Liverpool Echo

How the national media reacted to Everton's 4-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur

Shambles was a word that was repeated across several of the reports on Everton’s miserable defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. The Blues’ injury misfortune was acknowledged but few reporters who watched events unfold in north London took any encouragement from the away side's display.

Instead, the 4-0 defeat was the pretext for discussions about the importance of the final days of the transfer window, the threat of another relegation battle and even over Sean Dyche’s future.

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Timothy Abraham at the BBC described an apparent sense of resignation among the travelling supporters, many of whom had left by the final whistle.

He wrote: “The manner of this drubbing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will set the alarm bells ringing for Everton fans, who scurried for the Seven Sisters Road long before the full-time whistle went.

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“There is the unerring sense that the die for the Blues has already been cast and another glum season of relegation toil awaits.”

Gary Jacob, writing for The Times, set Everton’s injury misfortune against the backdrop of self-inflicted problems - most notably in this match the Jordan Pickford mistake that gave away the second goal and ended this game as a contest. He wrote: “Everton are a once great club fumbling in the dark and things might get worse rather than better while the transfer market is open.

“They have lost both opening league matches by a margin of three or more goals for the first time in the club’s history and are yet to find the net. They are also winless in 12 away league fixtures stretching back to beating Burnley in December.

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“Their season has quickly unravelled into a shambles in part of their own making, taking in the financial issues resulting from past overspending, questions over a change of ownership, a depleted and limited squad and Jordan Pickford’s howler that allowed them to fall 2-0 down inside 25 minutes.”

Matt Barlow in the Mail said Everton were left “looking rather feeble”. He wrote: “They have leaked seven goals in their first two games without finding the net, have not won away from home in 2024 and the threat of points deductions still lingers in the background.

“They were depleted and patched-up in North London and on the back foot from the outset.”

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The lack of spirit was a key theme in most reports, with Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian asking: “Where was the anger? The soul? Where was the resistance when Cristian Romero powered in a header in the second half?”

He drew on the post-match comments of Blues boss Dyche that his side was too “subservient” and wrote: “It was an abject surrender, typified by Pickford losing the ball before Son Heung-min’s first goal midway through the first half, and it is hard not to conclude Everton are destined for another grim battle for survival.

“Reinforcements are required before the transfer window shuts even though money is tight, while more adventure in possession would not go amiss.”

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Jim White in The Telegraph suggested Dyche was almost rewarded when he did try to inject some creativity - leading to Jesper Lindstrom testing Guglielmo Vicario shortly after his entrance. But his summary of the situation - that “it was as close to a one sided match as you would see in the Premier League” - led to the suggestion the return of an out-of-work David Moyes is not as distant as it seemed 10 days ago.

He concluded: “After the match, Dyche recognised the issues at hand. “In the past, we have done well when the challenges have come our way,” he said. “Anger doesn’t change anything. What changes anything is action. I’ll be taking action.”

“Frankly, he needs to. And fast. Much more of this and David Moyes’s return to the club before the first international break looks ever more plausible.”

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In the ECHO, there was no such prophecy but the point that, for all the issues that made this match such a tough prospect from the outset, the search for a solution to Everton’s problems must go deeper than putting them all down to injuries and misfortune: “This was always going to be an uphill struggle for a threadbare Everton side dealing with an injury nightmare.

“Yet at no point did Everton look capable of being able to compete in this match. And for that, this defeat cannot be written off as simply another bad day. After two games Everton lie at the foot of the Premier League table having lost two games, conceded seven goals and not only having failed to score, but having managed just two shots on target across more than 180 minutes. The squad will improve and the opponents should get easier.

“But according to Opta, Everton have lost their first two games in a top-flight season by three or more goals for the first time in their history. If the final week of the transfer window is unlikely to provide a solution then answers need to be found from elsewhere.

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“That search needs to begin with an acceptance that not all of the blame for this miserable start can be put down to injury misfortune, controversial refereeing decisions and a lack of Premier League experience.

Reaction from the Everton manager after the clash with Tottenham in the Premier League

Sean Dyche blasted his players for a “subservient” start that undid Everton’s game plan at Tottenham Hotspur. An injury crisis left the Blues facing an uphill battle in north London but they struggled to put up a fight against their hosts with a poor performance.

