Evertonians should beware...published at 15:55 BST
15:55 BST
Pat Nevin Former Everton winger
Image source, Getty Images
The bitter Merseyside v Manchester rivalry never really goes away, even if City and United are grabbing the headlines right now.
I was at Hill Dickinson Stadium to see Everton lose their unbeaten record at the weekend.
Beforehand, an understandably biased Toffees fan asked me if I thought they could win and even manage a top-six finish this season. I picked my jaw up from the floor and answered: "It has been a good start, but avoiding relegation should still be the real focus."
I love both my old clubs, but using head and no heart, Chelsea are miles ahead.
The frontline of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer is worth north of £350m. By comparison, Everton's strike force consists of Thierno Barry, valued at just 10% of that figure.
Evertonians should beware: due to underinvestment, dark clouds are gathering.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
Was a booking for Armstrong harsh?published at 12:10 BST
12:10 BST
Media caption,
The team on BBC Radio Merseyside's Toffees Unwrapped have been discussing Harrison Armstrong's challenge on Morgan Rogers in Everton's defeat by Chelsea.
Was Armstrong in the wrong? Was a yellow card for the midfielder harsh?
Take in a clip of Giulia Bould and Phil Munns discussing the moment above.
🎧 Toffees Unwrapped - Everton's unbeaten start endedpublished at 15:29 BST 19 October
15:29 BST 19 October
Another edition of BBC Radio Merseyside's Toffees Unwrapped is available now on BBC Sounds, as journalists covering Everton dissect the talking points.
David Moyes' side were beaten for the first time this season, by Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
Giulia Bould, Phil Munns and Mike Hughes discuss potential mistakes made by Moyes as well as players on the pitch and also look at some of the controversial yellow cards in the game.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Everton 0-2 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:43 BST 19 October
09:43 BST 19 October
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Everton fans
Robert: Another disappointing performance. It's clear we need a top forward and have done for some time, but whoever is in charge never seems to rectify this glaring issues.
Paul: When top teams play well, like Chelsea did in the second half, we are going to struggle. That's just where we are. But if we took our chances in the first half, then it's a different game. We desperately need to try something different upfront. Charly Alcaraz, Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George or the young lad Braiden Graham must be worth a go. It isn't all bad, we are still in a good place, and have been picking up points, so there is plenty of optimism still.
Alex: That was not a good team performance, especially at home. Merlin Rohl and Harrison Armstrong were the standout players. Mykolenko and Tarkowski were pretty solid, too. It was on off day for both Dewsbury-Hall and Garner who made very little impression on the game. The usual issues with Thierno Barry will come back to haunt us. The fact that we still haven't sorted out the issues up front since Lukaku left is embarrassing.
Chelsea fans
George: It's this type of performance that signals the new era for Chelsea - solid, mature and resolute. Xabi Alonso has galvanised a group and created a structure for the team to express themselves as a collective. Clean sheet, chances and becoming difficult to beat. Alonso seems to have a plan which is well-thought-out, methodical, and progressive. I'm now excited and not nervous.
Tristan: Stunning. Finally getting a clean sheet and what a place to get it. That was the best game I have seen Pedro Neto play. I feel a bit anxious because we're getting injuries like Reece James and Emiliano Martinez but that win for me keeps Chelsea's title hopes alive.
Chris: Chelsea need to ditch Cole Palmer. The world thinks he is a dream, six shots on goal, and he missed every one of them. He was simply not reliable enough. Always starts the season with a whoosh and a bang, but returns to the inconsistencies that lost him his England place.
Everton 0-2 Chelsea: What Moyes saidpublished at 16:23 BST 17 October
16:23 BST 17 October
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Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to TNT Sports about his side's performance: "Not as good as we wanted. We got a little bit unlucky with the goals. One came right after half-time was a blow to us. It wasn't good defending, but it takes a couple deflections before it gets to [Pedro] Neto, and it makes it a relatively easy finish for him. I thought there were parts of the game we did OK, but mainly we didn't offer enough to create enough and didn't make enough chances."
On it being a feisty game: "I thought Harrison [Armstrong] had a great tackle on the far side. I thought it was the best part of the first half and I think people who watch football appreciate it. A big part of our game in our country - I've not seen it back - my feeling was it was not in any way a free-kick. I think it's a part of what we do. I think their player got up straight away and got on with it.
