Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
We owe them for 2009. We wuz robbed.
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Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Chelsea vs Everton
F.A Cup Fourth Round
24th January 2026
A tough away game in the cup for Everton as they faced league leaders Chelsea. Patterson came back in at Right Back and Valle got a start at Left Back. Everton were victorious the last time the two sides met and both sides went strong in the FA Cup and Chelsea were on a 5 match win streak since the defeat to Everton in December. Fiver minutes gone and Gonzalez had gave possession away twice it let to a shot from Mudryk but Pickford tipped it over. Gonzalez has struggled to find form lately and seems to be troubled by something. Gallagher managed to get the ball through the tight Everton defence on 11 minutes and Jackson was there to knock it over the line, 1-0 to the home side. Chelsea conceded a free-kick, 30 yards out from goal and Samardzic fancied it, he went for goal and got it over the wall and floated into the top right corner, what a strike! Everton back in the game! Everton don't score many free-kicks and that was special! Chelsea made changes taking off Jackson for Fofana. Garner came on with around 30 minutes to go replacing goal scorer Samardzic. Roony came down the right, his pace was too much for Mudryk and Cucurella knew not to get drawn in, he put the cross in for Beto at the far post and Hedl stood big to keep it out. Three youngsters came on for Everton, Guler replaced Roriguez, Moleiro replaced Gonzalez and Konaye replaced Beto. Matsima cleared Palmer's corner and Garner beat Fofana to the ball and Fofana left one on him, Garner went down but Guler came charging forward to take the loose ball, Darren England waved play on, Guler got to the box and chipped it in for Moleiro but Hedl rose to catch it. Fofana got away with one there, the referee never even looked at it. Roony came down the right with the ball and this was working for Everton, he crossed in and he found Konate who battled with Disasi to win the header to make it 2-1! Everton lead with 16 minutes to go! Pickford ran out of his goal to beat Fofana to the ball and he played it to Patterson who passed to Onana and he played it forward to Guler who ran forward, Guler making the difference since coming on, he lofted it left to Moleiro and he knocked it into the box for Konate who blazed it over but he was offside anyway. Chelsea piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes and Everton were defending well. Matsima done well to block Fofana and concede a corner on 88 minutes. Palmer put the ball in and Pickford caught it to the delight of the travelling supporters. An additional 5 minutes went up but Everton still came forward showing Chelsea what they are capable of, Roony who had covered a lot of ground was running on empty but his shot was tipped over by Hedl. Seconds remained and Guler won the ball back as the whistle was blown and a stroke of genius from Ferguson to get another one over on Pochettino! Into the hat for the fifth round!
Duncan, the subs made the difference, what was the thinking?
DF: Three young lads who can run! Get on the ball, show no fear and have a go. They were excellent and they changed the game. Roony was unstoppable also and credit to Pickford and the defence for holding firm to keep Chelsea out.
PLAYER RATINGS
Norwich City vs Everton
31st January 2025
The transfer window was a couple of days away from closing and no further interest was made in James Garner. Everton were also not interested in bringing in anyone else this window. Everton had to be careful of complacency even though Norwich had only one win so far this season and were firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. Rodriguez played the ball through for Beto to slot into the bottom right corner on 3 minutes but he looked offside as he put it in. Yes, ruled out, the flag eventually went up. Roony seemed to be off and looked like he was carrying a knock so Ferguson took him off and brought on Moleiro, he switched sides with Gonzalez. It was delight at Carrow Road on 14 minutes when Sargent played in Fassnacht and he poked it under the arm of the outstretched Pickford to make it 1-0. Everton had a chance to level on 25 minutes when Gunn's kick out was intercepted by Gonzalez and he got it all wrong with a poor shot into the keepers hands. Pickford punched Sara's corner and Samardzic was away, he played it down the right for Gonzalez to chase and he took it to the byline, he played it into the box and Rodriguez's shot was saved by Gunn. Everton went in at half-time trailing and just struggled to make an impact on the match. Five minutes after the restart and Everton got on the ball, Patterson switched it intelligently to Moleiro on in space on the left, he took a touch and crossed into the six yard box for Rodriguez to head past Gunn and level! Shane Duffy was complaining to the referee about a shove but no foul given. Samardzic played a great ball forward into the box and Rodriguez got a touch to it but Gunn done enough to stop it going in, good save. Ferguson made a second change, Konate came on for Beto. A few minutes later it was Gonzalez who went down and he had to go off, being replaced by Guler. Patterson passed to Rodriguez with 5 minutes to go and he lofted it into the box, Konate took it down on his chest and tried to find the bottom corner but Gunn was there again. Everton could not get the winner despite being on top in the second half, Norwich refusing to give in and both sides take a point.
