Michael Kenrick 04/04/2025 32comments  |  Jump to last

It's the early Saturday lunchtime kick-off for Everton as they take on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal for the final time at Goodison Park and the world will be watching as this game is broadcast live.

With another depressing derby consigned to the history books, Everton's players need to show some rapid powers of recovery following the effort they put in on Wednesday night with less than a 3-day gap between successive encounters against two teams at the top of the Premier League.

Hopefully David Moyes will not be tempted to start an unchanged team once again as some of the performances were well below par (Doucoure and Harrison), with Illiman Ndiaye still working his way back to full fitness. The possibility exists that Dwight McNeil will be ready. Moyes said "He is getting closer and has been back in training the past three or four days." But he too has missed an awful lot of games and can surely only play a bit part. 

McNeil was not part of the squad at Anfield, but he has been seeing in training sessions at Finch Farm. And the manager will probably have to keep faith with Beto as his lone striker despite more missed chances. Beto has failed to find the net in his last four starts after that wonderful spell when he scored a stunning five goals in four Premier League games.

But Broja has yet to score and has seemed destined to appear only as a late (usually far too late) substitute, until now, with Moyes teasing: "I think he has got some real good qualities and ability. He has got some speed about him, as well. I think we need to give him an opportunity to show what he can do."

Other choices do not include Jesper Lindstrøm, who is seeing a specialist over his groin injury, which could be a hernia. He will not be missed as he has been so comprehensively ineffective as an attacking player during his thoroughly unconvincing loan spell at the club.

The manager appears to believe that Chermiti and Iroegbunam are only good enough for the subs bench.

A bit more faith has been shown in Charly Alcaraz, who provides a lingering hope that pure footballing skill so rarely seen nowadays in an Everton shirt can elevate this performance above the mundane defensive slog that remains Moyes's modus operandi.  But his performance against Liverpool was largely anonymous. 

Moyes certainly faces a huge challenge to get anything out of this game, as his extended 'new manager' bounce ultimately came to an end in a miserable second-half performance that culminated in defeat across the park. Having overseen just one win in the last eight games, with his fabled defensive prowess boasting no clean sheets at all in that sequence, it certainly puts a different gloss on what should have been a 10-match unbeaten run going into this fixture. 

Arteta will be without defender Gabriel, who will miss the remainder of the season after the club confirmed he requires hamstring surgery; he was substituted in the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 win against Fulham at the Emirates on Tuesday. But Saka returns and will no doubt be a handful for the Everton defenders.

Arsenal seem to have found their way again last month, remaining unbeaten after they suffered a couple of surprising defeats in February, to West Ham Utd and Newcastle Utd. 

 

Reader Comments (32)

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Raymond Fox
1 Posted 04/04/2025 at 09:57:18
I think we are cast iron safe but a point or two from our remaining games would be nice.

I can't honestly see a win in this game, but a draw is a realistic outcome.

I would like to see us have a go at them; if they catch us out, so be it.

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 04/04/2025 at 10:13:15
I think we can get something out of this game if we have eleven players on the field contributing more than just running around.

I've backed them to win — at odds of 16/5 — I couldn't miss that.

Gabriel is out which means Arsenal will miss him at both ends of the field. Although they have got back to winning ways, they have struggled to get those wins. Mind you, we've only won one in seven ourselves… but we are due for one — aren't we?

Roger Helm
3 Posted 04/04/2025 at 10:45:42
Anybody remember the film Marvellous and Neil Baldwin’s team talk? You’ve got to play well. And - kick the ball into their goal more often than they kick it into ours.

Simple.

Ray Robinson
4 Posted 04/04/2025 at 11:28:22
Think we can win this one if we start with Alcaraz, Ndiaye (if fit) and Iroegbunam.

Start with Harrison and Doucoure and it'll be a whole lot more difficult.

Derek Knox
5 Posted 04/04/2025 at 11:35:55
Ray @ 4, totally concur mate,.

I can't see the point in playing Doucoure or Harrison, even though we are limited by availability, as they will be history by next season, and produce very little!

