The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Middlesbrough
27th February 2027
Ferguson was mistaken, Digne is available after it was confirmed his suspension is only for the FA Cup, which Everton are not to compete in again this season. Partey and Cunha came into the side and Pablo Maffeo started at Right Back. Ferguson brought in Carl Dennis, the 18 year old Central Defender who is part of the u21 squad was named on the bench with resources short. Middlesbrough were on course for the worst points total with only ten points after 28 games after a dismal season under Erol Bulut. Although they managed to end an eight game losing streak with a draw against Chelsea last time out at the Riverside Stadium. Ferguson demanded more from his side in his pre-match press conference, stating that this is the point of the season that they need to work harder than ever before. Middlesbrough attacked in numbers and put Everton under some early pressure, Svensson was free on the right and he put in a dangerous ball which wasn’t gambled on and Everton got away with it. 8 minutes on the clock and Moleiro whipped in the corner from the left, Samardzic went for the header but was pushed off the ball in mid-air, the referee gave Everton the penalty! A clear foul from Lenihan and he could have no complaints. Samardzic was the one who stepped up, he sent Woodman the wrong way and nestled it into the bottom left corner! Everton frustrated the supporters with slow build up play not being able to get forward with enough pace. The Middlesbrough full backs kept Roony and Moleiro quiet in the first half, Roony was coming inside to try to open up Middlesbrough through the middle. Matsima went off at half-time and was replaced by Onana. He had a good game but I think it may be precautionary. Partey won the ball back on 60 minutes, he passed wide to Beto who ran forward and got into the area, he tried the shot from a tight angle on his right foot but Woodman made a good save. Patterson replaced a tiring Digne at Left Back, Gonzalez came on for Roony with 30 minutes to go. Thomas Partey had a great strike denied by Woodman when Moleiro played the short corner and Everton will rue that as with just under ten minutes to play, Coulibali crossed into the box and Collado beat Maffeo in the air to equalise. The Everton supporters could only watch on in disappointment as rest of the game played out with no real intent from Everton to win the game. Garner came on for the last five minutes but had no impact on the remainder of the game. Everton didn’t look good today and it showed in their performance. Middlesbrough will be the happier of the two taking a point towards the end.
PLAYER RATINGS
Fulham vs Everton
6th March 2027
Wayne Rooney was still managing Fulham, with the side quite comfortable in 14th. In their previous fixute, Fulham came to Bramley Moore and stuffed Everton 4-0 after Konate was sent off in the first half. It was sheer domination by Rooney’s side and they simply were allowed to run riot. The game will be fresh in the memory of many Evertonians and the Toffees will be looking to set the record straight in West London. Both Beto and James Garner went down this week with injuries, many reports coming out of Fimch Farm is that the team is participating in high intensity training set out by Ferguson and Aspiazu. Everton were low on numbers and Ferguson named seven subs out of a possible nine. With Gonzalez playing in the Striker role, he will need support from Cunha and Roony behind him. It was a tough battle out there and many tackles being thrown in from both sides. Everton seemed more defensive and were asking Fulham to break them down. On 39 minutes the breakthrough came when Arezo fed it through to Leon Bailey and he got the better of Maffeo to slot past Pickford from the near post. Fulham with the lead and Everton needing to step it up. Everton did come forward and a nice pass down the right from Maffeo to Roony saw him square it nicely to Gonzalez in the area but his first time shot was wayward. Matsima won the header from the Fulham cross and got it wide to Roony, he loves to get on the ball and dribble and he done it so well keeping the ball at his feet, he had the vision to play it through the defensive line for Gonzalez who poked it goal bound with his left foot and equalised! VAR intervened and it was ruled out for offside on Gonzalez, the boos came from the away end at Craven Cottage with Everton feeling victimised by poor officiating. Ferguson was made even more furious when Fulham went up the other end, Reed crossing from the left and Guedes heading in at the far post beating Digne to the ball and making it 2-0 with 37 minutes to go. Ferguson made changes at the back taking off Digne for Onana and moving Godfrey to Left Back and Maffeo going off for Patterson. Fulham cut through Everton who were clearly not at the races and Reed was found in acres of space to dink the ball over an oncoming Pickford and give Rooney’s side a 3-0 lead. Ferguson had to go with what he had and with Godfrey struggling for fitness, he came off and was replaced by Alcaraz who went up top. It had been a disastrous afternoon for Everton and a Martin Tejon, on loan from Valencia made a rare appearance replacing Moleiro with less than ten to go. Could it get any worse for Everton right now? On 93 minutes Pickford played it short to Onana and he got it horribly wrong when his kick deflected off Bailey and went into an open net.and it’s 4-0 to the home side. Rooney with the biggest smile as he thrashes Everton once again. Ferguson and Everton in a real mess, with Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd to come in the next three games, injuries galore and teams smelling blood, this could be disastrous for Duncan Ferguson.
