Everton

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss David Moyes has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Moyes confirmed that Vitaliy Mykolenko is back in training and will be available to play on Saturday. Everyone else in the squad is fine.

• He gave an assessment of Everton's business in the transfer window: "We would have liked to have done more, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. Tyrique George is settling in fine, he has had a few days of training and is an exciting young player."

• When asked where he wants to play the 20-year-old in his side: "He can play off the left and off the right. He has played as a centre-forward as well which gives me options if I need it, but predominantly I see him on the left or right. He is quite comfortable on either side."

• He says there are "no problems" with Dwight McNeil after his move to Crystal Palace broke down, adding: "He understands where it went wrong and how it broke down. It happens, players have to live with it. It's not like we didn't want it to happen. It was hard to do much more than we did."

• On the decision not to re-loan Harrison Armstrong out after recalling him from Preston: "Because of my close links and connection with Preston, I wanted him to stay there because they have a great chance at reaching the play-offs. To be a young player in those games is a big thing, but the injuries we had over January rocked us a bit."

• Moyes played four centre-backs in last weekend's match, which Moyes says he has always had in his mind given that Jarrard Branthwaite can play in the middle and at left-back. He says he would have "no shame" in trying it again.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Wayne Rooney says it was "special" to score his only Everton hat-trick in front of his children at Goodison Park in 2017.

Rooney had returned to Merseyside in July that year after leaving the club in 2004 for Manchester United.

Four months into his homecoming, and in a game against West Ham United, Rooney managed to seal his first ever Everton hat-trick with a spectacular halfway-line strike.

"It was a special moment," Rooney said on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show.

"I'd never scored a hat-trick [for Everton] and since I'd been back I'd scored a few goals but they'd all been at the Park End so, I'd already scored two goals in that game and that one was for my hat-trick at the Gwladys End.

"Joe Hart comes running out, clears it and I've seen it come to me and I knew I had to ping it first time because the defender was going to get back. Michael Oliver [the referee] did brilliantly because he gets out of the way of it, and I caught it perfectly.

"I've scored three goals from the half-way line so it wasn't that but to score a hat-trick at Goodison was special. A big part of me going back to Everton was for my kids to see me play for Everton - that was important for me being an Evertonian. So I was just really pleased they got to see that."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Briony Bragg
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Gone are the days Everton would be chasing ageing players and wasting silly money on deadline day. It is good to see investment in young and exciting prospects and the club were open and honest that business would only be done in this window if it was good value for money.

But 'nil satis nisi optimum' remains the motto, and as another transfer window departs, yet again, Everton have not signed a full-back!

It seems incredulous that Nathan Patterson was linked with a late move to Genoa with options so lacking in that department, however, David Moyes seems set on rotating Jake O'Brien into the right-back position and even one of England's most exciting prospects at centre-half, Jarrad Branthwaite, over to the left.

With four centre-halves on the pitch against Brighton last week, it is surprising we did not try to recruit some more height!

At the attacking end of the pitch, however, Everton have recruited very well in Tyrique George. A low-risk signing (loan with an option), it is an advantageous deal with Chelsea given Jack Grealish's injury and he is certainly a different profile of winger than what is currently available to the manager.

Everton can give George the minutes he craves, he can play on the wing, in attacking midfield and up front if required, and it will be an exciting link-up with his former team-mate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Indeed, it is important to have some perspective. Everton are currently in the top half of the table, with a brand-new state of the art stadium, a solid, more focused recruitment team and there is absolutely no mention of relegation whatsoever.

After the last few seasons, it is a joy to have some excitement for what the second half of the season may bring.

Everton will be open to new offers for English winger Dwight McNeil, 26, after his deadline-day move to Crystal Palace collapsed. (Football Insider), external

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Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs speaking live on BBC Radio Merseyside: "Tyrique George is talented. We probably haven't seen a huge amount of him. But when he has played, you've seen glimpses of real quality. One thing Everton are crying out for is real pace. He obviously ticks that box.

"I think we're still looking at a player that potentially is showing a huge amount of ability but hasn't' done it on a regular basis. Coming to Everton, it might be the platform for him. It's hard to nail a place down at Chelsea with the 179 players they have registered on the books."

