English defender Matt Targett, 30, who is on loan at Middlesbrough from Newcastle, is on the radar of Everton and Leeds. (Teamtalk), external
Marseille hold a strong interest in Morocco left-back Adam Aznou, 19, who is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Everton. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton fan Lee, from Falcon Blues TV, says he believes "head over heart" that the Toffees will win Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool.
Just five points separate the two sides this season after a disappointing campaign from the Reds and a better than expected one under David Moyes for Everton.
Arne Slot's side make the short trip off the back of being knocked out of the Champions League, which ended any hopes of them finishing this season with silverware.
"If you are asking for sympathy from a Liverpool perspective then you are looking at the wrong person," Lee told BBC Radio Merseyside., external "I think they have been spoiled in terms of success and they have had some great times - certainly in my lifetime.
"If this is Liverpool's version of struggling, then I'd liked to have seen them in our shoes for the last three, four, five years which have been a nightmare!
"But you have to be realistic [for the derby] and, yes, I'm an Everton fan and I want us to win and I am confident that we have a really good chance of winning on Sunday.
"I'm not naive and I know that Liverpool still have the better players and the better squad, so they should come to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as favourites. But I really fancy Everton at the weekend.
"Momentum is massive and I do think it will count for something that it's the first [derby] at the stadium. Liverpool love nothing more than upsetting the apple cart and they can - at times - find a way, but for the first time in a long time, I am leaning towards an Everton win.
"I think this is head over heart, and usually it's heart over head, I expect Everton to win."
The latest news and views on the Blues in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Derby Day Could Fire Everton Into Europe
Image source, Getty ImagesMerseyside derbies are always huge occasions across both sides of Stanley Park, but this weekend's instalment has enhanced significance for Everton and their unexpected quest for European football.
Rarely has a derby so deep into a season had such importance for the Toffees at the right end of the Premier League table.
Depending on results elsewhere, an Everton win could move them into the top six of the Premier League - and to within two points of their city neighbours.
The Toffees have not finished above Liverpool since the 2012-13 season - the last campaign of David Moyes' first spell in charge - but the prospect of them doing so again is as much about their success as about the Reds' struggles.
The statistics bear that out.
A victory for Moyes' side would see them hit the 50-point mark in a Premier League season for the first time since 2020-21 under Carlo Ancelotti (59).
After an inconsistent start at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, with their impressive away form the foundation for their league position, they are starting to feel at home at a pivotal stage of the season - and just before they welcome their arch-rivals to their new home for the first time.
Everton have won their last two home Premier League matches and are looking to win three in a row at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time in what is their 17th game there. It took them 18 matches to win three in a row at Goodison Park.
The goals are flowing now too. The Toffees have scored 10 in their last five games and Beto has found his scoring touch at just the right moment.
The 28-year-old had become a figure of ridicule in a first half of the season in which he scored just once in his opening 19 appearances.
But now Beto has been involved in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances (four goals, one assist), with only Bruno Fernandes (seven) involved in more since the start of this run on 28 February.
No player has scored more goals in that time - although Brentford's Igor Thiago has scored the same number as the Everton striker.
Liverpool are interested in Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, as they seek to bolster their attacking options for next season. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Mike Richards
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesSeason ticket prices for the 2026-27 campaign were released late last week, external and it is fair to say the feathers of many Evertonians have been ruffled.
With an average of a £45 increase for adults - up to a maximum of £85 - you can well understand why many fans feel a sense of disappointment at the latest price rises. This has been compounded further by a reduction in the number of seats in the Family Stand, meaning if those impacted want to keep the same seat, they will have a near £300 increase.
It is important to highlight that prices for under-11s have been frozen, which offers an element of protection for our younger fan base.
With the volatile nature of the global landscape - with seemingly ever increasing prices for everyone - the reaction from those dissenting voices is entirely understandable. The Everton Fan Advisory Board have also issued a statement, external to express their disappointment, with the club conversing with them regularly since October.
There is an acceptance by others that the increases were somewhat inevitable. A new stadium, grand ambitions and a need to increase revenue comes at a price. We want to be in a position to compete in the transfer market and any extra revenue can help us achieve that.
The big question is whether an extra couple of million pounds could have been made up elsewhere.
Speaking directly to the club, it confirmed that Everton is still a loss-making business, with a need to increase both commercial and matchday revenue to work towards becoming sustainable - very much in line with the second stage of the owner's strategy. The club also pointed out that it remains 12th in terms of average season ticket prices across all clubs in the league.