Duncan, you've lost ground on Aston Villa in 7th, surely now your aim is to beat Leeds in the cup final?
DF: Well of course it is but we still want to finish high in the table, it was a disappointing result but there's no cause for concern. I'm sure the supporters would be delighted to win the League Cup and take a decent finish in the league. It's not to say we aren't taking things seriously because Leeds are in great form and I am very wary of them.
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool vs Everton
4th February 2026
The second Merseyside Derby rolled around after a 0-0 draw when these sides met in September. It was a feisty game with the referee brandishing five yellow cards but a solid Everton performance fought out a draw. Liverpool were not at their best and as the season went on, now sit nine points behind leaders Chelsea. Amadou Onana was recovering from injury so Federico Redondo was his first league start. Arda Guler's recent good form kept him in the side ahead of James Rodriguez. Karim Konate got a deserved start in place of Beto. Liverpool were in control and a poor pass from Roony allowed Szoboszlai to play it through to Nunez and he knocked it past Pickford making it 1-0 on 16 minutes. Nicolas Gonzalez went off for Everton with an injury on 20 minutes and Alberto Moleiro came on. It was too easy for Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold played it to Elliott who drove the ball low and past Pickford from outside the box on 22 minutes to double the lead. Elliott had only been on the pitch for a minute after replacing the injured Szoboszlai. Liverpool were on top but Pickford made some good saves to keep the score down, Branthwaite took a terrible touch on the stroke of half-time and Nunez nicked it from him, Matsima got across and he played it to Diaz who struck wide. Well played by Matsima. The first half was poor from Everton and Ferguson was raging. Ferguson made three changes with 35 minutes to go, Beto replaced Konate who had a poor game, Mykolenko went off for Valle and Doucoure came on for Redondo. Garner played it through to Beto, just how he likes it and his shot was tipped away by Alisson. Massive improvement from Guler in the second half as he got on the ball and ran down the left, he crossed in for Beto but his shot was blocked by Rudiger. Valle put the ball low into the box on 68 minutes and Guler was caught in the ankle by Konate, who had already been booked and the away fams chanted for the red card. Attwell gave the penalty, but Konate stayed on the pitch! Guler placed it down and rolled it into the bottom left sending Alisson the wrong way! Everton back in it! Liverpool hit back a few minutes later and Konate crossed in to find Diaz to head in at the far post, 3-1. Everton lost the ball from the kick-off, Alexander-Arnold played it for Nunez to latch on to and he made it 4-1, Liverpool on their way to victory. Liverpool were rampant and Everton looked nervous, Elliott's ball in for Aursnes was perfect and he smashed it past an onrushing Pickford. Liverpool were well in the mood and it was an Everton of old performance as they crumbled at Anfield.