Yves Bissouma put his side ahead after just 14 minutes but Everton could have been behind before then, Jordan Pickford saving well from Cristian Romero, Heung-Min Son and James Maddison and Brennan Johnson flashing a free header across goal.

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Dyche was unhappy with the manner in which his players allowed Spurs to seize the initiative and suggested he had told them so following the match.

Asked what he had focused on in the dressing room after the final whistle, Dyche appeared to question his side’s approach to the match.

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He said: “What about taking responsibility at 0-0? Strangely, it is easier to take responsibility when you are one or two goals down. Every manager will call it 2-0 football and then everyone starts playing. What about playing when it is 0-0?

“So within all the challenges, which are quite obvious, we have got to remind ourselves of the truth of what we are, and what we are trying to achieve, and that part of the mentality of the group, we have shown before how positive it can be, we let it go too easily.

“And today, we know they are a good outfit who have spent money on some real talent. They are in a big stadium, their first game at home and everything, and they started like that, and we just started a little bit subserviently.

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“We had good organisation but the first goal was a sign of it, everyone just backing off and just letting players run into the box and that kind of - it is only two or three yards but it is two or three yards of intent to go and stop moments like that.”

Son doubled the lead after 25 minutes when he capitalised on a Pickford mistake. That made a tough task even more difficult, Dyche said, and after he made attacking substitutions on the hour mark it was the hosts who showed the more clinical edge.

Dyche said: “The second is impossible to legislate for and then you are 2-0 down. And when you are 2-0 down at a place like this it is tough.

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Everton are still waiting for their first point or goal of the new Premier League season after they suffered a 4-0 thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur. The north London outfit were dominant throughout and had already forced Jordan Pickford into a trio of smart saves early on before Yves Bissouma opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a shot that crashed in off the crossbar.

Pickford’s earlier heroics were undone though when he made a glaring error to gift Spurs a second goal on 25 minutes as his loose first touch from a James Tarkowski back pass enabled Heung-Min Son to rob him of possession and score. A further two goals followed after the break as Cristian Romero headed in a third on 71 minutes before Son struck again with an angled drive six minutes later to complete the rout.

Jordan Pickford 3

Guilty of an absolute howler – which he owned up to – to gift Son Spurs’ second goal caused by a loose first touch on the wet surface when receiving a back pass from James Tarkowki after earlier making a hat-trick of impressive saves to deny the home captain plus Cristian Romero and James Maddison before Yves Bissouma opened the scoring.

Roman Dixon 6

Repaid Sean Dyche’s faith in him in what was a baptism of fire on his Premier League debut but while his team were pinned back, he showed decent flashes, pushing forward with intent and putting a strong slide tackle in on Wilson Odobert and was unfortunate in rushing to try and get the ball off Micky van de Ven in the build-up to the fourth, he left Son unmarked.

Vitalii Mykolenko 5

Saved Everton further punishment when he made a crucial challenge on Brennan Johnson early in the second half but a drop of the shoulder from the same Spurs player took him out of the game in the build-up to the opener and he was mostly on the back foot.

James Tarkowski 4

Not his usual dominant self, he was beaten in the air by Romero for the third goal, it was also the captain’s back p]ass that played Pickford into trouble for Spurs’ second, but you can’t say there was too much wrong with his delivery with what is a well-rehearsed routine.

Michael Keane 4

Romero got between him and Tarkowksi to head in Spurs’ third and a combination of balls over the top as well as slick passing cut through his attempts to adopt a physical approach.

Idrissa Gueye 4

Tried to kick Spurs’ dangermen when he could but the problem was he couldn’t always get close enough and while he attempted to make a challenge on Johnson in the build-up to the opener, he failed to make contact and was unable to provide his usual shield for the defence.

Tim Iroegbunam 6

Tried to be positive when he was given the chance but Everton’s brightest spark against Brighton & Hove Albion was much quieter here with few opportunities to push forwards or play a progressive pass.

Abdoulaye Doucoure 5

Hooked relatively early for the second straight week, he had a close range effort blocked by Maddison in first half stoppage time but while nominally still occupying that link role between midfield and attack but in reality he was pegged back with the rest of his colleagues, struggling to have any real attacking impact.

