Only three more Premier League games at Goodison Park and Saturday’s guests for the final time are current Champions and financial pariahs, Manchester City.
With off-field issues just as important as on-field performances in the modern-day Premier League, the alleged transgressions of this weekend’s visitors put into sharp focus the extent of myriad changes to what used to be called ‘Association Football’ this ancient and now comprehensively outdated stadium has witnessed.
Everton will enter the contest with nothing to fear against the most successful Premier League club in recent years, but one that has seen something of a wobble as they have no chance now of retaining their crown as Champions.
The Blues were denied what should have been a deserved victory over current leaders Liverpool in 1st place, who won by a clearly offside goal; they earned a very respectable draw against Mikel Areteta’s would-be challengers Arsenal in 2nd; and secured a fantastic late win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, when had been in a strong 3rd-place position chasing Champions League qualification.
Manchester City are clinging to the top group in 5th position, with seven teams vying for the five Champions League spots now granted to the Premier League for next season. But hanging over them, and once reported to be imminent, is a judgment from an independent tribunal on the 115 charges of financial and other breaches that Manchester City are accused of committing over many years. That crucial judgment may not now come until the summer.
But back to football where it should really matter — on the field — and David Moyes will be looking to build on the revolution he has put in place that now goes well beyond the famed ‘new manager;’ bounce — perhaps demonstrating that he has learned some important lessons in getting his current Everton team to challenge and beat top opposition without the defeatist psychology of taking a “knife to a gunfight” that far too often characterized his approach in a previous incarnation.
To that end, he may have more availability possible from Dwight McNeil, who’s inch-perfect pass set up Abdoulaye Doucoure’s excellent late winner at the City Ground last week. And big question marks continue over why more is not being made of Charly Alcarz, whose potential to influence play has been well demonstrated but who still sees his playing time limited at Everton before his loan deal expires.
Competition for the attacking lead remains strong but of limited proven effectiveness, with none of Broja, Beto or Chermiti finding the net for many weeks now. While Seamus Coleman appears to be fully fit again and will hopefully be granted at least one final cameo in front of the Goodison faithful. But Orel Managala and Jesper Lindstrom are both unlikely to reappear this season.
For the visitors, Phil Foden and Manuel Aknaji were seen back in training this week and could be fit after missing last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace. But Ederson, Ake, Stones and Haaland will be missing for this last visit to Goodison Park.
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm BST, Saturday 19 April 2025
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth Official: Bobby Madley.
Video Assistant Referee: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.
Reader Comments (29)
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Derek Knox
1 Posted
18/04/2025 at
14:32:01
Agree Michael K, by the under-use of Charly Alcaraz, don’t understand it myself. Surely a better option than you know who, and Harrison. This won’t be an easy game as it looks like City are back on track, whereas a few games ago appeared to be beatable. Still hoping as always for a win.
Ian Wilkins
2 Posted
18/04/2025 at
14:36:44
Wondering what happened to the decision on the City financial charges that was said to be imminent at the beginning of March.
Now approaching end of April and nothing.
There is no longer time for decision, potential appeal and outcome before the end of the season. Has a bit of a whiff about it…
City not at their best at the moment, good time to turn them over…
Scott Hamilton
3 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:20:14
I guess that if they are found guilty and subsequently docked points, that would happen next season. TBF – if what is being alleged is true, they should end up all the way down in League 1.
Rob Dolby
4 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:20:32
Have you got a darts board with Doucoure’s picture pinned to it.
The man who saved the club over £100m with a goal v Bournemouth and possible oblivion.
Our earliest and latest premiership goal scorer.
Hardest runner in the team, most athletic and only midfielder who poses a goal threat.
There is no disguising it, he is an awkward none technical footballer who is probably the most limited in the squad.
Ancelloti, Dyche and Moyes all start him. Only Lampard seen him as not fitting into his philosophy but as soon as he came back in we started winning and Frank was history.
What are the odds Moyes wants to sign him up again?