DF: It goes down as a poor, poor showing and the result reflects the performance. Getting stuffed is bad enough but hurts even more at Anfield, they were up for it, they had the atmosphere and they deserved the win. It shows that we still have work to do as a team and we need to raise the standard if we are to enjoy success this season.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
F.A Cup Fourth Round
24th January 2026
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A tough away game in the cup for Everton as they faced league leaders Chelsea. Patterson came back in at Right Back and Valle got a start at Left Back. Everton were victorious the last time the two sides met and both sides went strong in the FA Cup and Chelsea were on a 5 match win streak since the defeat to Everton in December. Fiver minutes gone and Gonzalez had gave possession away twice it let to a shot from Mudryk but Pickford tipped it over. Gonzalez has struggled to find form lately and seems to be troubled by something. Gallagher managed to get the ball through the tight Everton defence on 11 minutes and Jackson was there to knock it over the line, 1-0 to the home side. Chelsea conceded a free-kick, 30 yards out from goal and Samardzic fancied it, he went for goal and got it over the wall and floated into the top right corner, what a strike! Everton back in the game! Everton don't score many free-kicks and that was special! Chelsea made changes taking off Jackson for Fofana. Garner came on with around 30 minutes to go replacing goal scorer Samardzic. Roony came down the right, his pace was too much for Mudryk and Cucurella knew not to get drawn in, he put the cross in for Beto at the far post and Hedl stood big to keep it out. Three youngsters came on for Everton, Guler replaced Roriguez, Moleiro replaced Gonzalez and Konaye replaced Beto. Matsima cleared Palmer's corner and Garner beat Fofana to the ball and Fofana left one on him, Garner went down but Guler came charging forward to take the loose ball, Darren England waved play on, Guler got to the box and chipped it in for Moleiro but Hedl rose to catch it. Fofana got away with one there, the referee never even looked at it. Roony came down the right with the ball and this was working for Everton, he crossed in and he found Konate who battled with Disasi to win the header to make it 2-1! Everton lead with 16 minutes to go! Pickford ran out of his goal to beat Fofana to the ball and he played it to Patterson who passed to Onana and he played it forward to Guler who ran forward, Guler making the difference since coming on, he lofted it left to Moleiro and he knocked it into the box for Konate who blazed it over but he was offside anyway. Chelsea piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes and Everton were defending well. Matsima done well to block Fofana and concede a corner on 88 minutes. Palmer put the ball in and Pickford caught it to the delight of the travelling supporters. An additional 5 minutes went up but Everton still came forward showing Chelsea what they are capable of, Roony who had covered a lot of ground was running on empty but his shot was tipped over by Hedl. Seconds remained and Guler won the ball back as the whistle was blown and a stroke of genius from Ferguson to get another one over on Pochettino! Into the hat for the fifth round!
Duncan, the subs made the difference, what was the thinking?
DF: Three young lads who can run! Get on the ball, show no fear and have a go. They were excellent and they changed the game. Roony was unstoppable also and credit to Pickford and the defence for holding firm to keep Chelsea out.
PLAYER RATINGS
Norwich City vs Everton
31st January 2025
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The transfer window was a couple of days away from closing and no further interest was made in James Garner. Everton were also not interested in bringing in anyone else this window. Everton had to be careful of complacency even though Norwich had only one win so far this season and were firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. Rodriguez played the ball through for Beto to slot into the bottom right corner on 3 minutes but he looked offside as he put it in. Yes, ruled out, the flag eventually went up. Roony seemed to be off and looked like he was carrying a knock so Ferguson took him off and brought on Moleiro, he switched sides with Gonzalez. It was delight at Carrow Road on 14 minutes when Sargent played in Fassnacht and he poked it under the arm of the outstretched Pickford to make it 1-0. Everton had a chance to level on 25 minutes when Gunn's kick out was intercepted by Gonzalez and he got it all wrong with a poor shot into the keepers hands. Pickford punched Sara's corner and Samardzic was away, he played it down the right for Gonzalez to chase and he took it to the byline, he played it into the box and Rodriguez's shot was saved by Gunn. Everton went in at half-time trailing and just struggled to make an impact on the match. Five minutes after the restart and Everton got on the ball, Patterson switched it intelligently to Moleiro on in space on the left, he took a touch and crossed into the six yard box for Rodriguez to head past Gunn and level! Shane Duffy was complaining to the referee about a shove but no foul given. Samardzic played a great ball forward into the box and Rodriguez got a touch to it but Gunn done enough to stop it going in, good save. Ferguson made a second change, Konate came on for Beto. A few minutes later it was Gonzalez who went down and he had to go off, being replaced by Guler. Patterson passed to Rodriguez with 5 minutes to go and he lofted it into the box, Konate took it down on his chest and tried to find the bottom corner but Gunn was there again. Everton could not get the winner despite being on top in the second half, Norwich refusing to give in and both sides take a point.
Duncan, you've lost ground on Aston Villa in 7th, surely now your aim is to beat Leeds in the cup final?