DF: It’s back to the drawing board, we are going to rip it up and start again, clean slate. Everyone gets a fresh start, it’s Liverpool next and we have to treat this like the first game of the season, get out there and make an impression. Let’s focus on what we can do and not what’s happened so far. We can finish this season strong and take that momentum forward. Ten games to go, let’s go out and do something.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON HIT STICKY SPOT
It’s apparent Europe is off for Everton with ten games to go and trailing by fourteen points. At best, a top ten finish would be nothing short of brilliant at this stage and maybe a 12th place finish would be more realistic, if Everton can quickly get a hold of things and get back to wimning. Injuries have hampered Everton recently and a lack of creative options from the bench has stopped them from being able to get a result. In defence it’s obvious how much they are missing Jarrad Branthwaite and Alex Valle, as Lucas Digne is now showing his age and not able to get up and down the line like he used to. First team players are starting to return to training which will help but the next five games are very tough against Liverpool, Man Utd twice, Man City and Spurs. The supporters are fully behind the manager, as are the board but being unable to take that next step will see players begin to leave. Players who were sold on The Project and players that could be wanting Champions League football at some point in their careers. It may not be time to panic and just could be a result of key injuries having an impact, it’s up to the manager to earn his stripes and pull Everton back to being competitive.
Everton vs Liverpool
13th March 2027
Danny Mead and Jarrad Branthwaite both returned to the bench, however it may be too soon but Everton were short in numbers. Gonzalez started up top for Everton and Federico Redondo got a start in a midfield three with Samardzic and Partey. 19 year old Nick Mackenzie was called up from the u21’s and was named on the bench. Liverpool were not having their best season, in 6th place and 24 points behind leaders Arsenal, champions league qualification will still be the aim but since Salah and Van Dijk left the club, they have not been the same side and Everton may feel like they can get something here. Federico Redondo went into the book after 3 minutes with a strong challenge on Darwin Nunez so not ideal for the midfielder. Liverpool found their stride and as Onana stepped out of position, Szoboszlai played it through for Nunez to slot into the bottom left corner, 1-0 to the visitors. 15 minutes later Pickford made a great save tipping over the shot from Diaz. Robertson took the corner from the left, Nunez headed down and Konate slid in to make it 2-0, looking like game over for Everton so early on. Pickford took the goal kick on 35 minutes, Matsima headed it forward and Gonzalez knocked it ahead of Robertson and beat him for pace to create a one on one with Alisson, created the angle and slotted low to the left, Everton with a goal back! The game went on, Everton yet to grab the equaliser but to create a decent enough chance. Liverpool took off Nunez and brought on Vlahovic. Everton had a few options and with just under 20 minutes to go, they brought on Cunha for Redondo and Branthwaite got his return to action replacing Onana in defence. Rooney went in for a challenge with Robertson on 76 minutes but he came in full force on his ankle and was deservedly sent off for his challenge. Everton had to regain themselves after a coming together from both sides and Robertson getting into it with Patterson. Everton had a chance to get something and Ferguson wanted to push his side forward. Danny Mead was readied to come on and he replaced Gonzalez. Danny Mead got stuck in on Mac Allister winning the ball for his side, Samardzic took control of it, played it wide to Moleiro and he crossed low along the turf to Mead who guided it into the bottom right corner! Everton equalise! Danny Mead against his rivals! What a moment for the Evertonian! The referee checked the goal with VAR and after a few minutes they ruled it out! Mead’s right leg was offside as it came in. That was so close. That decision could be costly. Everton aggrieved by the decision and Liverpool came down the other end, Mac Allister assisting Elliott to make it 3-1 and the fans are furious. Elliott in the faces of Everton players as he runs off to celebrate. Everton at this point were dejected, with many questions over the offside decision and Liverpool once again come to Bramley Moore and take all three points.
