Michael Kenrick 23/05/2025 27comments  |  Jump to last

Everton wrap up another roller-coaster season with a trip to the Northeast where they will face a Newcastle Utd side still desparte to secure Champions League qualification with a win on Sunday.

The last season at Goodison Park at times really plumbed uncharted depths under Sean Dyche but it will be completed with Everton finishing 13th in the Premier League, well above the relegation zone, thanks to a remarkable turnaround in fortunes overseen by David Moyes.

But decisons must be made on a host of players whose loan or contract deals are due ot terminate in the summer. Two loan players who have spent the final weeks of the season out injured, Orel Managala and Jesper Lindstrom, seem certain to return to their parent clubs, while it has been confirmed that Abdoulaye Docoure, Ashley Young Joao Virgoinia and Asmir Begovic will all be leaving the club, but could still be part of the squad on Sunday.

As for the rest on the list, "We'll put something out on Monday," said David Moyes in his Friday press confernec, explaining his players' contract situations.

And on the injury front, it's no surprise that Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman will miss thus final-day clash after they both sustained injuries last weekend.

As for the opposition, it appears that Alexander Isak is a major doubt. Joelinton,  Lewis Hall and Matt Targett will be missing.

Kick-Off: 4 pm BST, Sunday 25 May 2025 

Referee: Tony Harrington. 
Assistants: Dan Cook, Sam Lewis. 
Fourth Official: Tom Neild 
Video Assistant Referee: Paul Tierney. 
Assistant VAR: Wade Smith.

 

Reader Comments (27)

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Geoff Trenner
1 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:36:01
With Tarks and Jarrad both missing so presumably we’ll see Keane and young Jake as our centre half pairing. Normally that would concern me but this is, for us, a game of zero consequence.
Good to see Jarrad joined by James Garner in the England U21s though I think that Jarrad has done enough to be in the senior squad
Jim Bennings
2 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:48:18
Don't give them an easy afternoon.

Get stuck into them, its the last game of the season, put on a show, play to our maximum then have a good long break, just hate that switching off in games.

Andrew Keatley
3 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:55:32
Geoff (1) - Think you might have read an old squad announcement for the U21s; James Garner is 24 now, and Branthwaite misses out because he is injured.
Ryan Holroyd
4 Posted 23/05/2025 at 15:56:32
Branthwaite isn’t even in the under 21s

Neil Lawson
5 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:01:56
Intrigued to know how Moyes will approach this game. 13th guaranteed. I would really like him to be innovative. Everything to gain. Nowt to lose. Perhaps a last chance for Patterson ( unless his exit card already marked). Give Chermiti some significant time. Tim too. No Doucoure. Hopefully no Harrison. Such a shame that Armstrong can not start. Have a go at them. If it goes belly up then lessons will be learnt. If it goes well it could help inform choices for the future.
But this is Moyes so I have serious doubts.
Joe Lockrobin
6 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:10:56
Flip flops on, wind break hammered in, towel spread out, sunscreen applied…
Neil Cremin
7 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:18:10
If we want to win the game, I could well see the logic of playing Doucs and Harrison on Sunday. with a back four of 3 who have not played together Young, O. Brien, Keane we will need players who will be able to help protect them and carry the ball to their defence relieving pressure on ours. If we want to experiment, then I would like to see what Chemitri would do and may give Tim a run also. Would definitely play DCL and bring in Beto if we are still level and they are desperate for a winner. Beto speed off the mark on a counter could give is a goal and a win. In m humble opinion.
Geoff Trenner
8 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:18:11
Jim @3 and Ryan @4, sure I saw it on the BBC website but just checked and you are right, neither are there. Must be my age!!
Geoff Trenner
9 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:21:36
Joe, are you watching me? The only thing you missed is the very large G&T!
Christy Ring
10 Posted 23/05/2025 at 16:26:37
It's going to be a tough task at Newcastle, with Branthwaite now joining Tarkowski on the treatment table, and especially if Isak starts. The only good thing is that we're guaranteed 13th place and the players can enjoy the last game, the pressure is on the magpies.
Jay Harris
11 Posted 23/05/2025 at 17:00:41
This is a time for testing players out under the pressure of the skunks and crowd baying for a win.

Its a free hit for us so I would give some game time to Tim, Chermiti, Patto and see how they cope

Scott Hamilton
12 Posted 23/05/2025 at 17:17:08
Joe - I hate to sound cynical/pessimistic but with so many players about to depart the club, I can see their minds being elsewhere, as you suggest.