"I think the Morgan Rogers tackle with Jimmy [James Garner] could've been questioned, but we're not saying we want everything to be a free-kick or stopped. We want them to be refereed correctly, and I don't think the tackle Harrison was making was refereed correctly. I thought it was unfair."
On Emi Martinez being taken off on a stretcher: "I have to say I haven't seen it back. At the time from where I was sitting in the dugout, I thought it was two people going for the ball. I've not seen where the collision was or how the collision happened but I hope he's OK."
Did you know?
Everton failed to score in a Premier League home game for the first time since February (1-0 against Manchester United).
Everton had just six shots against Chelsea, their fewest in a Premier League game since last December against Arsenal (5).
Listen to more from Moyes on BBC Sounds and you can also listen to James Garner's reaction below or on BBC Sounds
Everton unbeaten start endspublished at 16:15 BST 17 October
16:15 BST 17 October
Emlyn Begley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The Toffees, at kick-off, were one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League, along with Manchester City and Brentford, although four of those six games were draws.
But they could not equal their longest undefeated start to a Premier League season - when they managed three wins and four draws in their opening seven games of 2006-07.
They did have chances with the game goalless, most notably Thierno Barry's close-range header which was straight at Emiliano Martinez.
Everton's only senior striker has attempted more shots than anybody else this season in the Premier League - 25 - but has only scored three times.
There were several flashpoints in the first half, with five bookings – and Everton felt Morgan Rogers should have been given a second yellow for a 50-50 with James Garner.
But once Chelsea scored, David Moyes' home side never looked like coming back, and they only had two shots in the second half.
Everton v Chelsea: How the players ratedpublished at 15:45 BST 17 October
15:45 BST 17 October
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Everton starting XI:
Jordan Pickford: The England goalkeeper may be disappointed he did not keep out Neto's opener, but he later made several important saves. 5
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Chelsea's goal came down his side and the summer signing endured a quiet afternoon at right-back. 5
James Tarkowski: A solid display from Tarkowski, who played a key role in the physical battle between the two sides. 6
Jarrad Branthwaite: The recently capped England international made a number of important blocks and tackles. 6
Vitali Mykolenko: The returning full-back produced an excellent cross to create a late first-half chance for Barry. 6
Harrison Armstrong: The academy graduate raised the volume inside the stadium with a robust challenge that appeared to earn a harsh booking in the first half. He later cleared an effort off the line. 7
James Garner: The midfielder's set-piece delivery was below his usual standard, but he contributed well defensively and helped break up play. 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: The attacking midfielder struggled to create clear openings but did provide a dangerous cross that led to a chance for Grealish. Also produced a good second half cross from a free-kick into the box. 6
Merlin Rohl: Introduced as a surprise starter, Rohl defended diligently and provided a threat going forward. He registered Everton's first shot and produced an excellent block to deny Rogers in the second half. 7
Jack Grealish: The winger made a quiet start but grew into the game and created Everton's best chance with an inswinging cross for Barry. 6
Thierno Barry: The French striker will feel he should have done better with a first-half header and later struck another effort straight at the goalkeeper during a frustrating afternoon. 5
Everton substitutes:
Christian Norgaard (on 85, Armstrong): Making his Premier League debut for Everton, the summer signing from Arsenal looked rusty and immediately gave the ball away to give a chance to Chelsea. Later booked for a needless foul on Palmer. 4
Brennan Johnson (on 85, Grealish):
Tyrique George (on 85, Maitland-Niles)
Subs not used: Travers, O'Brien, Dibling, Hackney, Alcaraz, Graham
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswichmatch", for example.
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Everton v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:21 BST 16 October
19:21 BST 16 October
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Everton host Chelsea in a meeting of fifth and sixth in the Premier League table.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting on Merseyside on Saturday.
Everton manager David Moyes was critical of his players after they let a 2-1 lead slip at Hull City on Sunday but a draw at the MKM Stadium was enough to maintain Everton's unbeaten start.
This is just the third time in the Premier League era that Everton have gone undefeated in their opening six matches. Should the Toffees avoid defeat against Chelsea on Saturday, they would match the club's longest unbeaten start from the beginning of a Premier League season.
That run of seven games was set in 2006-07 when Everton would go on to finish sixth and qualify for Europe during Moyes' first stint on Merseyside.