Jack Harrison 5

Made way for Jesper Lindstrom, who managed something in seconds he’d failed to do in almost an hour by having a shot on target, the on-loan Leeds United man spurned a decent opportunity at the back post shortly after Spurs went ahead as he scuffed a shot wide and didn’t get much change out of the home defence.

Dwight McNeil 5

Gave the ball away on the edge of Spurs’ area in the build-up to the devastating counter-attack for the fourth goal, he earlier delivered the inswinging cross from the right that Harrison should have done better with but while he worked hard, often cutting inside again, he needed to be more artisan than artist.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5

A miserable outing, let’s hope it’s not his last for Everton in the Premier League such is his importance to how they play, he ploughed the lone furrow and looked particularly isolated so far from his team-mates with an almost non-existent service and hardly a sniff of a chance.

Jesper Lindstrom (on 57 for Harrison) 7

Brought a smart stop out of Guglielmo Vicario just seconds after coming on but the early promise was soon snuffed out.

Iliman Ndiaye (on 57 for Doucoure) 6

Like Lindstrom, he brought an injection of pace and fresh ideas into the side – for a few minutes at least anyway – with his dribbling and twinkling toes.

Beto (on 72 for Calvert-Lewin) 5

Brought off the bench to offer an alternative threat up front after there had been no way through for Calvert-Lewin but also had to feed off scraps.

Harrison Armstrong (90 for Gueye)

Stoppage time senior debut for the 17-year-old Scouse midfielder who produced a spirited cameo.

Jordan Pickford holds his hand up in apology

It's a howler from Pickford. Tarkowski passes the ball back to him and he has plenty of time to deal with it. But instead, as he looks to shift the ball from his right to his left foot, he loses control of it and Son sneaks in and takes the ball off him. Pickford lunges and gets player rather than ball, but Son is able to steady himself and tap in.

Strong challenge from DIxon

Everton have found themselves very much on the back foot here but debutant Roman Dixon hasn't been the weak link.

He hasn't looked out of place so far and after winning a strong slide tackle on Odobert, he sticks to him closely again to deflect a cross wide.

Harrison off target

Soon after going behind, Everton win a corner and although the initial effort is cleared by Spurs, the ball finds itself back with McNeil on the right wing after he cuts back from taking the set-piece.

He delivers a left-footed inswinging cross to Harrison at the back post but his fellow wide man fails to hit his effort on target and probably should have done better.

The Blues have shown some promise on the counter-attack but they've been on the back foot too often already.

Pickford saves again

That's three saves of note already from Pickford. Everton need to give their goalkeeper more protection.

A ball over the top catches the visitors' defence out and England's number one blocks an effort from James Maddison.

Then just a few moments later, Brennan Johnson flashes a header wide at the back post.

Dixon pushes forward

There was saw what debutant Roman DIxon can offer going forward.

Everton launched a counter attack, McNeil drove the ball upfield and picked out Harrison on the right.

Youngster DIxon overlapped and challenged for the ball with Odobert and although it went out for a throw in off the Blues player, it should he offers a different dynamic when the visitors are able to push forwards.

Pickford again

Tottenham have started strongly and have been piling on the pressure in the opening exchanges.

Home captain Son lets flies from outside the area and his effort takes a big deflection off Dwight McNeil and Pickford is called into action again to tip the shot around the post.

Everton need to get themselves up the field here to stop the constant waves of attacks.

I'll get my coat

We're getting footage from the tunnel here just before the players come out onto the pitch and Everton captain James Tarkowski just made a nice gesture by removing his stadium jacket and handing it to the young Blues mascot to wear instead in the wet weather.

Hopefully such inspired leadership can bring a better result today for Sean Dyche's men.

Richarlison's little wave

Building up to the start now and the heavens have opened. The players have gone inside and the Premier League background is being built on the pitch. Richarlison gave a little wave to the away end before he left the pitch. HOW is he not getting more action here? Hopefully he stays quiet today. We know where his allegiances lie

Bank Holiday weather

As I mentioned earlier, many of us got wet walking up to the ground due to the overground line closures resulting in a mile-and-a-half stroll in the rain from Seven Sisters well in typical Bank Holiday weather fashion, the heavens have opened again.

