Our Everton jury have returned to have their say on the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, the upcoming game against Arsenal and the January transfer window
Dominic Calvert-Lewin after scoring for Leeds United against Brentford
Dominic Calvert-Lewin after scoring for Leeds United against Brentford
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Everton paid the price for missing a host of chances as they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea on Saturday. Goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto secured the hosts all three points at Stamford Bridge.
But the outcome could have been very different had David Moyes’ side managed to take some of the openings they created. Thierno Barry and Jack Grealish were both denied by Robert Sanchez, while Iliman Ndiaye hit the inside of the post.
And our Everton jury have returned to have their say on the defeat, the upcoming game against Arsenal and the January transfer window.
Paul McParlan - A Bridge too far
Although it was not the result we wanted, there were still reasons to be encouraged by our performance at Chelsea last Saturday.
Despite losing the services of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after 15 minutes, the team played well, but conceding the second goal on the stroke of half-time was a blow that put the game out of reach.
David Moyes was right to be positive in his post-match interview; we played some creative football, created some chances and, with better finishing, should have converted at least one of them, an all too familiar theme this season.
With 18 goals from 19 games, we are the lowest-scoring team in the top 15 of the Premier League, and that situation is going to cost us if it continues.
In contrast, Chelsea have three striking options in Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who would walk into our team. However, they did spend a combined fee of over £120 million on these players, and the fact is that until we can offer European football on a regular basis, footballers of their calibre are not going to sign for us.
It looks increasingly unlikely that we are going to be active in the January window, so it looks like Thierno Barry and Beto will remain as our main goalscoring options. And I am sure I am not the only one who is wondering whether we should have done more to keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the club this summer. There is no substitute for experience at the top level.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Leeds United at Gtech Community Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his equaliser vs Brentford for Leeds United
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Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye have departed for AFCON, and with Senegal being one of the competition favourites, we may not see them again until 20 January 2026. This means they will miss up to seven games at a crucial part of the season.
However, their absence does give other players a chance to break into the side. Will we finally see Tyler Dibling being given an extended run in the team, and does this give Charly Alcaraz a chance of a regular starting role? Is there also a possibility that we may recall Harrison Armstrong from his successful loan spell at Preston North End?
Table topping Arsenal are the visitors to the HDS on Saturday, at the ridiculously inconvenient time of 20.00h, showing once again how fans are the last factor to be considered when games are rearranged at short notice. Why should Everton fans care about Arsenal’s fixture congestion? They were going to the European Super League anyway.
We have a good record here against the Gunners. They have only won once on their last seven visits, and we should look to continue that run on Saturday.
Playing under the lights in front of a packed, vociferous stadium, let’s hope we can show Arsenal that there is more to football than set pieces. It would be an ideal early Christmas present for us Evertonians to savour.
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Mark McParlan - Everton transfer priority clear
I went to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and felt we were hard done by in the first half. For the first 20 minutes before Cole Palmer’s sucker-punch goal, we were the better side.
That rocked us for a fair period, but the side regrouped only to concede again before half-time. The match was over by that point. Vitalii Mykolenko wasn’t strong enough against Pedro Neto for that second goal, nor was Idrissa Gueye switched on enough to Gusto’s run.
It wasn’t going to happen for us - Chelsea are a better side and deserved the win - but we gave a reasonable account of ourselves and definitely should have scored.
Our squad is predictably looking very stretched for Arsenal. Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliant effort against the post showed just what we’ll be missing in his absence.
Last week I weighed up whether it would be Tyler Dibling or Dwight McNeil to take Ndiaye’s place – but if Jack Grealish is also unavailable, it’s possible both may start. Big chance for them.
David Moyes with Jack Grealish as Tyler Dibling replaces him during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
David Moyes with Jack Grealish as Tyler Dibling replaces him during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
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It’s interesting in any case that this time, Dibling made it ahead of McNeil on Saturday. They, Charly Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam, will be keen to start, and while Arsenal have a mean defensive record, it has come unstuck in recent weeks with their own injuries.
Still, the Arsenal match is only one of our concerns – we have six fixtures to fulfil between now and the 10th of January. The wisdom of signing an Merlin Rohl is looking increasingly dubious as he is unsurprisingly injured when he might need him most.
Already eyes are moving to the January window. We are certainly going to be needing at least one full-back, and they must have pace in abundance and the ability to cross a ball, unlike our present options. It’s a non-negotiable for the improvement of this team.
Then if neither Rohl or Dewsbury-Hall are back soon, we have to be looking at another midfielder. I don’t mind moving into the loan market if we have to.
Indeed, one solution may unfortunately have to include cutting short Harrison Armstrong’s extremely productive loan at Preston.
Meanwhile, Thierno Barry’s latest lacklustre performance and the return of the old Beto swap raises questions there, but I can’t see the club spending on a striker unless Beto leaves.
For now, we have to especially pray James Garner doesn’t get injured!
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