Liverpool Echo

What Seamus Coleman did at full-time as Everton captain delivers one final classy act

Seamus Coleman showed his class on his final appearance as an Everton player following the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur

Seamus Coleman ended his Everton career with a classy goodbye.

The departing club captain, brought on for the final minutes as the Blues fell to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, almost played a role in Everton salvaging a point when his cross found the head of Carlos Alcaraz, who flicked just high and wide.

That was his last act of note in Royal Blue but when the final whistle went in north London he had his own special moment amid the wider celebrations of a Spurs side that had secured survival on the final day of the Premier League.

Coleman - who was applauded on by both sets of supporters - found every home player who had collapsed in relief at the end of the game, shaking their hands.

OPINION

OPINION

One player still walking was Richarlison, who walked over to his former team-mate and embraced him before the pair shared a short conversation.

The 37-year-old then walked to the away end, which stood in applause as he thumped his chest and clapped back in a moment enjoyed away from his team-mates.

Coleman made the journey to the dressing room alone - though constantly mobbed by players and staff from both teams on his way - as the curtain fell on an extraordinary 17 year career at Everton.

The scenes ended an emotional week that saw him play his last home game in the second half against Sunderland before giving a series of poignant speeches at the club’s end of season awards and during a guard of honour at Finch Farm.

Everton player ratings from their 1-0 final-day Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, who survive at the expense of David Moyes' former club West Ham United

Everton ended the season without a win from their final seven matches as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur that ensured their hosts stay in the Premier League at London rivals West Ham United’s expense.

Despite earning a first-minute corner, the Blues were pinned back for long periods for what was largely one-way traffic.

There was huge relief from the home fans on 43 minutes as Joao Palhinha put them ahead at the second time of asking after being left unmarked by Merlin Rohl and in truth Roberto De Zerbi’s side never looked like being in danger of dropping into the bottom three.

Everton had a bit of a go in stoppage-time with substitute Tyrique George bringing a spectacular save out of home Antonin Kinsky but it was too little, too late.

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And here is how we rated the Blues, whose seven-match winless run to end the campaign means they finish 13th.

Jordan Pickford 5

Going into his third straight World Cup as England number one but once again put in a jittery display here, making a hash of what should have been an easy take from Djed Spence early in the second half having been left annoyed by conceding yet another goal from a set-piece before he’d had a save of note to make.

Jake O’Brien 4

Hopefully that’s the last time that this promising centre-half had to play right-back as he toiled again in the position before being hooked, needing to be careful after being shown a yellow card for pulling back Mathys Tel, he then had another nibble at him soon afterwards.

Vitalii Mykolenko 5

Looked more solid than O’Brien on the other side, but he still spent most of the game being pegged back, offering little as an attacking outlet.

James Tarkowski 6

Everton’s most proactive defender when trying to deal with the seemingly constant waves of Spurs attacks, he was just about holding things together before Palhinha struck but was booked late on for catching Kevin Danso.

Michael Keane 5

Couldn’t get close enough to Palhinha for the goal but it looked like the Spurs scorer should have been Rohl’s man and the lack of pace from him and Tarkowski caused a few nervous moments.

Tim Iroegbunam 5

Was kept busy in the engine room as Spurs push forward, making a crucial block to deny Palhinha, but needed to form more of a protective shield and was unable to push the play forwards.

James Garner 5

Everton’s double Player of the Year but no England World Cup call-up, he offered a bit of fight that was lacking in too many of his team-mates, but his set-piece deliveries weren’t up to his usual standards and he had a spell at right-back after O’Brien went off.

Merlin Rohl 4

Needs to stay switched on as he left Palhinha unmarked – twice in a matter of seconds – for the goal and while he had a bit of a go again up the right wing and put himself about, he let his team down in a key moment.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 5

After reviving the up-and-under kick-off, he surprisingly went short with a first-minute corner rather than testing Spurs’ nerves early on and with the hosts often deep in Everton territory, he found himself on the periphery of proceedings unable to offer the kind of threat in the final third we’d seen so often earlier in the season.