DF: Well of course it is but we still want to finish high in the table, it was a disappointing result but there's no cause for concern. I'm sure the supporters would be delighted to win the League Cup and take a decent finish in the league. It's not to say we aren't taking things seriously because Leeds are in great form and I am very wary of them.
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool vs Everton
4th February 2026
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The second Merseyside Derby rolled around after a 0-0 draw when these sides met in September. It was a feisty game with the referee brandishing five yellow cards but a solid Everton performance fought out a draw. Liverpool were not at their best and as the season went on, now sit nine points behind leaders Chelsea. Amadou Onana was recovering from injury so Federico Redondo was his first league start. Arda Guler's recent good form kept him in the side ahead of James Rodriguez. Karim Konate got a deserved start in place of Beto. Liverpool were in control and a poor pass from Roony allowed Szoboszlai to play it through to Nunez and he knocked it past Pickford making it 1-0 on 16 minutes. Nicolas Gonzalez went off for Everton with an injury on 20 minutes and Alberto Moleiro came on. It was too easy for Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold played it to Elliott who drove the ball low and past Pickford from outside the box on 22 minutes to double the lead. Elliott had only been on the pitch for a minute after replacing the injured Szoboszlai. Liverpool were on top but Pickford made some good saves to keep the score down, Branthwaite took a terrible touch on the stroke of half-time and Nunez nicked it from him, Matsima got across and he played it to Diaz who struck wide. Well played by Matsima. The first half was poor from Everton and Ferguson was raging. Ferguson made three changes with 35 minutes to go, Beto replaced Konate who had a poor game, Mykolenko went off for Valle and Doucoure came on for Redondo. Garner played it through to Beto, just how he likes it and his shot was tipped away by Alisson. Massive improvement from Guler in the second half as he got on the ball and ran down the left, he crossed in for Beto but his shot was blocked by Rudiger. Valle put the ball low into the box on 68 minutes and Guler was caught in the ankle by Konate, who had already been booked and the away fams chanted for the red card. Attwell gave the penalty, but Konate stayed on the pitch! Guler placed it down and rolled it into the bottom left sending Alisson the wrong way! Everton back in it! Liverpool hit back a few minutes later and Konate crossed in to find Diaz to head in at the far post, 3-1. Everton lost the ball from the kick-off, Alexander-Arnold played it for Nunez to latch on to and he made it 4-1, Liverpool on their way to victory. Liverpool were rampant and Everton looked nervous, Elliott's ball in for Aursnes was perfect and he smashed it past an onrushing Pickford. Liverpool were well in the mood and it was an Everton of old performance as they crumbled at Anfield.
DF: It goes down as a poor, poor showing and the result reflects the performance. Getting stuffed is bad enough but hurts even more at Anfield, they were up for it, they had the atmosphere and they deserved the win. It shows that we still have work to do as a team and we need to raise the standard if we are to enjoy success this season.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
wainy
Player Valuation: £35m
Did he hug the boy when we scored though?
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs West Ham United
8th February 2026
Everton needed to get back to winning ways and Ferguson hammered home the importance to be better in his pre-match press conference. Aston Villa were pulling away and held a nine point lead on The Toffees. Karim Konate missed out due to picking up an injury the day before the game so Beto was in the side to try to get back to scoring ways and to put things right after a terrible derby performance. Alex Valle started at Left Back and James Rodriguez started behind Beto. Branthwaitye intercepted the ball before Kudus could get there and played it forward to Samardzic who ran forward, he had options either side and played in Rodriguez but Zouma used his strength to force his shot wide. Bowen camer forward and played it to Paqueta and he put it across the box for Kudus to knock in to give the visitors the lead on 25 minutes. Roony went down injured after a challenge with Zouma and came off on 33 minutes being replaced by Gonzalez. Ferguson urged Everton forward and it was working but Zouma was having a good game for The Hammers. Onana couldn't keep up with Kudus on the right and he was allowed too much space to get the ball to Pacqueta who played in Ward-Prowse at the far post to knock in to make it two. Everton struggling. You have to give it to West Ham, they are solid at the back. Beto came down the left and managed to get the ball into the box for Gonzalez but he headed over the bar. Moyes brought on Johnson for Kudus in an attempt to protect the lead in the last five minutes. Ferguson could not wait to get down the tunnel and was already heading there before the whistle. Everton are not in a good place right now and what ever they are trying to do is not working. Players look tired and in poor form, the football just isn't working and it seems that changes are needed.