The Scot targeted a return to European football last season and Everton were in contention for much of the campaign before falling just short. Their chances of achieving that ambition in 2026-27 may well depend on the goals of centre-forward Thierno Barry, who has scored six times, just two short of last season's total with at least 34 games to go.
The 23-year-old is playing in only his third season in an elite European league having joined Everton after one campaign with Villarreal and after netting against both Ipswich Town and Hull, he is vying to score in three successive matches at this level for the first time.
Visitors Chelsea have an in-form forward of their own in Joao Pedro, who has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player so far.
The Brazil international scored twice as Chelsea put five past Bournemouth last weekend, taking his tally to five goals and three assists in just five matches.
Chelsea's triumph against the Cherries also underlined their current capacity to start quickly. The Blues have scored five goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League matches so far – 17 teams in the competition are yet to do so even once.
Chelsea, though, do not always travel well to the blue half of Merseyside. Their first game at Hill Dickinson Stadium last season ended in a 3-0 defeat, while they won on just one of their final eight visits to Goodison Park.
Moyes, meanwhile, has won eight of his past 13 home games as a manager in this fixture - four times with Everton and four with West Ham United.
Sutton's predictions: Everton v Chelseapublished at 19:03 BST 16 October
19:03 BST 16 October
Everton are still unbeaten and, as well as their results, they have really impressed me with the way they have played so far.
Bournemouth had a better xG than Chelsea last weekend, but lost 5-1. That game showed again how Xabi Alonso's side are going to be enjoyable to watch this season but very difficult to predict.
You just don't know what you are going to get with Chelsea at the moment but at least you know what to expect from Everton.
They are always so well organised and should probably have beaten Hull City last time out, with the number of good chances Thierno Barry had.
I can see them making things awkward for Chelsea and maintaining that unbeaten start.
Moyes on team news, George challenging Grealish and Chelseapublished at 15:00 BST 16 October
15:00 BST 16 October
George Booth BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has a "problem" which may sideline the 24-year-old for Saturday's game, but Vitaliy Mykolenko "has a chance for the game".
Midfielder Christian Norgaard, who joined the Toffees for £7m in the summer, has "got a bit to go", but Moyes suggested he "could use him at certain times if required" as he recovers from a groin injury.
Moyes confirmed that Tyrique George is "knocking on the door" for a starting spot and that Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish "is aware" of the youngster's progression. "Huge competition in that position. We think he [George] can do a job on both sides, so we have to look at that as well," added Moyes.
Although Moyes is "pleased" with Toffees forward Thierno Barry's goalscoring form, he said his side need to be "clinical when we get those opportunities."
He said he had "plenty of talks" throughout the summer regarding a possible contract extension to keep him at the club, but talks had entered a "lull" since the season had started. "As I have said many times, it is not the most important thing for me. I just want to try to keep driving Everton on and build them on to see if we can keep continuing to improve," said Moyes.
On having a smaller squad, Moyes said his side could take inspiration from Leicester City's 2015-16 title-winners: "Leicester City won the league with not too many players. We have not got too many players. I am not saying we're going to win the league, but we want to try to challenge and be around the top teams."
On Xabi Alonso's Chelsea: "Their attacking line is incredibly exciting. I also think they have got some super defenders as well, but they are playing quite an expansive game, which on its day can lead to goals and on another day it can lead to defeats."
Find more from Moyes' news conference by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here
Why Everton need George and Dibling's pace against Chelseapublished at 09:59 BST 16 October
09:59 BST 16 October
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Everton fan James Costello has told BBC Radio Merseyside why he prefers Tyrique George over Brennan Johnson and how Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has halted Charly Alcaraz's progress.
"George does have that attacking prowess. You can tell when he is on the ball that he is quality. He draws fouls and gets us in dangerous positions," said Costello.
"George has been fantastic this season and dropping him to the bench against Hull City kind of felt unfair.
"He was important for the England Under-21s in the international break. Johnson was lucky enough to get the goal, but his output does not excite me.
"Jack Grealish is quality, but him and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall don't work together well. They're similar players in a way. They bring in chances and they do dominate, but I don't think they work well as a pair.
"Chelsea's defence are playing with a back three and the weak spots could be in the wider areas, so we're going to need to the pace of George and Tyler Dibling.
"Charly Alcaraz is strange for me. He came in 18 months ago on loan and he set the world alight.
"Dewsbury-Hall has halted Alcaraz's progress because they're similar players."
Image source, Getty Images