Price increases are always a balancing act. Personally I expected a rise and deep down knew the reasons. It equates to approximately £3 per game for me and I am fortunate enough to be able to renew. It does not stop me having empathy for those who are not.
Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external
Image source, Getty ImagesTwo Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.
Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.
It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.
Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?
Briony Bragg
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you can't win, don't lose. It was definitely one point gained, rather than two points dropped when Everton came from behind twice at Brentford. The resilience of this team is paying off, with the Toffees still on the hunt for European football.
It comes off the back of a turbulent week for the club with the announcement of increases to season ticket prices. This was met with widespread criticism.
However, it isn't just an Everton problem, it's a football problem with similar protests at our Merseyside neighbours. The game, particularly in the Premier League, doesn't feel geared towards the dedicated season ticket holder, there rain or shine, home and away.
At Everton there's an extremely difficult balance to be met.
On the one hand the new ownership must put the recent past behind them, to move forward and become a more prosperous and stable football club. That inevitably means Everton needs to become a thriving business. If it wants to challenge with the higher echelons of the Premier League, unfortunately that means they need more irregular visitors through the door who will part more freely with their money.
But Everton at its heart has a working-class, loyal fanbase, who live by the motto "nil satis nisi optimum" - i.e. nothing but the best is good enough. This also translates to their utter devotion to this football club.
For many to now feel priced out of a sport they love feels like a punch to the gut, particularly after the part they have played the last few seasons rallying the team out of relegation.
Progress in modern football so often comes at a cost and more often than not, that cost is felt most by those who have given the most for the least.
Everton must not forget its foundation as the people's club.
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator and senior football reporter Ian Dennis speaking on The Commentators' View podcast about protests against ticket-price increases: "We've got to be very, very careful that, and this isn't just at Liverpool, but there are a lot of Premier League clubs that are going down the road of trying to tap in to the tourist fan, those that just come over for the weekend.
"From a commercial point of view, I can see the value of it, but I think from a football point of view, where football matters most, and that comes from the soul, then I think it's really worrying because you can't ignore your loyal match-going fan. You can't show them the sort of like disdain that some owners are looking to try and do and it has a knock-on effect as well with the atmospheres.
"The atmospheres are not as good as they used to be because you're now getting supporters who are just coming in for the experience and don't ignore your loyal, hard-working, hard-paying, match-going supporter that has followed that club with devotion year after year, season after season, through the good times and the bad times they've been there no matter what and I think we can't ignore the supporters.
"That's why when they had the campaign about 20s plenty I'm fully behind the supporters' initiatives to try and say 'no we're the ones that matter', not not the ones who are flying in from abroad for a weekend away with a group of supporters.
"It's the supporters then who will pay the hard money will follow their team home and away, come what may."
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Everton.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
Tom: Brentford played well but the squad is looking a little thin now. We're so close to being a really good team. I hope we can keep hold of Igor Thiago and Michael Kayode and add two or three decent first-team players next season, then I think we'll really be in the European race. This year is probably one season too soon.
Gabe: No more late goals, my heart can't cope.
Nigel: Poor from the Bees. To give possession away needlessly with 90 seconds left was pure, but avoidable, naivety. It happens a lot and we don't learn. We left far too many gaps for Everton to exploit. Their equaliser in the 91st minute was no surprise. Our squad is down to bare bones. Not sure if we have anything left to secure European berth.
Dave: When will the Bees ever learn how to hold on to a lead? Stupid mistakes cost us another game.
Everton fans
Ifan: As my late dad said, "an away draw is always a good result", and I'll always stand by that. Well done Everton!
Paul: Probably a fair result overall. Not Everton's best away performance by any stretch. But spirit to score a late winner shows the fight in the squad.
Colin: Once again, great resilience and determination from the players who respond well to everything David Moyes asks of them. It's such a relief to be in the position we're in today compared to the past few years.
Kenneth: A hard-won point. European football still on.
Chris Wise
Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother Premier League weekend, another eye-catching performance from Everton's James Garner.
The midfielder has really honed his capacity to be a presence between both boxes this season. There's no doubt that he's stepped up a level over the past nine months.
I remember speaking to him for Match of the Day only a few weeks ago before he got his first England call up. He said that if you'd have asked him last summer, he'd have told you that he was nowhere near being in the national team squad.
But Garner is now in the frame to be in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, particularly having impressed during the March internationals when others perhaps didn't.