Kunal Desai
6 Posted 04/04/2025 at 11:53:24
I was at the Emirates on Tuesday, this was an awful game. Arsenal were marginally the better side but Fulham really should have taken a point. Muniz missed an open goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Odegaard seems to have lost his mojo, Martinelli looked dangerous on the left but Gabriel will be a big miss for them. They looked pretty ordinary.

I expect they will make changes with one eye on Real Madrid. Let's cease the opportunity here.

I'd like to see Broja of the left, dropping either Harrison or Doucoure.

Christy Ring
7 Posted 04/04/2025 at 11:59:53
Agree entirely with the earlier comments. Harrison should be lucky to make the bench, and as for Doucoure, even though Moyes said in his press conference, does a lot of work off the ball, but he does nothing with it. Start Ndiaye, Alcaraz at 10, and give NcNeil a start, until he tires.

Listening to Moyes earlier, he said Tarkowski and his family are getting abuse online, expected nothing better from redshite fans, history never lies.

Danny O'Neill
8 Posted 04/04/2025 at 12:12:22
Well, out of my meeting, that I had to travel back for. Back to get changed and then heading up for tomorrow.

I think we can sneak this one. Then again, I always do. As usual, I won't even try to predict the line-up.

Time to put Wednesday night behind us and focus on this one now.

Beto to score!!

Liam Mogan
9 Posted 04/04/2025 at 12:15:56
Like you, Danny, I think we can get something tomorrow.

Early KO, sun shining, hopefully a pint or 2. Gabriel will be a big loss for them, both defensively and from corners. Only 4 to go at Goodison. Jeez.

COYB!

Mark Murphy
10 Posted 04/04/2025 at 12:41:18
Probably my last game in the home seats at Goodison (I have a cunning plan for the Saints game) so I'm hoping for a win. It will be a bittersweet experience but I'm looking forward to the day immensely. I will probably watch the Grand National in the Harlech or the Brick afterwards so making a day of it!

I'm also hoping Moyes saw enough, of Harrison at least, to make a couple of changes and we have a strong starting eleven with no passengers.

Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 04/04/2025 at 12:58:05
Mark (10), Alias Baldrick — don't try that cunning plan, you'll only fuck it up, especially with six or seven pints down you!
Jerome Shields
12 Posted 04/04/2025 at 13:12:20
At least it's not after the break, so all the team should be on the ball. Expect Moyes to go negative, with the same selection and defensive.

If he doesn't make timely substitutions and keep the defensive line from going deep in the second half, Everton will be overrun.

Danny O'Neill
13 Posted 04/04/2025 at 13:43:26
Random one. It's Senegalese Indepedence Day today. Let's hope Gana Gueye and our not so little magician, Iliman are both on the pitch tomorrow.

"From Senegal to Bramley-Moore Dock". Mark, you can test me on the way in!

Jay Harris
14 Posted 04/04/2025 at 15:41:32
Just listening to Moysey's press conference where he was explaining it was difficult to fit Charly and Doucoure in the same team because of Doucoures work rate off the ball and that is also why he hasn't played Ndiaye in the 10 role.

Personally I would like to see a MF three of Jimmy, Tim and Gana with a front three of Ndiaye Beto and Alcaraz maybe giving Mcneill and Broja the last 30 minutes as they tire.

Billy Shears
15 Posted 04/04/2025 at 15:51:40
Tough April...Gooners win this one too...
1-2 I'm afraid!
Ken Kneale
16 Posted 04/04/2025 at 16:33:11
Great read Danny.

I think it is sad over the fan base gap and line Peter at one time would visit Anfield on occasion.

I have several RS friend's who love football and feel the same. Sadly I also have a greater number of the brainwashed who know little about their club. Such is life - we have unrivalled history and it is pretty easy to put them in their box.