DF: The offside call wasn’t clear and obvious, it’s debatable but a decision that really took the wind out of our sails. I’ve seen these controversial decisions given but on this occasion it’s us on the receiving end. I’m disappointed for the fans to have to go through this, a point today would have made a massive difference for the club and for the rest of the season but we have to remember that late fight we showed out there and just try to keep going.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
27th February 2027
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Ferguson was mistaken, Digne is available after it was confirmed his suspension is only for the FA Cup, which Everton are not to compete in again this season. Partey and Cunha came into the side and Pablo Maffeo started at Right Back. Ferguson brought in Carl Dennis, the 18 year old Central Defender who is part of the u21 squad was named on the bench with resources short. Middlesbrough were on course for the worst points total with only ten points after 28 games after a dismal season under Erol Bulut. Although they managed to end an eight game losing streak with a draw against Chelsea last time out at the Riverside Stadium. Ferguson demanded more from his side in his pre-match press conference, stating that this is the point of the season that they need to work harder than ever before. Middlesbrough attacked in numbers and put Everton under some early pressure, Svensson was free on the right and he put in a dangerous ball which wasn’t gambled on and Everton got away with it. 8 minutes on the clock and Moleiro whipped in the corner from the left, Samardzic went for the header but was pushed off the ball in mid-air, the referee gave Everton the penalty! A clear foul from Lenihan and he could have no complaints. Samardzic was the one who stepped up, he sent Woodman the wrong way and nestled it into the bottom left corner! Everton frustrated the supporters with slow build up play not being able to get forward with enough pace. The Middlesbrough full backs kept Roony and Moleiro quiet in the first half, Roony was coming inside to try to open up Middlesbrough through the middle. Matsima went off at half-time and was replaced by Onana. He had a good game but I think it may be precautionary. Partey won the ball back on 60 minutes, he passed wide to Beto who ran forward and got into the area, he tried the shot from a tight angle on his right foot but Woodman made a good save. Patterson replaced a tiring Digne at Left Back, Gonzalez came on for Roony with 30 minutes to go. Thomas Partey had a great strike denied by Woodman when Moleiro played the short corner and Everton will rue that as with just under ten minutes to play, Coulibali crossed into the box and Collado beat Maffeo in the air to equalise. The Everton supporters could only watch on in disappointment as rest of the game played out with no real intent from Everton to win the game. Garner came on for the last five minutes but had no impact on the remainder of the game. Everton didn’t look good today and it showed in their performance. Middlesbrough will be the happier of the two taking a point towards the end.
PLAYER RATINGS
Fulham vs Everton
6th March 2027
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Wayne Rooney was still managing Fulham, with the side quite comfortable in 14th. In their previous fixute, Fulham came to Bramley Moore and stuffed Everton 4-0 after Konate was sent off in the first half. It was sheer domination by Rooney’s side and they simply were allowed to run riot. The game will be fresh in the memory of many Evertonians and the Toffees will be looking to set the record straight in West London. Both Beto and James Garner went down this week with injuries, many reports coming out of Fimch Farm is that the team is participating in high intensity training set out by Ferguson and Aspiazu. Everton were low on numbers and Ferguson named seven subs out of a possible nine. With Gonzalez playing in the Striker role, he will need support from Cunha and Roony behind him. It was a tough battle out there and many tackles being thrown in from both sides. Everton seemed more defensive and were asking Fulham to break them down. On 39 minutes the breakthrough came when Arezo fed it through to Leon Bailey and he got the better of Maffeo to slot past Pickford from the near post. Fulham with the lead and Everton needing to step it up. Everton did come forward and a nice pass down the right from Maffeo to Roony saw him square it nicely to Gonzalez in the area but his first time shot was wayward. Matsima won the header from the Fulham cross and got it wide to Roony, he loves to get on the ball and dribble and he done it so well keeping the ball at his feet, he had the vision to play it through the defensive line for Gonzalez who poked it goal bound with his left foot and equalised! VAR intervened and it was ruled out for offside on Gonzalez, the boos came from the away end at Craven Cottage with Everton feeling victimised by poor officiating. Ferguson was made even more furious when Fulham went up the other end, Reed crossing from the left and Guedes heading in at the far post beating Digne to the ball and making it 2-0 with 37 minutes to go. Ferguson made changes at the back taking off Digne for Onana and moving Godfrey to Left Back and Maffeo going off for Patterson. Fulham cut through Everton who were clearly not at the races and Reed was found in acres of space to dink the ball over an oncoming Pickford and give Rooney’s side a 3-0 lead. Ferguson had to go with what he had and with Godfrey struggling for fitness, he came off and was replaced by Alcaraz who went up top. It had been a disastrous afternoon for Everton and a Martin Tejon, on loan from Valencia made a rare appearance replacing Moleiro with less than ten to go. Could it get any worse for Everton right now? On 93 minutes Pickford played it short to Onana and he got it horribly wrong when his kick deflected off Bailey and went into an open net.and it’s 4-0 to the home side. Rooney with the biggest smile as he thrashes Everton once again. Ferguson and Everton in a real mess, with Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd to come in the next three games, injuries galore and teams smelling blood, this could be disastrous for Duncan Ferguson.