So much so, despite this being a billion-pound stadium, the rain is sweeping into the stand and the 'Tottenham DJ' in front of us treating the crowd to some pre-match tunes, has had to cover his decks with an umbrella. Hopefully Creamfields is experiencing some better weather closer to home.

New look Blues

Everton wore their away kit here last season and they debut their new away kit here today.

The dark grey and yellow number has proven popular with Evertonians it seems but personally I'm not a fan of changing when there is no colour clash, I'd rather the Blues remain just that as often as possible but such is the modern world of Premier League football.

Whatever they look like, Sean Dyche's side are going to have to show a big improvement here than what they produced against Brighton & Hove Albion a week ago, to emerge with something from this contest.

Mystic Me?

Roman Dixon... if you think we have written a lot about him already then be prepared for more. He is the story of the day now from an Everton perspective and we will all be wishing him the best.

I wrote this about him during pre-season - picked him out as one to watch but certainly wasn't expecting progress like this.

Read that piece HERE

Leading the line

Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted the winner here for Everton on the only occasion that they have triumphed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but nobody was here to see it.

It was the opening game of the 2020/21 season, played mostly behind closed doors because of the global coronavirus pandemic and despite the absence of spectators, the striker went on to enjoy his best-ever campagin for goals, netting 21 times in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti and earning a call-up to the England team.

Last season, he was desperately unlucky to have a goal disallowed following a VAR check which deemed Andre Gomes to have fouled Emerson Royal in the build-up.

With the summer transfer deadline coming this Friday, many Blues will be hoping that this isn't the Sheffield-born player's final Premier League outing for the club.

Mr Durability

After a fitness scare, with James Tarkowski not training for most of this week, it's a big plus to see the centre-back able to keep his place in the side today and maintain his ever-present record in Premier League matches since signing for Everton in 2022.

The Mancunian, who continues to captain the side in Seamus Coleman's absence, has now started 77 consecutive matches for the Blues in the competition and provides some invaluable experience in a defence featuring aforementioned debutant Roman Dixon for the first time.

A big call - and one that will come with implications

So there we have it. After a week of tussling over who should start at right back or whether Dyche should change shape to deal with the absence of Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, James Garner and Ashley Young, Dyche goes for youth. It's an interesting call, one that perhaps goes against what he had suggested his move would ultimately be. A big opportunity, no doubt, for Dixon.

It will have a knock on effect, this. Firstly, this can only be seen as a snub for Mason Holgate. While he is not a right back, he is a senior defender who has previously been used in that position by Dyche. He had an uncertain future - that looks even more precarious now, though may well be more dependent on whether there is interest in him rather than whether he would be allowed to go.

The other issue is whether Dyche is laying the foundation for a problem for himself. Lack of Premier League experience has been his reason for not starting Jake O'Brien, Jesper Lindstrom or Iliman Ndiaye yet - all players with senior experience elsewhere. If he is willing to play Dixon, a teenager with no senior experience, then if Everton struggle going forward the question may well end up being why him, and not them.

Roman rule

Well there you have it, a Premier League debut at right-back for Roman Dixon, despite Everton manager Sean Dyche playing down the youngster's chances.

There has also been something of a debate going on at the ECHO over whether the teenager is ready... I guess we'll get an answer either way in a couple of hours' time.

After watching him for the Under-21s in the 3-1 win over their Blackburn Rovers counterparts eight days ago, my colleague Joe Thomas wasn't so sure.

However, columnist Michael Ball insisted that blooding Dixon here was a no-lose scenario.

One thing I noticed myself seeing him up close again at Tranmere Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday where Everton secured a dramatic late comeback victory, again 3-1, was that as well as having plenty of pace going forwward, Dixon also possesses a decent long throw-in.

Good afternoon

Hello everyone and welcome from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Like many of the travelling Evertonians, Joe and I arrived rather wet at the ground (I'm told the sun is still shining back in Merseyside) after having to walk the final mile-and-a-half in the rain from Seven Sisters station due to the overground network being closed.