I love your positivity - I hope and trust the new owners share your ambition - this club and its unrivalled supporters deserve no less

Danny O'Neill
17 Posted 04/04/2025 at 17:10:01
kin'el Billy, where's your optimism? We go into every match to win. If can't win we draw. If we can't draw, we go down fighting.
Colin Malone
18 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:22:30
Jay % 14.
Totally agree.. I thought Moyes had improved, through all his travels. Any decent coach could improved, Dyches Sunday league 70s football. Only time will tell but I wasn't impressed with his comments on the useless doucoure.
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
Paul Ferry
19 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:29:25
Kunal Desai 6: "I was at the Emirates on Tuesday. "

'kin Hell Kunal, I hope that you did not pay a penny to get in. We're you scouting their firm by any chance?

I think one thing that is certain is that Doucoure will start. Moyes took me back in time in Wednesday's second half not changing anything on and off the pitch for the better and then late-ish subs.

I'm excited to see Ndiaye, Charly, and Iroegbunam start together. Sadly, I don't think that Mr. Moyes is.

It would be nice if Beto with his recent run of pitiful howlers (more than anyone he has cost us points over the last few games) remembered how to score. I'm reminded of the voices on here tellings us in January/February is that all we need to do is put the ball in front of Beto to run onto and BANG BIFFO BAM GOAL

Brighter point: our subs bench is starting to look strongish.

I don't understand how anyone could predict us to lose before a ball is kicked. At worst this might be a draw but I take heart from Kunal's comments and missing Gabriel and I see a 2-1 here.

Big worry for me is that Saka is back and will surely start tomorrow.

Mike Hayes
20 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:36:48
Moyes should have the players up for this after Wednesday. Doucoure and Harrison completely rested - at home with luck.
Can’t carry on like Dyche playing work horses who produce nothing, let others have a go, they must be hungry to play 🤷
Give Chermiti and Broja a chance
Beto’s had his and turned into DCL. We can win this. 3 points for start of the final run in 💙
Raymond Fox
21 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:36:48
I'm not sure who decides the 'where and when' of the fixtures but it seems a little daft for us to be playing Arsenal at home on Grand National day.
Mike Hayes
22 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:37:47
Raymond Fox and the day before the red shite play 🤷💙
Kunal Desai
23 Posted 04/04/2025 at 19:47:07
#19 Paul Ferry, spare club lounge seat, invited by my brother who is a gooner. Freebie, bit hazy towards the end with the ale in full flow :-)
Danny O'Neill
24 Posted 04/04/2025 at 20:07:24
Raymond, the train up this evening is half empty.

I was considering travelling up early doors tomorrow morning, but I’ve made the right choice.

A few Gunners about and I’ve attracted attracted attention, as I’ve got my “I’d rather walk alone” T-shirt on!

Rob Halligan
25 Posted 04/04/2025 at 20:12:12
Raymond # 21……not half as daft as when we played Man Utd at home on Grand National day a few years back, which was also a 12.30 kick off.
Danny O'Neill
26 Posted 04/04/2025 at 20:19:02
If the ageing memory recalls, didn’t whoever was at home had an early kick off on National day?
Rob Halligan
27 Posted 04/04/2025 at 20:21:32
They did, Danny, or it was moved to the Sunday.
Mark Murphy
28 Posted 04/04/2025 at 21:02:56
“From Senegal to Bramley-Moore Dock"
Fcuks sakes Danny, you’re worse than my missus at the lyrics!
“Buffalo shoulders” by Bob Marley
And “White, white Horses” by the Stones are my biggest teeth grinders…
It’s
“From Senegal
To Bramley Moore
He’s fuckin magic
He’s the one that we adore”

The dock is superfluous!
Manana amigo!

Rob Halligan
29 Posted 04/04/2025 at 21:11:27
Mark, can we change “Marching down Goodison Road” to “Marching down Regent Road “?
Danny O'Neill
30 Posted 04/04/2025 at 21:32:03
Rob, I still think we'd have to take out the windows open wide, the coppers and candles for Mark!!
Paul Hewitt
31 Posted 04/04/2025 at 21:54:40
Feeling confident about tomorrow, Arsenal with have one eye on Tuesdays champions League game. 2-1 win.
Paul Ferry
32 Posted 04/04/2025 at 23:27:04
Thank fuck for that. 2-1 for us it is.

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