Iliman Ndiaye 5

Encouragingly turned up on the right wing to win a first minute corner but then moved back to the left and other than a mazy dribble just after the half-hour mark, he was mostly chasing shadows on what has been a major end-of-season dip in form.

Thierno Barry 5

Couldn’t keep Palhinha’s effort out when on his own goal-line, Everton’s only change on the day, David Moyes gave him a chance to impress in the final game, but he hardly saw the ball and when he did, some of his touches were loose.

SUBS

Tyrique George (on 62 for Rohl) 7

For one promising moment, it looked like he had a chance to score or make an equaliser, but ultimately he couldn’t get the ball to drop where he wanted it and then brought the best out of Antonin Kinsky in stoppage time.

Harrison Armstrong (on 62 for O’Brien) 6

Thurst on in the heat of battle, hopefully he can be one of the Everton squad to kick on next season as he’s never looked out of place.

Beto (on 84 for Barry)

Late cameo to offer more muscle up front.

Seamus Coleman (on 84 for Iroegbunam)

Final Everton outing from the club captain

Charly Alcaraz (on 84 for Dewsbury-Hall)

Played the pass that led to George’s first chance.

What can Everton do? Not a lot by the looks of things but they have the ball at the back with Tarkowsku and Armstrong gets the ball down the right, sending a shudder through the home fans. Everton work the ball to the left where Barry has it by the corner, tries to beat Spence, loses it and concedes the throw-in. Sums up his afternoon.

Palhinha, Gallagher and Bentancur look too strong and wily for Everton, who come again but waste a throw in by Mykolenko before Bentancur buys a free kick in the middle.

The introduction of Armstrong and George has turned this game, with Armstrong helping Everton to retain possession and George looking to beat his man. With West Ham having scored, the home support is getting anxious and it is seeping onto the pitch.

Barry does well to hold up the ball down the right and Everton are on the attack before Barry, now in the middle, bundles over Palhinha as he gets in front of him.

Double change for the hosts now.

Pape Matar Sarr and Randal Kolo Muani replace Mathys Tel and Richarlison.

Jordan Pickford 5

Has had to deal with a flurry of dangerous balls – often aerial deliveries – into his box, including a Djed Spence delivery aimed for Richarlison but having had no real saves of note to make beforehand, will be annoyed to have conceded yet another goal from a set-piece.

Jake O’Brien 4

Is toiling again at right-back, hopefully for the final time, and having been booked for pulling back Mathys Tel, he had another nibble at him and needs to be careful.

Vitalii Mykolenko 5

Looks more solid than O’Brien on the other side, but he’s still spent most of the first half being pegged back.

James Tarkowski 6

Everton’s most proactive defender when trying to deal with the Spurs onslaught, he was just about holding things together before Palhinha struck.

Michael Keane 5

Couldn’t get close enough to Palhinha for the goal but it looked like the Spurs scorer should have been Rohl’s man and the lack of pace from him and Tarkowski is still causing nervous moments.

Tim Iroegbunam 5

Being kept busy in the engine room as Spurs push forward, making a crucial block to deny Joao Palhinha, but needs to form more of a protective shield.

James Garner 5

Everton’s double Player of the Year but no England World Cup call-up and so far his set-piece deliveries haven’t been up to his usual standard.

Merlin Rohl 4

Left Palhinha unmarked – twice in a matter of seconds – for the goal, he is having a bit of a go again up the right wing and putting himself about, but Everton could do with more of that to help alleviate the pressure.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 5

After reviving the up-and-under kick-off, he surprisingly went short with a first-minute corner rather than testing Spurs’ nerves early on and with the hosts often deep in Everton territory, he’s found himself on the periphery of proceedings.