PLAYER RATINGS
DF: I am not happy, I can't sit back and watch the season fall apart. I will make the right changes and if players aren't up to the task, I'll find out and take them out of the team. I need something fresh and a bit different, what I have tried to do hasn't worked recently.
Everton vs Nottingham Forest
11th February 2026
If there ever was a time Everton needed a win to even try to keep within earshot of a European place, it was now. Steve Cooper's Forest were not in great form themselves and came up on the back of two defeats to Tottenham and Man Utd. Ferguson said there will be changes and he certainly did that, Godfrey and Zubelida both came in at the back and a midfield pairing of Garner and Samardzic. Roony was injured again and was ruled out for a few weeks with a groin strain so Muhammed Cham started on the right with Alberto Moleiro on the left. Konate was also recovering from injury so it was a chance for Beto to try to capture his goalscoring form. Nine league goals for Beto so far this season and at this point last season he had scored seventeen! The match started and Zubeldia gave away a cheap free-kick which Talisca fancied his chance from, his effort was deflected behind by Patterson in an early chance for Forest. Hudson-Odoi played the corner into the box AND Sangare got in front of Valle and made it 1-0. Bad start for Everton. Everton came forward and Forest sat back defending to keep Everton out, can they hold this lead or hit Everton on the break? Cham went down injured after a challenge with Williams and he came off on 27 minutes being replaced by Francis Okoronkwo. Okoronkwo hit an optimistic ball forward which was retrieved by Valle on the left, he chipped it to Samardzic on the edge of the box who had time to watch it come down and strike it with his right foot but the keeper pushed it away. Everton fighting for the equaliser but at the break it was Forest who led. Pickford played the ball downfield on 48 minutes and it bounced clear for Samardzic to take it down and with a touch taking it away from Sangare he was through on goal, he got to the edge of the box and rolled it into the bottom right corner beat the outstretched Vlachodimos levelling the score! Everton made two changes with 30 minutes to go, Onana came on for Samardzic and Gonzalez came on for Moleiro. Forest made changes and Cooper wanted to win this game, Elanga was capable of causing problems down the left side and when the ball came in for Awoniyi, he only had to find the net but Pickford done everything right in rushging out and closing him down, great stop. Okoronkwo came down the right and played it towards the box for Patterson to chase on to but he was brought down by Danilo, surely a penalty? Given! Danilo can have no complaints over that, it was blatant. Gonzalez stepped up for Everton, could this help him into better form? Blasted into the top right corner, what a strike! Everton come from behind! Everton just had to see it through, Mykolenko came on for the last ten minutes replacing Valle. With four added minutes, Okoronkwo took the ball inside the box from Garner and tried to hold it up but Murillo took his leg and the referee gave Everton another penalty! Arda Guler asked Nico Gonzalez if he could have this one and he obliged, Guler placed it down and sent the keeper the wrong way tucking it into the bottom left corner! Everton take the points! Everton fought hard for the victory after going a goal down early on but Forest looked weak and they didn't offer much. Their gameplan was to try to hold that lead but Everton came back stronger and deserved the win.