Last Sunday will have been the de facto ‘last game of the season’ as far as many were concerned. Getting dry-humped by the barcodes will probably be of little consequence.

Hope I’m wrong.

Anyway, pass me the factor 6 (hey, I’m a child of the 70s/80s) and that copy of the Viz.

Dale Self
13 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:02:03
Moyes knows he still needs to impress and has somewhat called on the owner to flash some cash. A decent result at Skunks will make the case stronger than words.

As to how, well..

I will go out on a limb, which may well snap, and state Keane will play a blinder. That is without dark glasses and a cane. We may see O'Brien and Keane in their box more than expected. Both are capable finishers.

Barcodes will be tight in the early minutes. With either Chelsea or Forest going ahead, they could get distracted and leave an opening.

Tough to beat in the first 45. Go all out for it in the second half. UTFT!

Robert Tressell
14 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:03:26
I would have thought Moyes will field a fairly familiar line up to try to make sure we don’t get a good hiding.

Could it be Coleman’s last ever game for us?

Liam Mogan
15 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:06:29
Dale 13 - I've read a few posts which say Moyes said something about the owners needing to spend.

I've not read anything though? What exactly did Moyes say mate?

Liam Mogan
16 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:07:03
Seamus is injured Robert
Dale Self
17 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:11:13
It was in his post match presser I think Liam. I will look it up and report back.
Robert Tressell
18 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:20:29
That answers that then Liam! I was wondering about the Moyes comments too. Interesting to see what was actually said.

Dale Self
19 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:28:47
I keep getting interrupted and search like an infant on my phone, it could be a little while. It is buried in all the final day celebration posts, sorry.
Brian Harrison
20 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:45:03
Little to play for, 13th place guaranteed and some players who wont be here next season will be playing. Now they wont want to get injured with their contract about to expire and any club looking to sign any of these players might not if they pick a an injury. I hope Chermetti gets some game time, will be interesting to see if Alcaraz starts. Hopefully those players who will be here next season don't pick up an injury.
Danny O'Neill
21 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:46:00
I really don't care who plays tomorrow. I don't care too much about who qualifies for Champions League, but will light a candle for Villa. Just play with freedom Everton.

I'm looking forward to everything apart from those stairs up to the away section. Anyone else there, give me a shout. This time I am going to try and find the escalators.

I'm looking forward to meeting Neil and hopefully Rob. I'm also meeting up with a friend and ex-Army colleague from County Durham, who has followed Newcastle all his life.

They may have charged me in excess of £100 for a train ticket, and that is with an Armed Forces Veterans Railcard, but I don't care

I got asked by my sister if I would be glad to have a break from Everton and the travelling. I said yes, but the novelty will wear off after about an hour as I wait for pre-season and August.

Some may say it doesn't mean a lot to us, but for me, any time an Everton team takes to a field of football, it matters.

I'm looking forward to seeing the boys off after another traumatic season. And that Jordan Pickford song ringing out from the heavens.

Kevin Molloy
22 Posted 23/05/2025 at 18:52:36
I can't see us being up for this to be honest. We've got nothing to play for, and half the players don't know if they'll be here next season. Couple that with Newcastle's desperation and it doesn't feel like a fair fight. The wild card is though, if Newcastle are too nervous, we could then play with freedom and enjoy ourselves.
Rob Halligan
23 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:05:28
Danny, there are no escalators up, it’s either a lift or those 140 steps.
Raymond Fox
24 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:23:51
The betting is approx.1/4 Newcastle, 8/1 Everton, and 7/2 a Draw.

Our defence is shot for this game and you would have to be a supreme optimist - Danny- to fancy us to get anything.
It would be a great help if Isak didn't play, if he is fit I think we are goosed.

On a brighter note they have suprised us a few times this season, maybe this could be another one.

Rob Halligan
25 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:31:41
Dann,we’re on the train on Sunday, due into Skunksville around 12.15. let me know what your plans are.
Dennis Stevens
26 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:39:01
Somebody's going to die on those stairs one day
Liam Mogan
27 Posted 23/05/2025 at 19:47:01
Not really much riding on the game Sunday, but as always want a win!

Big Yerry Mina playing for Calgiari as they take on Napoli who are trying to win Serie A, with Lukaku up front.

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