Iliman Ndiaye 5

Encouragingly turned up on the right wing to win a first minute corner but then moved back to the left and has been mostly chasing shadows other than a mazy dribble just after the half-hour mark.

Thierno Barry 5

Everton’s only change, David Moyes has given him a chance to impress in the final game but has hardly seen the ball and when he has, some of his touches have been loose and then he couldn’t keep Palhinha’s effort out.

Spurs' turn to lose the ball in the middle as Everton pick the pocket of Bentancur and Ndiaye is sent into space down the right. His cross is blocked and Spurs get the ball away before Richarlison is fouled as he hits O'Brien late when trying to charge down a clearance.

This game is neither pretty nor coherent and the best opportunities are being created by mistakes.

Spurs charge forward down the right and the cross finds Tel at the back post with time to control but his effort finds the head of Tarkowski and that is another attack repelled. Tel has been Spurs' most threatening player but has not had the chance to run at O'Brien recently. I'd change that if I was Spurs, especially with O'Brien on a booking.

Spurs do go back down Everton's right and Rohl is penalised for pushing/tripping Gallagher near the touchline. A poor foul to concede and the free kick is in a dangerous position, by the corner flag.

Pickford does well to punch away a good Porro cross.

Spurs have the ball and try to build an attack. They win a free kick as Tarkowski commits the latest foul from the away end. It is taken quickly and Spurs go from right to left, where Dewsbury-Hall mops up the danger and wins a free kick as he tries to surge away from Spence.

They come forwrad with the ball and get to the edge of the Spurs box, where Dewsbury-Hall, now on the right, cuts onto his left but has his shot blocked.

Everton keep up the pressure and Ndiaye evades a few tackles before his shot is diverted behind for a corner.

Dewsbury-Hall takes it and it just seems to miss everyone at the near post and bounce invitingly, but there is no-one attacking it and Spurs can clear.

Everton will face Tottenham Hotspur in their final match in the Premier League this season

Both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur will have players on the sidelines when they meet in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Blues go into the game looking to get an important three points in their final match of the campaign.

Everton are currently in 12th place in the Premier League table and three points would go a long way to helping secure a top-half finish this season.

David Moyes will be without at least two important players due to injury with Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite ruled out, while Idrissa Gueye could potentially feature.

On Gueye, Moyes said: "[He] has been back on the grass. I'd say there's probably a 50-50 chance he could be involved.

"We'll know a bit more once we've trained and seen him over the next couple of days. He's not trained with the team, at the moment, so that's where we're at."

Having been sidelined for the past few weeks, and with his return to full team training still uncertain, it remains uncertain if the Senegal international will be available for the fixture.

As for Tottenham, they have received a triple injury boost ahead of clash with Everton.

The only way Spurs could find themselves relegated to the Championship is if they lose while West Ham beat Leeds United, but Roberto De Zerbi will have several key players at his disposal as they look to avoid that nightmare outcome.

Dominic Solanke has been absent for their past three fixtures but is set to return to the squad, while James Maddison is also in contention for a place as his playing time is carefully managed following a serious knee injury.

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Addressing the pair, De Zerbi said: "Solanke is available. We have to decide if he starts in the first 11, or not, and Maddison is available. It is always tough to decide before the game how many minutes he can play.

"Of course, he is a different player, a top player for us. But we have to analyse the physical condition, the Italian weather and a lot of things. But both are available."

Djed Spence is also expected to be fit despite sustaining a broken jaw in the defeat to Chelsea earlier this week.

Tottenham do, however, remain without several key players for match, most notably captain Cristian Romero, who picked up his injury in De Zerbi's first match in charge.

Ben Davies is also anticipated to be absent, though De Zerbi confirmed he will remain involved throughout the team's preparations for the match.

Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons are all nursing long-term injuries, with the latter having ruptured his ACL during the victory over Wolves earlier this month.

Despite several key players remaining on the treatment table, De Zerbi faces some difficult choices regarding how much game time to hand Solanke and Maddison as they work their way back to full fitness.

Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero is in Argentina and will not be returning for Sunday's huge Premier League match with Everton

Cristian Romero has sparked controversy by flying to Argentina days before Tottenham Hotspur host Everton on Sunday in a match in which their Premier League status will be on the line.

Spurs' relegation battle has gone to the wire after they lost 2-1 at rivals Chelsea on Tuesday to stay only two points above 18th-placed West Ham United.

Romero was not present at Stamford Bridge but had been described as a "great captain" by Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi a day earlier.

Yet it has emerged that the injured Argentina defender is back in his homeland at boyhood club Belgrano, who face River Plate on Sunday in a title decider.

Belgrano's official X account posted a video of Romero at the club's training ground on Thursday night in a move met with anger from a disgruntled Spurs fanbase fearful of a catastrophic first relegation in 49 years.

Belgrano president Luis Artime then gave further details on the World Cup winner's involvement with his old club. "Yesterday he was training and I told him I think he’s going to be the one who arrives at the World Cup in the best shape," Artime said in interview with TyC Sports, as relayed by Catamarc Actual and Sport Witness.

"I’ve seen him and he’s in great form. He’s going to arrive well-rested, ready to join the team at its peak.

"The rest are still competing. They’re all coming off tough competitions. Cuti has had a month and a half or two months of rest, during which he’s preparing very well and will be one of the best. He’s already working with the ball. He came with the national team’s physio."

While Romero was present for the 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United on May 11 and provided a light-hearted moment when he celebrated Mathys Tel's goal by bundling assistant coach Andreas Georgson to the floor, any absence on Sunday for the biggest Premier League match in Tottenham's history may prove the final straw in terms of the Argentinian's relationship with supporters.

And De Zerbi has now confirmed that will be the case.

Speaking at his press conference to preview the crucial clash with Everton, he said: “He spoke with the medical staff, and together they decided to go to Argentina to complete the rehab with the Argentine medical staff.

“We spoke last week. With me, he show always he wants to stay with us. He is already injured. I'm not stupid. If there is any player who thinks for himself, I can't be the same Roberto. But with Cuti I can’t say nothing.”

Romero would have not been fit to face the Blues but asked if he understood fans' frustrations, De Zerbi said: “100 per cent I understand.

“The decision is with the medical staff. I have not time to lose energy, we have to be focused just on the game. We have players good enough to achieve our target.”

A win or realistically a draw would ensure that Tottenham, who will have striker Dominic Solanke fit, would survive.

However, should they lose to Everton and West Ham win at home to Leeds, they would be relegated from the Premier League for the first time.

The fan group will make their feelings clear no matter the result in Tottenham Hotspur's crucial last-day Premier League clash against Everton

Fan group Change for Tottenham plan to protest after Sunday's final match of the season with Everton regardless of whether relegation is avoided.

Spurs remain embroiled in a battle to survive after they lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday to stay 17th and only two points above the Premier League's bottom three.

It has been a disastrous campaign for the world's ninth-richest football team with three head coaches and multiple unwanted records set, including losing six games in a row for the first time in the club's history and going on a 15-match winless run in the Premier League.

Ahead of the final-day clash at home to Everton, a statement from Change for Tottenham read: "This Sunday, for 90 minutes, we need to get behind the team. Nothing else matters.

"We need the points and the players need every one of us behind them for one last time this season.

"When the final whistle blows, regardless of the result, we need to stand up to the board for putting us in this perilous position."

An enormous injury list has taken its toll on Spurs, but Change for Tottenham have largely pointed the blame for this sorry season at chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, director of football Johan Lange and club owners ENIC, which are run by the Lewis family.

Venkatesham and Lange were central to the summer decision to appoint Thomas Frank alongside Daniel Levy, who left his role as chairman after 24 years in September.

At the time sources close to the Lewis family told the Press Association they wanted "more wins, more often" and felt a change at the top of the club was required after Levy had been the key decision-maker for nearly a quarter of a century.