He's timed this run of form beautifully. But there are midfielders in the England squad that already have their place locked down. Garner's focus for now will be on getting Everton into Europe, and then - all being well - he can start thinking about something more global this summer.
Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator and senior football reporter Ian Dennis speaking on The Commentators' View podcast about protests against ticket-price increases: "We've got to be very, very careful that, and this isn't just at Liverpool, but there are a lot of Premier League clubs that are going down the road of trying to tap in to the tourist fan, those that just come over for the weekend.
"From a commercial point of view, I can see the value of it, but I think from a football point of view, where football matters most, and that comes from the soul, then I think it's really worrying because you can't ignore your loyal match-going fan. You can't show them the sort of like disdain that some owners are looking to try and do and it has a knock-on effect as well with the atmospheres.
"The atmospheres are not as good as they used to be because you're now getting supporters who are just coming in for the experience and don't ignore your loyal, hard-working, hard-paying, match-going supporter that has followed that club with devotion year after year, season after season, through the good times and the bad times they've been there no matter what and I think we can't ignore the supporters.
"That's why when they had the campaign about 20s plenty I'm fully behind the supporters' initiatives to try and say 'no we're the ones that matter', not not the ones who are flying in from abroad for a weekend away with a group of supporters.
"It's the supporters then who will pay the hard money will follow their team home and away, come what may."
Everton manager David Moyes speaking to Sky Sports after his side's draw at Brentford: "We've got to keep going and the players are showing that at the moment. Today was a difficult game which we knew it would be. We were resilient enough to pick up a point in the end.
"The second half especially Brentford got on top but we worked our way back into it. Their second goal was unfortunate from our side. Brentford put us under pressure before we got the goal.
"The players are - not used to it - but away from home we've been resilient and we want to keep that going."
"Better to be in this position - rather that than be fighting round the bottom end of the league. We want the players to enjoy it and see how they do in this position. It's a test for them as well, can we win the games. We only have to win a few in the run in. Another difficult away game today so we'll take the point."
On facing Liverpool next week: "We'll get ready for it. We have to play all the games, six to go and next is Liverpool. It will be a brilliant game for the Evertonians. We'll all be looking forward to it. We're in a much healthier position than we have been for many years so hopefully we can go to the game and do the best we can."
Everton goal-scorer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a bit of a rollercoaster game. We knew it would be a tough game. They have strengths that they play to well. Maybe a draw is a fair result. The fact we came from behind twice shows the mentality of the lads - we never give up, ever. Nice to score a late goal and at least take something away from it."
On his goal: "I saw it go over my head from the cross and I thought let me just get in there in case something comes. I'm happy I scored because I should've scored 20 minutes before which I was disappointed with.
"Cliche as it is, if you don't win try not to lose and we did that. Pleasing to react from going behind twice. That could be a massive point at the end of the season. A massive game next week and let's try and get another good result."
Did early goal shock you? "100% - all week we have been practising dealing with their threat. We didn't start on it and they punished us. We managed to get back into it and that shows it didn't affect us. Heads might have gone down but we've come a long way. Big couple of games to come."
On Beto goal: "Look at Brentford's striker this season, the amount of goals he's scored, and that is unbelievable for a team that is not expected to finish high. His goals are putting them in a position to do well. If our strikers can do that then we know we have a good chance of getting the points."
You can hear more from David Moyes and James Tarkowski on BBC Sounds
Did you know?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has scored 7 goals in the Premier League this season, no Everton player has more.
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been directly involved in 10 goals in the Premier League this season, two more goal involvements than across his three previous seasons in the competition combined.
Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesThis Everton fightback was vintage David Moyes.
They may have shown more pragmatism than their travelling supporters would have preferred in London, but it was a savvy approach against a Brentford side that posed a serious threat on the counter-attack.
Moyes' players rolled up their sleeves and demonstrated the resilience and opportunism required to keep their European hopes alive.
The stakes were high in what felt like a genuine six-pointer, and defeat would have been a setback.
Instead, they remain firmly in the mix, with confidence intact heading into next Sunday's pivotal Merseyside derby.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall embodied that spirit, continuing his emergence as a key figure under Moyes.
The 27-year-old's late equaliser took him to 10 direct goal involvements this season - seven goals and three assists.
That is two more than his previous three campaigns in the competition combined, when he registered three goals and five assists in 72 appearances.
There are still areas for concern, however.
