped with it quite well.

"With everything that has been chucked at us, to get 48 points on the board with one game to go makes me proud of where we have come in a really difficult season."

Tarkowski also praised 35-year-old club captain Seamus Coleman, who has been offered a new contract, for his influence in helping the side get through the difficult season.

"There is just one standout character - Seamus Coleman. If anyone knows him, or has seen him work day to day, it is incredible.

"He is priceless to us for what he brings every day to the team and to the club. Even when he is injured he'll do a speech before the game, or maybe the day before he will galvanise us.

"He is just everything to Everton. He is basically a fan who plays for the club because of how much he does for them. We’ve got a few big characters, but Seamus is the standout one."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are willing to pay £55m for Jarrad Branthwaite, but Everton want £80m for the defender. (Givemesport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Everton boss Sean Dyche has been giving his view on whether the Premier League should keep or scrap VAR after Wolves formally submitted a resolution to the league on Wednesday that will be voted on by clubs at their Annual General Meeting.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton have confirmed they have offered new one-year contracts to captain Seamus Coleman and full-back Ashley Young, but Andre Gomes will leave Goodison Park when his deal expires at the end of the campaign.

Director of football Kevin Thelwell said: "Andre immersed himself in the Everton values after joining us from Barcelona in 2018 and, rightly, was a popular player with our fans."

Veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is also leaving the Toffees, who have activated the one-year option on Idrissa Gana Gueye's deal, meaning he is now contracted until the summer of 2025.

Arnaut Danjuma will return to Villarreal at the end of his loan spell, but Everton will "continue discussions" with Leeds over the future of fellow loanee Jack Harrison after their Championship play-off final.

Meanwhile, on the future of Dele Alli, Thelwell said: "Dele's contract is coming to an end, but our medical team will continue to support him whilst he completes the intensive rehabilitation programme he is currently undergoing following the operation he had earlier this year.

"Both Sean [Dyche, manager] and I agree it is important we ensure Dele's rehabilitation is not impacted by his contract situation at such a critical point in his recovery."

Everton manager Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before his side's final Premier League game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key headlines from his news conference:

• Winger Jack Harrison will miss Sunday's game because of injury but midfielder Andre Gomes could be fit enough to be involved.

• Dyche reflected on this season as his "most difficult" in management: "Challenges in house are one thing, but when it comes from outside and the various things that have happened - the curveballs that have come along - it does make it a challenge."

• Dyche was asked about the difficulties of planning for next season while uncertainty regarding the ongoing takeover of the club continues: "We're trying to be flexible about it with the scouting system and the staff, creating a knowledge bank of varying outcomes. We've got to be ready for what comes next and that is a difficult challenge, but it's the reality. We focus on realities rather than the myths, the conjecture and the noise."

• On the upcoming vote about whether VAR should be scrapped in the Premier League, Dyche said: "Offside is the good side of VAR for me, the challenge is to bring it to a much smoother operation. There have been some mistakes made - they've got to be eradicated of course - but the business side of football is so powerful and it's so apparent that it's vital for some clubs, including ours this season, that you want those decisions to be correct. The fan engagement side of it is a trickier situation."

• Arsenal have a chance to win the Premier League title on Sunday but Dyche said that is of "no interest" to him. He added: "I'm not bothered with it. It's more about us continuing the thought process and mentality we've put in place this season. We're on a good show of form for our own reasons and it's about keeping that mentality going into the final game. It's more focusing on us going and performing."

• On the Gunners: "It'll be very difficult. The way they've performed and grown as the season's gone on, they're a top side. Currently there's another top side who are doing just as good, if not a slightly better job - as the league table would suggest. They're having a great season."

Follow Friday's Premier League news conferences

• Arsenal have lost just one of their past 27 Premier League home games against Everton, 1-0 in April 2021. They have beaten them three times on the final day of the season in this spell (4-3 in 2001-02, 3-1 in 2016-17 and 5-1 in 2021-22).

• Everton lost the reverse fixture against Arsenal 1-0, but have not been beaten in both Premier League meetings with the Gunners in a campaign since 2017-18.

• Arsenal have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than any other side (22, including the last 12 in a row), also having the best win rate in such matches in the competition (71%).

• The Gunners have not lost their final game of the season since 2004-05 (1-2 vs Birmingham City), and not at home since 1992-93 (1-3 vs Tottenham).

• No side have lost their final game of the Premier League season more often than Everton (14). However, they beat Bournemouth 1-0 last season, and are looking to win their final game in consecutive campaigns for the first time since a run of five between 2007-08 and 2011-12.

Image source, Getty Images

Mayor for Greater Manchester and Everton fan Andy Burnham spoke to BBC Total Sport Merseyside about the prospect of new owners at Everton:

"The group that I'm part of is about getting the right owner for Everton going forward as we look to our last season at Goodison Park and onto Bramley Moore. It's down to me and others to do whatever we can to challenge and ensure that Everton gets the best possible owner that we can.