However, Levy's departure contributed towards a leadership vacuum, despite Venkatesham since being able to hire performance director Dan Lewindon and Rafi Moersen as director of football operations.

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After a bright start under Frank, he went on to record the worst win rate of any permanent Spurs manager before he was dismissed on February 11, which was a week on from the end of a relatively quiet winter transfer window despite a hefty injury crisis.

Tottenham turned to Igor Tudor, who lost five of his seven matches as interim head coach before the decision to bring in Roberto De Zerbi has been inspired.

De Zerbi's transformative effect at Spurs of raising a low-on-confidence and injury-hit group may still not be enough to avoid a catastrophic first relegation in 49 years if West Ham win at home to Leeds on Sunday and Everton triumph.

"Thomas Frank should have been sacked months before he was and Igor Tudor should never have been appointed, which resulted in our worst losing run in the club's history," a Change for Tottenham statement continued.

"We were desperate in January for new signings, every fan could see it and the board did nothing.

"Levy has gone and nothing has changed as it was never one man. It is ENIC and the Lewis family who own us and say nothing. Promised success, delivering failure.

"So, on Sunday our banners will go up in the North, East and South stands at full time regardless of the result. Join us to chant against the board and make your voice heard. We can't allow this to happen ever again."

The midfielder has missed the last tranche of games through injury. Moyes said last week that there was a chance he would be available for Tottenham but it will be interesting to see whether he plays or not. His selection in the Senegal World Cup squad suggests he is indeed close to recovery - will the Spurs match be a risk?

There is an open question over whether his future will be with the Blues - like Vitalii Mykolenko his contract expires in the summer, though the club retain the option to extend both deals.

I know Jordan Henderson brings experience and may perhaps be in that squad more for what he may bring off the pitch, but it is hard not to feel sorry for Garner. He has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season and maintained a consistent high standard even as Everton's form has gone up and down.

Garner has been a standout star for the whole season - he can count himself hard done by.

Hello everyone, Joe Thomas here at a bright, warm, sunny Finch Farm. It's a gorgeous morning. As for the mood here, well, we'll see. The Sunderland match the other day was a tough one and the abrupt end to the European push has been felt hard. There is no doubt we are in for an important summer and that may well be where more of the focus turns today, as big as the Spurs match is.

With this morning being the final chance reporters have to chance to quiz David Moyes until pre-season, expect there to be plenty of questions on transfers.

What do you believe is the priority position for Everton to attract this summer? You can have your say here:

Idrissa Gueye has missed Everton's last three matches - and his absence has been keenly felt.

David Moyes had said last week that the veteran midfielder, who along with Iliman Ndiaye, has been called up to Senegal's World Cup squad, had a chance of being fit for the last-day clash at Tottenham Hotspur.

But either way, there is a question mark of Gueye's future, given his contract expires in the summer.

And welcome to our live coverage of David Moyes' final press conference of the season.

The Everton manager will be with us from 10.30am.

The last time we heard from him was following Sunday's desperately disappointing 3-1 home loss to Sunderland, which has but all ended his side's chances of qualifiying for Europe.

What was being seen as a season of progress for the Blues is now being viewed by supporters as one of an opportunity missed.

Expect Moyes' thoughts on that and much more shortly.

Joe Thomas is at Finch Farm to bring you live updates from the press conference.

A look at which players could be featuring for Everton for the last time on Sunday when they go to Tottenham Hotspur

A number of players could be turning out for Everton for the last time at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The curtain comes down on the 2025/26 Premier League season this weekend – and possibly on Spurs’ 48-year tenure in the top flight – and, as always when it gets to the summertime, squads are reshaped with certain individuals moving on to pastures new.

In theory, everyone in David Moyes’ team could have the potential to depart, just as it is at every football club, but in reality certain individuals find themselves at distinct crossroads in their respective careers.

Here’s a look at who could be making their swansong in the royal blue jersey...