Let's hope that's fixed for post-match and that the Blues can give their supporters a spring in their step but with all those absences, they might have to really dig in to try and get a result.

The Everton manager has named his team for the clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday

Roman Dixon will make his Everton debut against Tottenham Hotspur as Sean Dyche turns to the 19-year-old amid a defensive crisis. The right back has enjoyed a solid start to the season in the Under-21s, scoring and creating a goal in the opening Premier League Two game of the season against Blackburn Rovers and then featuring in the midweek win over Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy.

With senior options including Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and James Garner injured, and with Ashley Young suspended after his red card while playing right back against Brighton and Hove Albion last week, solving the issue on the right side of his defence was the biggest issue facing him this weekend. After suggesting the academy may not be his preferred route to a solution the Blues boss has indeed turned to the England youth prospect. With Mason Holgate on the bench having previously played right back under Dyche, the move creates additional uncertainty over his future at the club.

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The decision may have been made easier by James Tarkowski, who missed training for the first part of this week, being deemed fit to start, meaning Dixon will be anchored by experience beside him. Tarkowski starts in a back four alongside Michael Keane and with Vitalii Mykolenko on the left.

Ahead of them, Dyche has stuck with his trusted wide men Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison, who will flank Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tim Iroegbunam - who keeps his place after a positive debut last week. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the front line. Jesper Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye are among those on the bench, with Dixon the only change from seven days ago.

Joe Thomas - Ndiaye in amid defensive crisis

For a squad that isn’t the biggest it feels like there are quite a few decisions to make today. The issues start at the back and in particular on the right of defence, with Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, James Garner and Ashley Young all options expected to be unavailable. Sean Dyche has played Mason Holgate at right back, though it ended badly on one of the most recent of those occasions in spring 2023 when he was sent off at Crystal Palace having been given a torrid time by Jordan Ayew.

Holgate would be the most likely option at Spurs but the potential absence of James Tarkowski adds an additional dimension to this situation. If Tarkowski is fit then I would start him alongside Michael Keane and have Holgate at right back. I am going to proceed with what I would do if Tarkowski is not fit, because I am glutton for punishment. In this case I would play three centre backs. With Jarrad Branthwaite injured they would be Holgate, Keane and Jake O’Brien. I am not completely against Vitalii Mykolenko tucking in as a centre back but given it is Holgate’s best position and O’Brien would be making his Premier League debut in this scenario, and that I would be playing Jack Harrison out of position at right wing back, I would want to avoid another square peg in a round hole.

There will be supporters asking why not Roman Dixon at right wing back in this scenario? I understand the question. He is talented and having him at wing back would suit his attacking style and provide protection behind him. But we must not forget he is a 19-year-old with no senior experience and a patched up side around him who we would, in this case, be asking to play against one of the best attacking left forwards in world football in Heung-Min Son. Harrison would also find this difficult and he is a player with years of experience.

There is no good solution here. But this is partly about protecting Dixon in order to give him a chance to succeed. He should travel with the squad having not been involved with the U21s at Chelsea last night. He will probably be on the bench. Everton need a long term solution on the right of defence and if Dixon is to be fast tracked then I would prefer to start or bring him on against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and go from there.

In the middle I would play Idrissa Gueye, Tim Iroegbunam and Abdoulaye Doucoure as a protective shield to the defence. I would give Iroebugnam, not Doucoure, the licence to push forward when possible - he looked good carrying the ball against Brighton and Hove Albion and was a bright spark amid the opening day gloom. This is all building up to me starting Iliman Ndiaye with Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A clever player, an attacking threat, someone to give Spurs something to think about and to stop Calvert-Lewin from becoming isolated. I think he should have started last week (and wrote that here) and I think he should start today.

My team (5-3-2): Pickford; Mykolenko, O’Brien, Keane, Holgate, Harrison; Gueye, Doucoure, Iroebugnam; Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin

Chris Beesley - One change from Brighton

Everton manager Sean Dyche has warned that he might have just 14 senior players to pick from for today’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur but all eyes are on who he selects to replace the suspended Ashley Young at right-back. Putting the oldest outfield player in Everton history up against Son Heung-Min might have been as successful as making the 39-year-old go toe-to-toe with Kaoru Mitoma the previous weekend anyway but with club captain Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and James Garner all unlikely to be fit to fill the void according to the Blues boss, it seems he has something of a dilemma.