Jordan Pickford needs to rediscover his composure. Since joining Everton in 2017, only Jose Sa has conceded more Premier League penalties than Pickford's six.
The immediate reaction of Jarrad Branthwaite, who berated his goalkeeper following the foul on Kevin Schade to give away the spot-kick, spoke volumes.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Brentford's performance
What did you make of Everton's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Image source, BBC SportBrentford boss Keith Andrews makes two changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Leeds in their last Premier League outing.
Dango Ouattara and Mikkel Damsgaard are both recalled to the starting line-up for the visit of the Merseyside club.
Jordan Henderson and Ethan Pinnock the players to miss out for the Bees.
Brentford XI: Kelleher, Lewis-Potter, Collins, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Damsgaard, Ouattara, Thiago
Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Nelson, Ajer, Donovan, Bentt, Shield, Stephenson, Owen
David Moyes sticks with 10 of the Everton players who were part of the side which claimed a 3-0 home win over Chelsea last time out.
The only change to the side is in defence with Jarrad Branthwaite preferred to Michael Keane, who drops to the bench.
Striker Thierno Barry and Tyrique George are also named among the Everton subs.
Everton XI: Pickford, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Garner, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil, Beto
Subs: Travers, Patterson, Keane, Barry, George, Dibling, Coleman, Rohl, Iroegbunam
Image source, BBC Sport
Now we know that fifth place gets you into next season's Champions League, both of these teams must be thinking they have got a chance.
They are level on 46 points in seventh and eighth, and the way the teams immediately above them, Liverpool and Chelsea, are playing then you don't feel it is beyond Brentford or Everton to catch them.
Who would have thought last summer that there was the possibility of Everton finishing above Liverpool this season? It could happen though, and next weekend's Merseyside derby is going to be very interesting.
Everton have to go to west London first, though. I was horribly wrong when I predicted the reverse of this game at Hill Dickinson Stadium in January. I went for a 1-0 Toffees win and the Bees won 4-2.
This time? It will be a lot closer. Yes, I know I am sitting on the fence but there is a predictions title at stake for me here, so I am going to follow form and say Brentford will get their fourth draw in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Arsenal v Bournemouth (12:30)
Brentford v Everton (15:00) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Burnley v Brighton (15:00) - Listen on Sports Extra 2
Liverpool v Fulham (17:30) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times BST
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Fulham".
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist
Brentford host Everton on Saturday afternoon with both teams targeting European football next season.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford and Everton are currently locked on 46 points in the Premier League table – currently three points off the Champions League place of fifth – with the Bees a place ahead on goal difference in seventh.
Brentford were convincing winners when they travelled to Merseyside in January, running out 4-2 victors to end a six-game winless run against the Toffees in the Premier League.
Keith Andrews side have lost just once in their eight most recent league outings although they've only won one of the past six.
Draws have instead been the order of the day, with Brentford facing the prospect of four in a row for the first time as a Premier League side.
A goal from striker Igor Thiago may be needed if Brentford are to get back to winning ways. He needs just one more to tie the club Premier League record of 20 in a single season, currently held by Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.
Igor Thiago is on course to set a new record for goals scored by a Brentford player in a Premier League campaign
Thiago scored a hat-trick against Everton earlier this season and the superlative form of such a standout striker may be the cause of some envy in the visitor's dugout.
Everton are enjoying a resurgent season of their own as they also target European qualification, although the Toffees have done so largely without the services of a top-level striker.
Thierno Barry has improved over the course of the campaign while Beto's performance in scoring two goals in the win against Chelsea last time out was hailed as his best showing in an Everton shirt by manager David Moyes, but Everton's two centre forwards have still only totalled 12 league goals between them in comparison to Thiago's 19.
Everton have still found a way to shrug off recent relegation battles and financial difficulties to pursue Moyes' goal of a European place - only Arsenal and Manchester United have amassed more points than Everton's 21 since matchday 19.
The 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on 14 March was a first away from home for the Toffees in 2026 but their form on the road has generally been excellent.
They have picked up 41 points in away games since Moyes returned to the club in January 2025, second only to the Gunners, winning four of the past six.
If Everton are to avenge their comprehensive loss to Brentford three months ago, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could once again be key.
Pickford made one of the saves of the season, external to earn Everton their most recent away victory at Newcastle in February and, based on expected goals on target, the 32-year-old has prevented 24 since the start of 2022-23 – nine more than any other Premier League keeper.
Jordan Pickford has prevented more goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper in recent seasons