Club captain Seamus Coleman has announced that his time as an Everton player is ending after over 17 years’ service. The 37-year-old old came on as a late substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Sunderland last Sunday for one final home match at Hill Dickinson Stadium – his 434th outing which knocked his former team-mate Leon Osman and legendary leading goalscorer Dixie Dean out of the Blues’ all-time top 10 appearance list.

Perhaps the Republic of Ireland international might get another outing in north London? However, you would imagine he would only be called upon if nobody else was available.

Moyes has another right-back at his disposal in the shape of Nathan Patterson but his fellow Glaswegian is understood to be surplus to requirements despite having been brought to the club for £11million in January 2022 in the hope he would become Coleman’s long-term successor.

The 24-year-old has been overlooked by a string of Everton managers now despite being named in Scotland’s World Cup squad and, after coming close to joining Genoa on deadline day of the winter window after his manager admitted the Blues had been actively searching for a right-back for over a year, he is set to depart as he goes into the final 12 months of his current contract.

Over at left-back, there are also question marks about Vitalii Mykolenko, despite the Ukraine international having been Everton’s first choice in the position for his four-and-a-half years at the club.

Like Patterson, he was snapped up by Rafael Benitez in January 2022 – after the former Liverpool manager fell out with Lucas Digne and sold the France international to Aston Villa – but the 26-year-old’s current deal is due to expire this summer.

On face value, Mykolenko is on the verge of free agency but while the club have fudged the issue when asked, reports claim there is an option to extend by a year which would explain the seemingly relaxed attitude to the situation for a player who has turned out 156 times for the Blues and is seemingly at the peak of his powers.

Idrissa Gueye’s contract is also subject to a degree of ambiguity. When the midfielder signed a new one-year deal last summer, it was announced that there was an option for a further year.

A report in the Athletic now states that the 36-year-old – who along with fellow Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye missed seven matches while at the Africa Cup of Nations – has not made enough Premier League starts (he is on 25 with one game of the season left) to automatically trigger the extension and as such, fresh talks will be needed to resolve his future.

In the final hours of the winter transfer window, Dwight McNeil had a loan move to Crystal Palace agreed with an obligation for the south London side to buy him permanently this summer for £20million, but the deal fell through at the Eagles’ end with no sufficient explanation given, leaving the Rochdale-born player, his family and Everton all frustrated. Although the 26-year-old subsequently worked his way back into the team for a while as an inverted right winger, he’s been back on the bench again in recent weeks and might be set for a new challenge this summer given that Moyes was ready to let him go.

It remains unclear whether Tyrique George will be moving permanently in the opposite direction from the capital to Merseyside. On the same day that McNeil was supposedly heading to Selhurst Park, the Chelsea prospect joined Everton on loan with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Turning 20 just two days after he joined the Blues, George, who has been predominantly deployed on the left wing and has a year to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge, has made 10 appearances for Everton, but only one start and has never completed 90 minutes.

Also facing an uncertain future is number nine Beto.

Despite having hit double figures for the Blues in both of the last two seasons and with eight of his goals this term having come since the turn of the calendar year, speaking after his most recent strike in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on May 10, the 28-year-old who is set to enter the final 12 months of his current contract said: “When it’s finished, it’s finished. I don’t know the future, I still have a contract, so that’s it.”

Everton go to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday with the north London side fighting to stay up

Tottenham Hotspur could be relegated from the Premier League because of “fuming” Everton manager David Moyes.

That’s the verdict of former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp whose father Harry Redknapp also managed the north London outfit between 2008-12. Tottenham, on 38 points, go into their final fixture of the season at home to the Blues on Sunday with their top-flight status still not secured.

West Ham United, on 36 points, who host Leeds United at the same time with a 4pm kick-off, just six-and-a-half miles away, know they must beat the Yorkshire side to have any chance of survival.