Unless Dyche decides to give youth a chance and hand a baptism of fire to teenage prospect Roman Dixon in the role – as this correspondent has already pointed out, given the stock the Everton manager seems to hold in selecting players with experience, it seems more likely he’d pick Lee Dixon at right-back – then the most obvious option is starting where the Blues finished off against Brighton & Hove Albion and selected Mason Holgate. The Yorkshireman, who saw red himself on a previous trip to London under Dyche when he was sent off in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on April 22 last year as the side slipped back into the relegation zone, may have been surplus to requirements at Goodison Park for over a year now but here is an opportunity to put himself in the shop window ahead of transfer deadline day and prove the doubters wrong with a strong display.

They were had off by a cheeky Jamie Vardy gesture this week, but a new stadium has been a game-changer for Tottenham Hotspur and in their final visit to that venue before they move to their own future home, Everton must hope their switch can have a similar impact.

After being barracked by the travelling Spurs supporters in Monday night’s game at the King Power Stadium, veteran Leicester City striker Vardy, whose earlier equaliser earned his side a 1-1 draw, pointed to the Premier League logo on his shirt sleeve while being substituted and made a ‘1-0’ sign in reference to the number of times he had won the competition with the Foxes compared to the north London side.

Like Evertonians who know their history, some Tottenham fans indignantly pointed out that their club are in fact 2-1 up on Leicester when it comes to League Championship triumphs. However, while they were the first club in the 20th century to do ‘The Double’ and also the first English team to lift a European trophy, Spurs better hope luminaries such as Wolverhampton Wanderers (three titles, the last in 1959); Huddersfield Town (three titles, the last in 1926); Sheffield Wednesday (four titles, the last in 1930); or Sunderland (six titles, the last in 1936) don’t start to pull rank in this respect.

Like the way Newcastle United were viewed in their swashbuckling but empty-handed days under Kevin Keegan in the 1990s, which many Blues found particularly irksome, Spurs have long enjoyed a reputation that seems rather more inflated than their on-the-pitch accomplishments have tangibly merited.

Much of the phenomenon seems to have stemmed from them being based in the capital and therefore being a darling with the national-based media which in turn has also helped foster something of a special relationship with the England team (they’ve provided 79 players for the Three Lions over the years, more than any other club).

Indeed, when Everton thrashed Tottenham 4-1 in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final at Elland Road, Blues boss Joe Royle told the assembled press pack: “Sorry about your dream final (against Manchester United), lads, but b*****s to it. And that’s with a double ‘l’!” While it’s one of the great intangibles in the game, ‘size’ still matters in football – just look at the reaction to Richard Masters’ remark about Everton and Nottingham Forest back in January.

If you’d have asked this correspondent a few years ago, who was the bigger club, Everton or Tottenham Hotspur, I’d have answered quickly and emphatically in favour of the former with no sense of doubt or concerns that my judgement was being clouded.

As someone old enough to remember when only neighbours Liverpool had won more League Championships than the Blues, I’ve lived through seeing Arsenal, Manchester United and now even nouveau riche Manchester City all eclipse them on that front (unless those 115 charges come back to haunt Sheikh Mansour with the likes of Brendan Rodgers and company potentially being retrospectively handed some medals).

Although Everton are still well ahead of Spurs on title front (9-2 for those who don’t know), that doesn’t win you matches in 2024 as we saw so emphatically last weekend when Brighton & Hove Albion, a club who have never won a single major honour in their 123-year history, romped to a 3-0 win to spoil the party in the opening fixture of Goodison Park’s final season. In pretty much every other parameter that defines club size, the Blues now find themselves lagging far behind the lilywhites.

When the Premier League was formed back in 1992, both Everton and Spurs were considered to be part of the ‘Big Five,’ but that group has now evolved to the so-called ‘Sky Six’ with the Blues dropping out and the aforementioned Manchester City and Chelsea having been added.

