Everton beat Fulham at Craven Cottage at the weekend to consolidate their position in mid-table. When David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January, the fear of relegation was a palpable thing indeed.
Trailing 1-0 when the fourth official displayed four minutes of stoppage time before the interval, Vitalii Mykolenko struck from outside the box and saw a wicked deflection get the better of Bernd Leno. Michael Keane and Beto struck in the second half to seal a fantastic win on the road.
Keane and Abdoulaye Doucoure (who assisted Mykolenko) are both out of contract next month but produced excellent performances to perhaps suggest they deserve a place at Bramley Moore next season.
However, not everyone facing an exit will have impressed the gaffer.
Everton's worst performers vs Fulham
Moyes knew when taking on the Everton job that he would face a deluge of contractual issues. The arrival of Angus Kinnear, Kevin Thelwell's replacement in the directors box, makes that task less daunting, but it's a big one nonetheless.
Keane and Doucoure might be getting on, taking a considerable portion of the wage bill besides, but they are still capable of adding depth and experience to a Blues side fighting for higher ground. However, Ashley Young, 39, is a spring chicken no more and proved that much on Saturday.
Ashley Young looks dejected for Everton
The right-back languished against the fleet feet of Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon, still showing off some creativity but being branded with a 5/10 match rating by The Liverpool ECHO, who echoed that sentiment.
Jack Harrison might be a decade younger, but he's no less expendable. The loanee is about to complete his second year on Merseyside but has ebbed back on multiple occasions this season, with just one goal and one assist across 36 matches in 2024/25.
David-Moyes-Everton-Jack-Harrison
He too received a 5/10 score from the ECHO, struggling against a Fulham side that limited him to an houer on the field, hooked so that Moyes' side could achieve more fluency and security in their game.
At least these players earned starting roles. There's another whose afternoon was spent on the bench. Armando Broja has been unfortunate with injuries this year, but there's no way Everton should be looking to turn his loan move into a permanent deal this summer.
Moyes must instantly ditch Armando Broja
Everton have been a day late and a dollar short too many times in the transfer market in recent years, with Broja's signing reminiscent of the frustrating deals that never live up to the hype.
Armando Broja for Everton
Admittedly, injuries have formed the crux of the 23-year-old's struggles at Goodison Park this season, for he has only started four times in the Premier League and has failed to score across any competition.
Having been an unused substitute across the past two fixtures now that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit again, it's clear Moyes does not value the Chelsea man all that highly.
Armando Broja's Premier League Career
Season
Everton - 24/25
Fulham - 23/24
Chelsea - 23/24
Chelsea - 22/23
Southampton - 21/22
Stats via Transfermarkt
Broja left Stamford Bridge for Merseyside last summer on a one-year loan deal, with the option to make the move permanent for a £30m figure.
Given that the Albania international has scored just two Premier League goals across the past three seasons, Moyes would be unwise to authorise the transfer, especially when considering he hasn't even hit the target across his 13 appearances as a Toffee, as per Sofascore, only yet to miss a big chance because he hasn't been presented with one.
He might have been hailed as an "animal" by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell during his time with Southampton, that was a long time ago and he needs to do much more to restore that predatory instinct.
Armando-Broja
Ultimately, for £30m, Chelsea would be laughing after a third successive Premier League campaign with little success for the centre-forward.
Broja has the talent to make it work at the highest level, but Everton should turn their heads elsewhere.
Beto-Everton-Premier-League Related
Forget Beto: Everton starlet showed why he could be a future £100m star
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