For Spurs, a win over Moyes’ mean would guarantee avoiding the drop while their superior goal difference of 12 better than the Hammers ensures that realistically, a draw would also be enough for them.

OPINION

The Blues have triumphed on seven occasions in Premier League away fixtures this term but last Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland extended their winless run to six matches, gave them a losing record for the campaign as a whole and effectively ended their hopes of European qualification with the Black Cats leapfrogging them in the process.

Chelsea’s subsequent 2-1 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday mathematically ended Everton’s chances but kept the visitors sweating going into the last day.

Both the Blues and Spurs are two of half a dozen clubs who are ever-presents in the Premier League since it was formed in 1992 (the others being Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United) and to date Everton have been the only one of the six to go into the final fixture of a season with their top flight status on the line (three times, in 1994, 1998 and 2023).

However, the boot is on the other now and Redknapp also fears Roberto De Zerbi’s side could be coming up against a dangerous, wounded animal when it comes to Everton while Tottenham though have won only two Premier League games at home all season at their 62,850 base and have not triumphed there since the turn of the calendar year.

Goodison News quote the 52-year-old as telling Sky Sports: “Tottenham are sleepwalking towards relegation. I said it earlier this season.

“The only thing that’s saved them is a couple of good results. When I say good, they beat Wolves, and they beat an Aston Villa side who had seven players out at the time.

“Now they’ve got to find a way to win a game at home. Their home form has been horrendous all season, they’ve had no quality and no character to win a football match.

“Now they’ve got to find a way to beat Everton. David Moyes will be fuming after the weekend and he’ll be going there thinking: ‘We’ve got to get something out of this game’. I’d rather be playing Leeds at home than Everton.”

A look at the potential changes to the starting 11 that David Moyes could make for Everton's last day trip to Tottenham Hotspur

While their own European hopes are now dangling by the narrowest of threads and realistically they’re now playing for snookers, Everton must also consider the relegation battle when it comes to their team selection at Tottenham Hotspur.

If Chelsea defeat Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night then the David Moyes’ men fading hopes for continental competition would be officially extinguished. The west London outfit travel to Sunderland on the last day, so one of the two would be guaranteed to finish above the Blues.

So, even if Everton won handsomely and Brentford were beaten heavily at Liverpool, to turn around the current five goal deficit in goal difference between themselves and the Bees, they would be unable to climb into eighth place. Also, if Chelsea win, then it keeps Spurs fighting for survival going into the last day.

OPINION

Curiously if Roberto De Zerbi’s side were to triumph, or even draw given that they have a goal difference that is 13 better than that of West Ham United, then, while the Blues would not be mathematically out of the hunt, then they would not have to concern themselves with being fair to the Hammers and avoiding experimentation.

Either way, after Jake O’Brien’s struggles in the 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland on Sunday, there are question marks over the Republic of Ireland international. Will he be fit to play against Tottenham Hotspur, and if so, could he be moved to centre-back in place of either James Tarkowski or Michael Keane?

If O’Brien is ruled out or moved into the heart of defence then either Nathan Patterson or Seamus Coleman could step in at right-back but with the former now surplus to requirements and the latter having announced his departure as an Everton player, neither would be a forward-thinking move. Perhaps James Garner could even be asked to reprise his right-back role and move from central midfield?

Maybe Adam Aznou could even making a long-awaited Premier League debut at left-back in place of Vitalii Mykolenko? While Idrissa Gueye remains a fitness doubt for Spurs, if Garner was to move into defence then the likes of Harrison Armstrong, Charly Alcaraz, or even Merlin Rohl who started on the right wing against the Black Cats and netted his first goal in English football, before being moved into the engine room, could step in.

Armstrong, Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil would also be potential options both for wide roles with Iliman Ndiaye having struggled in recent weeks, or even as the number 10 with the form of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having also dipped. Up front, Beto has been spearheading the attack in recent weeks when fit but after being on a job share with Thierno Barry all season, Moyes could always plump for the Frenchman as the curtain comes down.