It will be a tough game tomorrow, city have to win to keep their champions league hopes alive.
I would drop broja for Beto and let the city defenders know they are in a game.
Coyb.
Ron Sear
5 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:35:30
Can’t say I like the Man City games, not for the results but next to the Liverpool supporters they have some of the nastiest away support in the premiership.
Might be interesting to create a list (Nasty to Decent).
Scott Hamilton
6 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:45:44
Ron – I never tire of hearing “in my Liverpool slum”, do you? 😡
Alan McGuffog
7 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:53:49
Doubt if Broja will be here next season. DCL’s time seems to be up. Beto is…well, Beto.
Six games left and we are safe. Would love to see Chermiti given a run. Or get shut ! He’ll be 21 next month and if he’s not ready by now 🤷
Rob Halligan
8 Posted
18/04/2025 at
15:56:46
Yeovil leading Forest Green 1-0. Nothing special about that, but the Yeovil goal was scored by Blu-Lo Everton. What a great name! 💙💙
Liam Mogan
9 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:02:14
It’s the only explanation that makes sense to me when you consider he’s the only player (apart from Ndiaye) who can consistently influence our attacking impetus.
I thought his introduction last weekend made us look much more dangerous in the final third.
Neil Lawson
10 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:24:32
Whilst we are not yet mathematically safe, I doubt that Moyes will change much. When we are mathematically safe, I doubt that Moyes will change much. He is a pragmatist. He will want to secure as many points as possible. He will have his own ideas who should stay and who should go. We have to respect his methods but I do hope that Alcaraz is part of his plans. Things happen when he is on the pitch. I love the way that he is never frightened to drive forwards with an abundance of skill and tenacity always apparent.
Tomorrow. Same team starts !
Rob Dolby
11 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:42:18
I wonder if Moyes doubts Alcaraz’s character. From saints to Italy to Brazil and back to England in a couple of seasons should send alarm bells ringing.
No doubting his ability on the ball. It’s off the ball that needs some focus and maybe off the pitch?
£17m is a snip in this day and age for a decent attacking midfielder.
Moyes was never one for throwing players in at the deep end. Even Rooney got the treatment.
Brendan McLaughlin
12 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:44:37
Moyes Ain’t Gonna Alter
Brian Williams
13 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:49:37
I think Alcaraz’s price is nearer to £15m.
Ian McAvoy
14 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:51:00
Its time to find a new centre forward. Broja and Beto arent cutting it at the Prem level. DCL is either done or needs to go somewhere else to continue his career. Chermiti just hasnt been used. Dont bring Richarlison back. Hes not the right choice. Not sure L Delap is worth it at £50m? Might want to go down into the championship to snag a younger and hungrier player who knows how to find the net.
Ian Bennett
15 Posted
18/04/2025 at
16:55:22
Delap has a £30m relegation release clause apparently, and is likely to have long list of chasers.
Dave Abrahams
16 Posted
18/04/2025 at
17:14:45
City are still very vulnerable defending, wide open at times so I think we can get something from this game.
Curt Snyder
17 Posted
18/04/2025 at
17:19:54
I think in a previous presser Moyes mentioned Alcaraz’s contract terms was the driver in his starts decision. Could be off there, I am trying to avoid too much Moyesology.
Brian Williams
18 Posted
18/04/2025 at
17:20:54
Matt Byrne
19 Posted
18/04/2025 at
18:22:18
Hi everyone. Off topic but I don’t know where else to post this. My wife has potentially been scammed by a company purporting to be selling £10 A4 commemorative programmes for the final Goodison game v Southampton. She saw the offer on the official Everton Facebook page and clicked the link which took her to appears to be a fake version of the Everton site. Possibly a cloned version. This opened a link to a company called Reach Sports Shop. There is a real company who sell Everton memorabilia but it seems this link was fake. She noticed spelling mistakes on the confirmation email and they even took 2 consecutive payments. I don’t do social media but can you pass on the word for everyone to watch out. I don’t want anyone losing money like she has.