Whatever you think of the phrase, it’s an economic reality, even with Newcastle United now being backed by the sovereign wealth fund of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As Vardy alluded to, Spurs are the only one of that half dozen not to have been Premier League champions, but their financial status has been elevated by the construction of their billion-pound arena. One crown that they surely do possess is the title of having the best sports stadium this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Today, Everton make what will be their final Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (incredibly, for all Daniel Levy’s fabled business acumen, over five years on from opening it still doesn’t have a sponsors’ name) before they make their own switch to Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Blues’ future home won’t be quite as fancy as Spurs’ and architect Dan Meis declared: “It is a simple building, it’s very functional, a Ferrari not a Bentley,” but that silver curved barrel roof still looks good when it shimmers on the days that the sun shines by the banks of the Mersey and with its riverfront location it is in a far more iconic setting as part of Liverpool’s world famous panoramic maritime cityscape.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Goodison is now in the Premier League’s bottom three venues when it comes to generating matchday revenue but when the Blues relocate to Vauxhall, they’ll not only have the opportunity to play in front of the biggest regular crowds in their entire history, but the number of premium seats will increase from around 1,300, approximately 3% of the overall capacity, to 5,500, over 10% of a ground which in turn is a third bigger to start with at a venue which can potentially be used every day of the year for other money-making ventures. S

Former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has spoken out following his sacking by the BBC

Former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Jenas has been dropped by the BBC amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The 41-year-old, known for his roles on The One Show and as a pundit on Match of the Day, was released from his duties with the broadcaster earlier this week.

A complaint about text messages sent to a female colleague last month led to an internal investigation, as reported by the Mirror. On Thursday at 3.39pm, Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski emailed staff stating: "I wanted to let you know that Jermaine Jenas is no longer working for the BBC."

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A BBC spokesperson confirmed: "We can confirm that he is no longer part of our presenting lineup."

Jenas, through his representative, said: "Right now I can't talk about it. I can tell you I'm not happy - there are two sides to every story - and I'm going to be speaking with my lawyers on the issue", reports Football London.

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The Mirror has revealed that the reason behind Jenas' departure is related to claims of inappropriate conduct with a female BBC employee. According to BBC News, the allegations concern digital communications, including text messages.

Besides his recent TV work, Jenas was also the face of MOTDx, a show aimed at younger audiences which has since been cancelled. Before transitioning into broadcasting, he enjoyed a successful football career with Tottenham, QPR, Newcastle, and represented England 21 times.

Nonetheless, as the saga of his BBC departure unfolds, Jenas has already embarked on a new venture and joined talkSPORT as its lead presenter, collaborating with another ex-Premier League footballer, Jermaine Pennant, to co-host their drive-time programme.

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Despite this bump in his career roadmap, Jenas had harboured hopes of taking over as host on 'Match of the Day', candidly admitting in 2021: "Match Of The Day is the biggest job on television, and if I ever got the opportunity of course I'd say yes."

Jenas also speculated on the future, saying: "When Gary decides to call it a day, I'm sure the BBC will have a look around and decide who's the best fit for the job."

James Tarkowski has been an ever-present for Everton but is now in a battle against time to feature against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday

James Tarkowski is a doubt for Everton’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur due to concerns over a hamstring issue. The centre-back has not trained this week and is set to be assessed on Friday during the final preparations for Saturday’s match.

It is the second injury of the summer for Tarkowski, who left Everton’s fitness camp in Ireland early due to a glute complaint that cost him part of the pre-season.

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The defender, captain in the absence of Seamus Coleman, has been an ever-present since signing for the club two years ago and featured in every Premier League game last season.

Speaking at Finch Farm, Sean Dyche described Tarkowski's issue as "a minor hamstring niggle that we have to be careful with".

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The Blues boss said the player had been positive about his situation on Thursday and will be assessed on Friday to see whether he can feature against Spurs.

James Tarkowski’s injury comes amid wider problems at the back for Dyche.

He has to contend with injuries that have ruled senior right-backs Nathan Patterson and Coleman out of the start of the campaign as well as James Garner, who has played on the right of defence for Everton and England Under-21s.

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Dyche said some of the injured players could be re-assessed on Friday but that neither Coleman, Patterson nor centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who had surgery on a groin issue at the start of the summer, are in contention for a return in north London.

Press conference recap

Well, there was a lot covered there!