DF: It’s back to the drawing board, we are going to rip it up and start again, clean slate. Everyone gets a fresh start, it’s Liverpool next and we have to treat this like the first game of the season, get out there and make an impression. Let’s focus on what we can do and not what’s happened so far. We can finish this season strong and take that momentum forward. Ten games to go, let’s go out and do something.
PLAYER RATINGS
EVERTON HIT STICKY SPOT
It’s apparent Europe is off for Everton with ten games to go and trailing by fourteen points. At best, a top ten finish would be nothing short of brilliant at this stage and maybe a 12th place finish would be more realistic, if Everton can quickly get a hold of things and get back to wimning. Injuries have hampered Everton recently and a lack of creative options from the bench has stopped them from being able to get a result. In defence it’s obvious how much they are missing Jarrad Branthwaite and Alex Valle, as Lucas Digne is now showing his age and not able to get up and down the line like he used to. First team players are starting to return to training which will help but the next five games are very tough against Liverpool, Man Utd twice, Man City and Spurs. The supporters are fully behind the manager, as are the board but being unable to take that next step will see players begin to leave. Players who were sold on The Project and players that could be wanting Champions League football at some point in their careers. It may not be time to panic and just could be a result of key injuries having an impact, it’s up to the manager to earn his stripes and pull Everton back to being competitive.
Everton vs Liverpool
13th March 2027
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Danny Mead and Jarrad Branthwaite both returned to the bench, however it may be too soon but Everton were short in numbers. Gonzalez started up top for Everton and Federico Redondo got a start in a midfield three with Samardzic and Partey. 19 year old Nick Mackenzie was called up from the u21’s and was named on the bench. Liverpool were not having their best season, in 6th place and 24 points behind leaders Arsenal, champions league qualification will still be the aim but since Salah and Van Dijk left the club, they have not been the same side and Everton may feel like they can get something here. Federico Redondo went into the book after 3 minutes with a strong challenge on Darwin Nunez so not ideal for the midfielder. Liverpool found their stride and as Onana stepped out of position, Szoboszlai played it through for Nunez to slot into the bottom left corner, 1-0 to the visitors. 15 minutes later Pickford made a great save tipping over the shot from Diaz. Robertson took the corner from the left, Nunez headed down and Konate slid in to make it 2-0, looking like game over for Everton so early on. Pickford took the goal kick on 35 minutes, Matsima headed it forward and Gonzalez knocked it ahead of Robertson and beat him for pace to create a one on one with Alisson, created the angle and slotted low to the left, Everton with a goal back! The game went on, Everton yet to grab the equaliser but to create a decent enough chance. Liverpool took off Nunez and brought on Vlahovic. Everton had a few options and with just under 20 minutes to go, they brought on Cunha for Redondo and Branthwaite got his return to action replacing Onana in defence. Rooney went in for a challenge with Robertson on 76 minutes but he came in full force on his ankle and was deservedly sent off for his challenge. Everton had to regain themselves after a coming together from both sides and Robertson getting into it with Patterson. Everton had a chance to get something and Ferguson wanted to push his side forward. Danny Mead was readied to come on and he replaced Gonzalez. Danny Mead got stuck in on Mac Allister winning the ball for his side, Samardzic took control of it, played it wide to Moleiro and he crossed low along the turf to Mead who guided it into the bottom right corner! Everton equalise! Danny Mead against his rivals! What a moment for the Evertonian! The referee checked the goal with VAR and after a few minutes they ruled it out! Mead’s right leg was offside as it came in. That was so close. That decision could be costly. Everton aggrieved by the decision and Liverpool came down the other end, Mac Allister assisting Elliott to make it 3-1 and the fans are furious. Elliott in the faces of Everton players as he runs off to celebrate. Everton at this point were dejected, with many questions over the offside decision and Liverpool once again come to Bramley Moore and take all three points.
DF: The offside call wasn’t clear and obvious, it’s debatable but a decision that really took the wind out of our sails. I’ve seen these controversial decisions given but on this occasion it’s us on the receiving end. I’m disappointed for the fans to have to go through this, a point today would have made a massive difference for the club and for the rest of the season but we have to remember that late fight we showed out there and just try to keep going.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