Tom Bowers
20 Posted
18/04/2025 at
18:59:25
We are safe and so they can play relaxed but City are still in for a Euro spot and will be up for this. Sure they gave slipped over the last few weeks but gave Palace a 2 goal lead and a thrashing last week although poor Palace came back out and shipped in another five goals against the Barcodes.
I think Moyes probably has a good idea by now who he likes and who he doesn’t so I think he will try to get the starting eleven out on the field who he favors.
Everyone has their own opinions about that and Alcaraz is a fine player and would probably get the start by other managers but Moyes will probably disagree with most after all he continually picked players in his first tenure who I disagreed with and I am sure a few others did too.
Rob Halligan
21 Posted
18/04/2025 at
19:02:42
mailto:enquiries@reachsportshop.com
Ian Bennett
22 Posted
18/04/2025 at
19:15:11
Keep those quiet, and with a pumped to crowd, I think we can take the 3 points.
Does that include Alcaraz from the start? I think its 50:50 as to whether he can do more damage being a game changer off the bench at 60 minutes vs him being on the whole game.
I expect Moyes to pick the following
Pickford
Obrien
Mykolenko
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Gana
Garner
Doucoure
Mcneil
Beto
Ndiaye right
Danny O’Neill
23 Posted
18/04/2025 at
19:24:07
Go out and be brave Everton. We may not have much to play for, but when the players cross that line, that shouldn’t matter and they will want to win a game of football.
84-85 theme for tomorrow’s banners and former players on the pitch. I can’t believe it’s been 40 long years since witnessing that glorious team.
Bring the points home Everton. Tomorrow, like the next two, will likely be a lot of supporters’ last emotional trip to Goodison.
I always want us to win, no matter who we are playing and always believe we can win. But just perform and give it a go.
For those around, I’ll make my way to the Harlech or one of the other regular haunts if the centre of gravity shifts. Most of you have my number.
Martin Dobson and Michael Ball will be in St Lukes with the Everton Heritage Society for those wanting to pop in.
Matt Byrne
24 Posted
18/04/2025 at
19:31:16
Thanks for that Rob. Yes I’m sure the official Reach sports shop are absolutely fine. It just looks like someone is impersonating them. We will contact them on the email you’ve given.
Jonathan Oppenheimer
25 Posted
18/04/2025 at
20:03:48
Unfortunately that means more of the same, including Harrison and Doucoure, probably Beto up top. We all know what were getting with those 3, and it often aint pretty — ignoring last week — but points, plus not forcing us to buy Alcaraz with too many starts, probably are playing a big role in Moyess thinking.
No question we can take City down. Could also ship 5 goals, but will be good to see us playing without the stress of fighting relegation, as long as that doesnt breed complacency.
Dave Abrahams
26 Posted
18/04/2025 at
20:12:16
Matt (19) Thanks for that warning, the fella who sits in front of me gets the match programme every week but he is also in the process of ordering them on line for the Southampton game, he told me he would give the on line address at the next game which is tomorrow, Ill let him know the trouble youve had and take it from there. Thanks again Matt.
Matt Byrne
27 Posted
18/04/2025 at
20:17:34
Thanks Dave. It was for a special A4 larger edition of the final game Southampton programme. Obviously, it won’t have been printed yet but it purported that you could order it for £10. The bank seemed to think it was a fake account when she rang them. Thete was a £1.50 fee, so £11.50. It then took the payment twice taking £23 off her.
Mal van Schaick
28 Posted
18/04/2025 at
20:24:17
I expect Everton to defend resolutely and may be sneak a goal off a corner or free kick, as for the rest of the game City will see a lot of the ball around the eighteen yard area, they will have to convert that possession into goals and I hope that our defence holds out. A draw or narrow Everton win.
Dave Abrahams
29 Posted
18/04/2025 at
20:26:22
Matt (27)I think the fella at the game was ordering the usual match day programme— Ill let you know what he says tomorrow.
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