"I know I'm not alone in saying that we've had misgivings about the prospective owners. I think they've only grown in the minds of Everton supporters as we've learnt more.

"I would be urging the owner to open up those discussions with other partners as quickly as possible because I think there are better potential better owners out there.

"I try to give people the benefit of the doubt but I have real concerns if we were to proceed on the basis that the club has been working this season. I think we need to open up to other possibilities and that is something that we would all ask the current owner to do."

Listen to the full interview with Burnham here on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former midfielder Mikel Arteta says he was "excited every morning" to attend training and play for Everton.

The now Arsenal manager joined the Toffees in 2005 from Real Sociedad - with whom he had struggled to get regular game time - and made 209 appearances for the club.

It was the second time the Spaniard had played for a British club having previously spent two years at Scottish Premiership side Rangers between 2002 and 2004.

Speaking to Spanish football journalist Guillem Ballague in an exclusive BBC interview, the 42-year-old said: "David [Moyes] calls me. Again, [he was] a Scottish manager and he was very close to Alex McLeish, so because they knew each other from Glasgow, he knew what I did in Glasgow [for Rangers].

"[Moyes] said 'you can come in, this time will be different, but it will suit you and I think you will be a great fit here'."

So it transpired as Arteta played a key role in helping Everton finish in the top four in the Premier League and also to qualify for the Uefa Cup during his time at Goodison Park.

He won the club's player of the season award in two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008

"I went there on my first day and there in that stadium presentation, it feels good," he said. "Sometimes you don't understand why it feels good. You get in the dressing room and when you open the door and people are looking at you, you see the body language, faces, it feels good straight away.

"You connect with the team, you connect with the players, you connect with the staff, you connect with the supporters and it flows.

"That feeling is needed. You feel confident, you feel excited every morning to get out of your bed and go to training. We had some unbelievable years together."

Listen to Mikel Arteta’s People and Places' on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Mayor of Greater Manchester and Everton fan Andy Burnham spoke to BBC Total Sport Merseyside about Sean Dyche:

"You've got to take your hat off to him. Let's also mention Steve Stone, Ian Woan and Sean's backroom team. They've all been in the most difficult circumstances imaginable and haven't they come through it. Fantastic resilience and for what they've done for our club, we're all in their debt. We should all say that and really appreciate Sean.

"I was honestly staggered to see that [Dyche not being nominated for Premier League manager of the year] and staggered that Jarrad [Branthwaite] wasn't in [the Premier League young player of the year nominations].

"I was in the lower Gwladys on Saturday [against Sheffield United] and I've never heard it happier in a long time, it was unbelievable. It was a place with a weight lifted off its shoulders and everyone was in great voice. It was a real good day in the sun at Goodison."

Listen to the full interview with Andy Burnham here on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are interested in signing 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana, 22, from Everton. (Manchester Evening News), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Goodison Park was a different place on Saturday. No sign of pain or anguish etched on fans' faces as they prepared for a match that, on the face of it, had very little riding on it.

Sheffield United were already relegated and Everton already safe, but there remains genuine fear for the fans that they are never too far away for another negative, doom-laden story.

That is why three points were still necessary. They banished the threat of Luton Town finishing the season within nine points of them. Everton are confident that despite their current financial problems, as well as their longstanding ownership uncertainty, they will avoid having to go into administration and avoid another points deduction that could have had devastating consequences.

They are now 15th in the Premier League, and 14 points clear of third-from-bottom Luton.

In the whole scheme of things, it does not appear to be much worth getting excited about. But it is also worth pointing out that Everton would be above Fulham, Wolves, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth but for the eight-point deduction meted out for breaching profitability and sustainability regulations.

Again, while it is not something to be making too much noise about, it remains a massive improvement on the team's points tally and final position compared with the previous two seasons.

While it has been a long and hard season, Sean Dyche has managed to get the best out of a squad that lacks depth and brought belief to the players. When the going got tough, he made it clear the players "would be paid back" if they continued to work hard individually and collectively. In the end, he was proved right.

Everton's home results had been dreadful, even if many of the performances in the should have produced more victories. Survival hopes rested on their ability to change that dramatically.

That is precisely what they did.

Five straight home wins is not the form of relegation candidates, especially as one was against title-chasing Liverpool. The fact they were achieved without conceding at all serves to underline the feat.

Dyche has managed to re-establish the "fortress Goodison" mentality among players and fans.

Given all that has happened this season, that is quite a remarkable achievement.

Image source, Getty Images

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says he wants to return to the England squad after finding goalscoring form for Everton.

Speaking to Everton's official website, external the striker, who has 11 England caps, said: "I want to get back to where I belong in the England team. It’s been a slow build-up this season, I feel like I’ve got there eventually and now I just want to continue this form.”

The 27-year-old has scored four goals in his last six games after going 23 games without a goal earlier in the season and he now looks at the season "in a much better way" than he might have done "six to eight weeks ago" during a "difficult spell".