PLAYER RATINGS
Middlesbrough vs Everton
14th February 2026
One week to go before Everton set off for Wembley to play Leeds United in the League Cup Final. First there was work to do against a struggling Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Branthwaite and Matsima were selected for the trip with Onana, Rodriguez and Gonzalez all getting a start. Arda Guler also started on the right side with Okoronkwo on the bench. Middlesbrough put pressure on Everton with an early corner and when the ball was picked up by Edozie who ran forward into the box, with space he was allowed to shoot across Pickford and find the bottom left corner, Boro with the lead after 2 minutes. Samardzic played a ball over the top for Beto to latch on to, he stayed onside but Woodman pulled off a great fingertip save to deny him. Samardzic's playmaking efforts were sublime throughout the first half, Beto had a couple of chances saved and the one for Guler on 39 minutes, he only had the keeper to beat and he sprayed it wide from the right side. Onana played it wide to Valle, he sent the ball into the box from deep and Woodman came rushing out, Beto beat him to it with the header but it went over the bar, encouraging from Everton but goals are needed. Everton made two changes with 25 minutes to go, both full backs Valle and Patterson went off for Mykolenko and Maffeo. The remaining subs followed with 12 minutes to go, Garner replaced Samardzic, Moleiro was on for Gonzalez and Konate returned from injury to come on for Beto. Middlesbrough defended deep and limited Everton's attack, Jones had a chance for Middlesbrough to make it 2-0 but Pickford got down to save at the post. The whistle went to the delight of the Boro fans as they took a massive step in their fight for survival. Everton, went behind early once again but this time couldn't find a way back into the game and looked short on ideas. This isn't the ideal prep for a cup final and Leeds will be rubbing their hands together after a 2-0 victory over league leaders Chelsea.
DF: We started the game poor and ended up a goal down, it made our job harder, we did create chances but were not ruthless enough to put them away. We found it tough and struggled making things happen, players losing the ball too easily and not working hard enough to really put the pressure on. We found ourselves exposed in the wide areas too many times and Middlesbrough could have really took advantage of that. Our league form has to improve, no question about it, we have had a good first half to the season but this is not the standard I have implemented here.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON HAVE NOT PLAYED WELL FOR A WHILE
The Talksport phone-in was heaving with calls ahead of the League Cup Final and one Everton fan had this to say. "I'm worried about being on the end of a thrashing next week. We have been terrible in recent weeks and we aren't playing with that attacking intent we have been so used to seeing. I feel like I've gone back in time when we were managed by Lampard or Dyche, it just looks awful at the moment. Jordan Pickford is probably the only player having a go, if it wasn't for his saves we'd be losing a lot more that what we are. Beto can't stay onside, Rodriguez looks like he wants to go to Saudi, Gonzalez isn't playing like he was when he first signed, it's just terrible to watch. We've got our biggest game in years next week and I genuinely think we are going to get a hiding. They've just beat Chelsea and have been playing great stuff under Ange, I honestly think they'll win next week."
LEAGUE TABLE
8th February 2026
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Everton needed to get back to winning ways and Ferguson hammered home the importance to be better in his pre-match press conference. Aston Villa were pulling away and held a nine point lead on The Toffees. Karim Konate missed out due to picking up an injury the day before the game so Beto was in the side to try to get back to scoring ways and to put things right after a terrible derby performance. Alex Valle started at Left Back and James Rodriguez started behind Beto. Branthwaitye intercepted the ball before Kudus could get there and played it forward to Samardzic who ran forward, he had options either side and played in Rodriguez but Zouma used his strength to force his shot wide. Bowen camer forward and played it to Paqueta and he put it across the box for Kudus to knock in to give the visitors the lead on 25 minutes. Roony went down injured after a challenge with Zouma and came off on 33 minutes being replaced by Gonzalez. Ferguson urged Everton forward and it was working but Zouma was having a good game for The Hammers. Onana couldn't keep up with Kudus on the right and he was allowed too much space to get the ball to Pacqueta who played in Ward-Prowse at the far post to knock in to make it two. Everton struggling. You have to give it to West Ham, they are solid at the back. Beto came down the left and managed to get the ball into the box for Gonzalez but he headed over the bar. Moyes brought on Johnson for Kudus in an attempt to protect the lead in the last five minutes. Ferguson could not wait to get down the tunnel and was already heading there before the whistle. Everton are not in a good place right now and what ever they are trying to do is not working. Players look tired and in poor form, the football just isn't working and it seems that changes are needed.
PLAYER RATINGS
DF: I am not happy, I can't sit back and watch the season fall apart. I will make the right changes and if players aren't up to the task, I'll find out and take them out of the team. I need something fresh and a bit different, what I have tried to do hasn't worked recently.