Watch Stubbs debate transfers here

Image source, Everton FC

Tyrique George says he is targeting European football with Everton after completing a loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season, with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

The 19-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Blues this season, scoring three times.

"I'm really excited to be here and to enjoy this massive club. I just can't wait to get started," he said on the move.

"I want to be exciting and I want to impress them.

"The gaffer – David Moyes – was another reason [I wanted to join]. He's an amazing manager who has coached so many players, like Wayne Rooney, and players like that.

"Getting European football for next season is a good target for us and I know everyone will be working hard to achieve it."

Toffees boss Moyes added: "Tyrique is a versatile forward who can play all across the front line. I hope he will settle quickly into our squad, and the support from our fans will definitely help him feel at home."

Everton have done the following business on deadline day:

• Tyrique George has joined the Toffees on loan from Chelsea, with an option to buy. George told the club's media: "I just want to enjoy it, learn under him [David Moyes] and improve."

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Follow the transfer deadline day live text

Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special focusing on the business done by Merseyside's clubs, including Everton and Liverpool.

The show, which runs from 18:00-20:00 GMT, will offer the latest updates and analysis, with guests including former Blues centre-back Alan Stubbs and ex-Reds defender Gary Gillespie.

Watch it here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Crystal Palace are showing late interest in a move for Everton winger Dwight McNeil.

McNeil has found himself out of favour at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Palace are working on a deal to sign the attacker.

The 26-year-old has one assist in 14 Premier League appearances this season and Everton value him at about £20m.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: We need a good centre back to guide the backline. Sign Raheem Sterling as a free agent and buy another striker.

John: It makes more sense to go shopping in the lower leagues for potential talent. Modest transfer fees and wage demands. Any sell-on would no doubt create a profit and not a loss. It just needs scouts to recognise real promise and potential.

Rob: Dragging their heels as always, too many rumours and links to various players. Very disappointing transfer window when it's obvious for all to see, we need a proven striker and an established right-back as a minimum requirement! Just get it done already.

Gerard: In a word...PACE! We need pace in the team all over but without any doubt, up front on the wings. The way David Moyes plays at home we have to have an out-ball to someone up front with pace who can run with the ball, lift the crowd and allow others to get up field. Essential!

Mark: Nothing - wait till the summer. But Moyes needs to play Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou at full-back and give them a good run instead of centre halves or looking for new ones.

Ian: Why not get someone Like Jhon Duran, even on loan, before he goes somewhere else? Strange that we've done no business!

Ask us questions about Everton and we'll put them to our experts

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It constantly feels like one step forward then one step back at Everton, and the news that the season is over for Jack Grealish makes it feel like there is pressure on doing a deal before the window shuts.

It is already clear the Toffees' squad is small and any injury or absence impacts David Moyes' selection.

On Friday, the manager insisted the club was attempting to bolster the numbers: "We are certainly looking. It is not that we are shying away from it but it is more unlikely than likely. I think we are seeing this window become a difficult one for a lot of teams."

Everton have also had bids come in for their own players too, with Lazio looking at Tim Iroegbunam and Beto the subject of a rejected bid from Fenerbache. A big reason neither have moved so far is down to numbers.

Moyes has stressed "we are not planning for it [players leaving] but they might do", highlighting the need for replacements. Beto has scored three goals this season and lost out in the battle for the striker role to Thierno Barry - though he did come off the bench to score the 97th-minute equaliser that snatched a point at Brighton on Saturday.

Iroebugnam has only been given a starting place in midfielder if Idrissa Gueye has been unavailable.

Profit and sustainability issues are no longer a problem, with owners The Friedkin Group clearing debts to give the club a clean balance sheet. That being the case, the Blues won't be forced to sell anyone before the deadline.

I see it being summer before the next part of rebuilding is under way. If Everton can find a loan deal before 19:00 GMT on Monday then that could be the best fit - and they are close to bringing in winger Tyrique George from Chelsea with an option to buy.

A right-back has been top of the shopping list for some time, along with a left-back, but I don't think either will be fixed with a short-term solution before the winter window shuts.