"I needed to get a goal and I was plugging away, working hard and then when I got my goal, I knew once I got that one that would be it then. That's how it goes in football being a centre-forward," he added.

“It’s been a different kind of battle for myself. The previous two seasons were plagued with injuries and were just all about being fit - getting fit, staying fit and getting to play as many games as possible, whereas this season, at the start of the season it was a case of that - just wanting to be out there, playing and almost do myself justice, in a way, because I felt like I hadn’t been able to do that for a long time."

The Toffees face Arsenal in their final game of the season, and Calvert-Lewin will be hoping to add to his seven Premier League goals so far this campaign.

We asked our Everton fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrad Branthwaite

At 21 years old, Branthwaite has commanded Everton's backline and forced his way into England boss Gareth Southgate's plans for the Euros. If I have any wish for next season it is that we can keep hold of him!

Idrissa Gueye

He has not been without injuries this season, but Gueye's recent performances against Nottingham Forest and Brentford have forced him into this conversation. My player of the match for those games, securing a vital nine points in a week, Gueye has showed calm and composure when it has really mattered.

Jordan Pickford

Everton rank second to title contenders Arsenal on clean sheets, and Pickford himself only second to Raya for the Golden Glove. Everton's problems have not been in defence this season, rather scoring goals, and Pickford - yet again - has been imperative to securing Premier League survival.

James Tarkowski

He has played every minute of every game for Everton this season and made an outstanding contribution to the team. Tarky is proving a worthy understudy for captain.

Honourable mentions

Seamus Coleman, who at 35 years of age continues to provide captain's performances when called upon. Also Vitaliy Mykolenko, one of the most improved players this season.

Pick your 2023-24 Everton player of the season from our shortlist here

Briony Bragg can be found at This Fan Girl, external

Everton's England Under-21s centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 21 is interesting Manchester United, with the Red Devils prepared to offer £55m for the defender. (Daily Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

The future ownership of Everton will be decided by current owner Farhad Moshiri and not by the Premier League, says the English top flight's chief executive Richard Masters.

777 Partners agreed to buy Moshiri's 94% stake in September but there is increasing uncertainty over the takeover amid concerning developments around the Miami-based firm.

Appearing in front of a select committee on Parliament's Football Governance Bill on Tuesday, Masters was asked why he had not rejected 777's takeover.

“The Premier League’s role in this, as regulator, is to perform the test," said Masters.

"It is not to decide who the current owner wants to sell his club to. That is his decision. At the moment, he wants to continue to have discussions with 777 about it."

Last week, 777 engaged finance restructuring experts, casting further doubts over its ability to complete the deal.

Moshiri has held talks with 777 as he looks for clarity regarding the situation, and whether it has the cash available to pay off a £158m loan owed to MSP Sports Capital.

And eight months on from agreeing to buy the club, 777 continues to undergo scrutiny from the Premier League as to whether it passes the Owners' and Directors' Test.

Last week, Everton's Fan Advisory Board called for the Premier League to dismiss 777 Partners' takeover bid and to "allow discussions with more suitable owners" to take place.

Read the full story here

Saturday was the first time in three years that a game did not have something riding on it. No tension or fraught nerves. No chewed finger nails or hiding behind Goodison's multiple posts.

It was a day of sunshine, shorts and a chance to thank the players and manager for their efforts in the most difficult of seasons.

The frightening prospect is, however, many of those players who undertook a lap of appreciation, will not be seen gracing the hallowed Goodison turf in Everton blue again.

The words of director of football Kevin Thelwell confirmed that summer outgoings are a certainty, with patience called for.

With eight current first team players either out of contract or returning to their parent clubs in the summer, numbers are already looking thin on the ground for next season.

Combine that with the need to raise funds for working capital and hopefully some lower value additions.

Early indications suggest Jarrad Branthwaite, Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have plenty of interest and may be the ones moved on to ensure the club can continue to operate amid the ownership uncertainty.

One thing is for sure, it promises to be a summer when the winds of change blow through the corridors of the club.

Next season already feels like an uphill struggle, even before this one has ended.

Mike Richards can be found at Unholy Trinity, external

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

@win_n10 on asked "X": Given the furore that has surrounded 777 Partners since Farhad Moshiri first announced them as preferred bidder for Everton, is it surprising that he is yet to end this takeover and does this slow death suggest the Premier League Ownership And Directors Test is still not fit for purpose as even 777 cannot be disqualified?

Phil answered: In some ways, it is not a surprise because Farhad Moshiri’s management of Everton has been so poor since he acquired control.

With all the various issues surrounding 777, it is a surprise this has dragged on so long and surely this has to end soon. The giveaway is that the Premier League has clearly had major reservations for some time otherwise they would have signed this deal off. Only they can know why they have not stepped in already but it now looks like it will come to an end of its own accord.

This is, of course, unless the unpredictable Moshiri decides otherwise.

The Premier League would also say they have been careful to guard Everton’s interests in this particular case by not signing it off.

There has been much news around 777 recently – and none of it good.