Everton vs Nottingham Forest
11th February 2026
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If there ever was a time Everton needed a win to even try to keep within earshot of a European place, it was now. Steve Cooper's Forest were not in great form themselves and came up on the back of two defeats to Tottenham and Man Utd. Ferguson said there will be changes and he certainly did that, Godfrey and Zubelida both came in at the back and a midfield pairing of Garner and Samardzic. Roony was injured again and was ruled out for a few weeks with a groin strain so Muhammed Cham started on the right with Alberto Moleiro on the left. Konate was also recovering from injury so it was a chance for Beto to try to capture his goalscoring form. Nine league goals for Beto so far this season and at this point last season he had scored seventeen! The match started and Zubeldia gave away a cheap free-kick which Talisca fancied his chance from, his effort was deflected behind by Patterson in an early chance for Forest. Hudson-Odoi played the corner into the box AND Sangare got in front of Valle and made it 1-0. Bad start for Everton. Everton came forward and Forest sat back defending to keep Everton out, can they hold this lead or hit Everton on the break? Cham went down injured after a challenge with Williams and he came off on 27 minutes being replaced by Francis Okoronkwo. Okoronkwo hit an optimistic ball forward which was retrieved by Valle on the left, he chipped it to Samardzic on the edge of the box who had time to watch it come down and strike it with his right foot but the keeper pushed it away. Everton fighting for the equaliser but at the break it was Forest who led. Pickford played the ball downfield on 48 minutes and it bounced clear for Samardzic to take it down and with a touch taking it away from Sangare he was through on goal, he got to the edge of the box and rolled it into the bottom right corner beat the outstretched Vlachodimos levelling the score! Everton made two changes with 30 minutes to go, Onana came on for Samardzic and Gonzalez came on for Moleiro. Forest made changes and Cooper wanted to win this game, Elanga was capable of causing problems down the left side and when the ball came in for Awoniyi, he only had to find the net but Pickford done everything right in rushging out and closing him down, great stop. Okoronkwo came down the right and played it towards the box for Patterson to chase on to but he was brought down by Danilo, surely a penalty? Given! Danilo can have no complaints over that, it was blatant. Gonzalez stepped up for Everton, could this help him into better form? Blasted into the top right corner, what a strike! Everton come from behind! Everton just had to see it through, Mykolenko came on for the last ten minutes replacing Valle. With four added minutes, Okoronkwo took the ball inside the box from Garner and tried to hold it up but Murillo took his leg and the referee gave Everton another penalty! Arda Guler asked Nico Gonzalez if he could have this one and he obliged, Guler placed it down and sent the keeper the wrong way tucking it into the bottom left corner! Everton take the points! Everton fought hard for the victory after going a goal down early on but Forest looked weak and they didn't offer much. Their gameplan was to try to hold that lead but Everton came back stronger and deserved the win.
PLAYER RATINGS
Middlesbrough vs Everton
14th February 2026
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One week to go before Everton set off for Wembley to play Leeds United in the League Cup Final. First there was work to do against a struggling Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Branthwaite and Matsima were selected for the trip with Onana, Rodriguez and Gonzalez all getting a start. Arda Guler also started on the right side with Okoronkwo on the bench. Middlesbrough put pressure on Everton with an early corner and when the ball was picked up by Edozie who ran forward into the box, with space he was allowed to shoot across Pickford and find the bottom left corner, Boro with the lead after 2 minutes. Samardzic played a ball over the top for Beto to latch on to, he stayed onside but Woodman pulled off a great fingertip save to deny him. Samardzic's playmaking efforts were sublime throughout the first half, Beto had a couple of chances saved and the one for Guler on 39 minutes, he only had the keeper to beat and he sprayed it wide from the right side. Onana played it wide to Valle, he sent the ball into the box from deep and Woodman came rushing out, Beto beat him to it with the header but it went over the bar, encouraging from Everton but goals are needed. Everton made two changes with 25 minutes to go, both full backs Valle and Patterson went off for Mykolenko and Maffeo. The remaining subs followed with 12 minutes to go, Garner replaced Samardzic, Moleiro was on for Gonzalez and Konate returned from injury to come on for Beto. Middlesbrough defended deep and limited Everton's attack, Jones had a chance for Middlesbrough to make it 2-0 but Pickford got down to save at the post. The whistle went to the delight of the Boro fans as they took a massive step in their fight for survival. Everton, went behind early once again but this time couldn't find a way back into the game and looked short on ideas. This isn't the ideal prep for a cup final and Leeds will be rubbing their hands together after a 2-0 victory over league leaders Chelsea.