Sean Dyche, understandably, couldn't give much of a takeover update. Let's face it, the only man with the answers is Farhad Moshiri.

Dycyhe said he doesn't expect a busy end to the transfer window but was playful when asked about Kieran Trippier, the Newcastle United and England right-back who is said to be interesting Everton.

The other big line came regarding injuries. Already without a number of players for the tricky trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Dyche revealed stand-in skipper James Tarkowski is a doubt. That is the last thing the Blues need considering they are already with fellow centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite and all three established right-backs.

There was also an update on Dele Alli.

Read it all above.

Dyche on Dele, experience and supporters leaving early

Dyche is now talked about experience. He says the game "is more unforgiving" now and that giving young players or inexperienced players opportunities in the Premier League is much more difficult than it may previously have been. It is not just about their development and ensuring they are ready, it is also abnout ensuring there is the strength around them to protect them.

Asked specifically about the U21s he continues on the theme of protecting players who may not be ready before shifting his answer onto Tim Iroegbunam, who did make his debut at the weekend.

Now on Dele: "He is just not ready for that yet." - that is on the topic of behind closed doors games.

On his post-Brighton comments about the empty seats at Goodison at the end of the Brighton match: "I have never criticised the fans here." He says he was describing the reality of Everton's plight at that moment and how he could understand why supporters may have wanted to leave early with Everton 2-0 down and down to 10 men in the closing stages against Brighton.

James Tarkowski a doubt for the weekend

Dyche says he has just 14 senior players to choose from this weekend. Hopefully he will give further detail on that. Asked about Brighton, he was pleased with the match until what he describes as two big mistakes.

Asked about Jarrad Branthwaite: “He is still a bit away. He is not close at the moment.”

James Tarkowski is a doubt for the weekend, he adds.

Dyche talks takeover and transfers

Hello - Sean Dyche is in the room and we are underway. It’s a good start - last year he complained about the heat in the room and he acknowledges it is cooler today.

Sky, as ever, kickstart the questions and we begin on the subject of off-field matters - the ownership situation. Sky ask whether Dyche has had any update on the Moshiri/Textor talks.

Dyche says he does not know much about what is happening, He is aware of Textor being in the conversation but that is it.

How would a new owner affect him? He plays down any impact aside from finances and budget and what impact that might have on the club and its efforts.

Moving onto finance - does he expect a busy final week of the transfer window? Dyche says it is ‘unlikely’. He talks about the new signings but then very quickly goes towards urging caution about their readiness for the Premier League - adding that Ndiaye, Lindstrom and Iroegbunam had few minutes of first team football between them.

Dyche is not expecting senior departures at this stage. Asked about a potential incoming - Kieran Trippier, he plays that down and talks about how “mysterious” it is that a right back comes into reports as Everton need one.

All set at Finch Farm

It's a glorious afternoon in the Finch Farm microclimate and I'm in the press room at the training ground - fresh from showing off some reverse parking skills to the car park stewards and having managed not to clip Robbie the Robot, who is out trimming one of the training pitches as we speak.

So, what to expect? Well, transfers, injuries and probably a bit of takeover. Uncertainty continues to reign over the precise nature of talks between John Textor and Farhad Moshiri. Dyche may be asked about that but there will be little he is likely to be able to say.

Injuries will be the main topic - Dyche told me after Brighton that he did not expect to have James Garner, Seamus Coleman or Nathan Patterson available for Spurs on Saturday. That question was asked in the context of the right back crisis created by Ashley Young's red card (I know, I know, plenty of you are reading and thinking there was a crisis in that position even before the veteran dragged back Kaoru Mitoma). Jarrad Branthwaite is not a solution to that problem but his progress will also be a line of enquiry.

Then transfers - David Ornstein has said Everton are among a clutch of clubs interested in Kieran Trippier. What else will we have in store in a week that has seen Everton reject an approach from Marseille for Neal Maupay.

Let's see.

Welcome, Blues

Let's try that again, shall we?

After a disastrous start to the new season, Everton have chance to make amends quickly away at Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

Sean Dyche was a little spiky speaking to the media after the match, so it will be intriguing to see what he has to say come Thursday afternoon.

It could be a tense one. Stick with us...