Listen to Total Sport Merseyside from 18:00 on weeknights and find details here of live Everton match commentaries on BBC Radio Merseyside

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Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

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Juventus have made an enquiry about Everton's Beto, but the Toffees are reluctant to let the striker leave because he is one of only two senior forwards in the squad. (Talksport), external

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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite says it will take him "a while to get back into the rhythm" of playing after but being pack on the pitch "feels good" after returning from a long-term hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old made his return as a half-time substitute in Monday's draw against Leeds but started his first game of the season in Saturday's draw at Brighton, at left-back in pace of the injured Vitaly Mykolenko.

"It feels good," Branthwaite said post-match.

"It's been a long eight or nine months for me, frustrating as well.

"To be out for that long is a difficult road so I'm happy to get back on the pitch and play the minutes I have done.

"The body has held well and I'm looking to play many more games this season. It's going to take me a while to get back into the rhythm but I just need to stay fit and be on the pitch.

"We're all happy in there but maybe a little bit disappointing as well. We had many chances to go 1-0 up. We're happy with how we dug in until the end but looking back we know we could have got three points as well.

"We've shown up here and given them a good game."

On playing left-back, he said: "It was OK. It was a different experience. The manager asked me to play there and after being out so long I'm happy to play anywhere."

David Moyes' side sit eighth in the Premier League before Sunday's fixtures, and Branthwaite believes the Toffees can target a good finish to the season.

"You've got to have aspirations to get into Europe with the position we are in at the minute," he added.

"The lads have done unbelievably well throughout the season to get us into the position we're in but we just have to take each game as it comes and pick up as many points as we can.

"The defensive shape and record has been a big part of the team for the last three, four years. We limited Brighton to very few chances and if we want to get into Europe we need to continue that. Every game is massive and we have to defend how we did today and see where it takes us."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Sarah: I feel like crying after watching that match. It's like Groundhog Day. The first half was dull but we were the better team for the whole of the second half. Our second goal didn't look offside to me and then we concede 30 seconds after the end of stoppage time when the match should have finished! I have no idea why Fabian Hurzeler felt the need to take Pascal Gross off and substitute him for Milner in the last minute of the game - again! Gross was furious. It completely mucked up the flow of the game, and cost us the win and five places in the table.

Malcolm: Hurzeler has to go. He is so out of his depth in the Premier League. The players do not seem up for the fight and the tactics are atrocious. Bring on next season as there is nothing left this time around.

Michael: Another really poor display. Brighton haven't played a good game since they beat Leeds in November. The performances have been awful and I think the manager needs to go at the end of the season. I'm seriously considering getting rid of my season ticket based on this average team! The fans deserve better.

Andy: Lewis Dunk and Jan-Paul van Hecke immense again. Carlos Baleba back to his best and Yankuba Minteh running the Toffees' defence ragged again, just needs to find his shooting boots. Gross so influential in midfield. Karou Mitoma not back up to full speed quite yet. Ferdi Kadioglu great again. Yasin Ayari dawdling a bit and needs to sharpen up.

Everton fans

Stephen: Another good result away from home but Everton need more players to come in before the end of the January transfer window.

Brian: Could have and should have scored twice before Beto rescued us. Our owners have invested significantly in our club - great stadium, loyal fanbase - but they are not going to get the return on investment unless they buy a top-class striker. You can't fault Betto and Thierno Barry for effort but we need a real number nine.

Robbie: Why does it always have to be a game of two halves? We always seem to start off slowly and go in at half-time pleased we have not conceded. The second half always seems to be a different team. I guess the results in the past six games speak for themselves but it is not entertaining and is nerve-wracking.

Mark: Our quality is very limited. Jack Grealish is a big miss from our attack. Neither Barry nor Beto are the type of striker who will make Evertonians' blood stir. We're well organised and generally hard to beat. Even David Moyes is capable of an off day with that very strange team selection. But we are overperforming in terms of our league position and a top-half place would flatter us. A major restrengthening is needed in the summer if we are to start to challenge for a trophy. Onward and upward.

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.

How would you assess Everton's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?

Get in touch with your views here

Everton and Sunderland are showing an interest in Chelsea's 19-year-old England Under-21 forward Tyrique George. Clubs in Spain, France and Italy are also following him. (Sky Sports), external

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Pundits Shay Given and Steph Houghton join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 1-1 Everton

• Leeds 0-4 Arsenal

• Chelsea 3-2 West Ham

James Tarkowski has been speaking to Final Score after Everton's last-gasp 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Watch Final Score on BBC iPlayer here