DF: We started the game poor and ended up a goal down, it made our job harder, we did create chances but were not ruthless enough to put them away. We found it tough and struggled making things happen, players losing the ball too easily and not working hard enough to really put the pressure on. We found ourselves exposed in the wide areas too many times and Middlesbrough could have really took advantage of that. Our league form has to improve, no question about it, we have had a good first half to the season but this is not the standard I have implemented here.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON HAVE NOT PLAYED WELL FOR A WHILE
The Talksport phone-in was heaving with calls ahead of the League Cup Final and one Everton fan had this to say. "I'm worried about being on the end of a thrashing next week. We have been terrible in recent weeks and we aren't playing with that attacking intent we have been so used to seeing. I feel like I've gone back in time when we were managed by Lampard or Dyche, it just looks awful at the moment. Jordan Pickford is probably the only player having a go, if it wasn't for his saves we'd be losing a lot more that what we are. Beto can't stay onside, Rodriguez looks like he wants to go to Saudi, Gonzalez isn't playing like he was when he first signed, it's just terrible to watch. We've got our biggest game in years next week and I genuinely think we are going to get a hiding. They've just beat Chelsea and have been playing great stuff under Ange, I honestly think they'll win next week."
LEAGUE TABLE
Moyes masterclass.
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Cut adrift from fifth.
Need the League Cup to get Europe.
Interesting times. UTFT!
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
LEAGUE CUP FINAL BUILD UP
EVERTON
Manager: Duncan Ferguson
Form Guide:
DLLWL
ROAD TO THE FINAL
LEEDS UNITED
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Form Guide:
WLLWL
ROAD TO THE FINAL:
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
witchdoc187
Player Valuation: £60m
Can't believe I've accidently come into the thread and gagging to know the final score
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
TEAM LINE-UPS
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
EVERTON VS LEEDS UNITED
LEAGUE CUP FINAL
The atmosphere was incredible with two of England's sleeping giants coming together at Wembley and both teams have not been at their best in recent weeks. Everton have been left frustrated and concentration has slipped to allow the opposition to take advantage of a side that seems to be struggling for confidence at the moment. The side are not hitting teams on the counter attack as teams set up to defend and frustrate with the hope of stealing a goal or capitalising on an error. Today is the day that is musty change, a first final since 2009 and a first League Cup Final since 1984. The one domestic trophy Everton have not won and this is their chance to finally lift it and put an end to 31 years without a trophy.
Duncan Ferguson led out his side wearing an immaculate suit and the players led by club captain and heroic Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Pickford had been there throughout the hard times and what a time to lift his first trophy for the club he has played for since 2017. The 31 year old had kept Everton in the league with some incredible defining moments and was now looking up with a chance to make himself a hero on cup final day.
It was time for all players to step up and make a name for themselves.....
LEAGUE CUP FINAL
The atmosphere was incredible with two of England's sleeping giants coming together at Wembley and both teams have not been at their best in recent weeks. Everton have been left frustrated and concentration has slipped to allow the opposition to take advantage of a side that seems to be struggling for confidence at the moment. The side are not hitting teams on the counter attack as teams set up to defend and frustrate with the hope of stealing a goal or capitalising on an error. Today is the day that is musty change, a first final since 2009 and a first League Cup Final since 1984. The one domestic trophy Everton have not won and this is their chance to finally lift it and put an end to 31 years without a trophy.
Duncan Ferguson led out his side wearing an immaculate suit and the players led by club captain and heroic Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Pickford had been there throughout the hard times and what a time to lift his first trophy for the club he has played for since 2017. The 31 year old had kept Everton in the league with some incredible defining moments and was now looking up with a chance to make himself a hero on cup final day.
It was time for all players to step up and make a name for themselves.....
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
15 minutes into the match and Leeds, wearing all white had been on top. Jack Harrison was getting forward down the right but Mykolenko and Branthwaite done enough to stop him from getting the ball into the box on a couple of occasions. Everton are yet to get into this game and get on the ball. Leeds United, making the most noise around Wembley.