Everton

LONDON: Tottenham were booed off after their goalless start to the Premier League season stretched to a fourth match following Saturday’s dismal 0-0 draw against Everton.

Roberto De Zerbi’s expensively assembled side have made a wretched opening to the new campaign and they were easily held by Everton in north London.

Tottenham have taken two points from their first four matches, with their only goals this season coming against second tier Charlton in the League Cup.

Their search for a goal takes them to Liverpool in the League Cup third round on Tuesday before they host Aston Villa in the top-flight next weekend.

David Moyes’s Everton remain unbeaten after three draws and a win.

Despite spending more than £300 million ($406 million) on 10 signings since the end of last term, Tottenham’s crisis is mounting after a remarkably bad start.

Defeats against Brentford and Newcastle and a draw against Nottingham Forest left them languishing in the relegation zone ahead of this weekend’s action.

With the spectre of another relegation battle looming after last season’s final-day escape, De Zerbi desperately needed a morale-boosting victory.

Tottenham, who finished 17th for the last two seasons, climbed out of the bottom three after this draw, but it was hardly any reason for celebration.

They had secured their top-flight survival with a win against Everton in north London.

De Zerbi’s men rarely looked like recreating that success, with Savio shooting just wide from Sandro Tonali’s delivery.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a stunner to salvage a draw against Manchester United last weekend, but the Everton midfielder was off-target from the edge of the area this time.

Mateus Fernandes, one of Tottenham’s expensive recruits, fired over from a good position.

Omar Marmoush made a hash of another decent chance, triggering groans of frustration from the disgruntled Tottenham fans.

Everton went close to snatching the lead just before half-time when James Garner’s free-kick was clawed away by Antonin Kinsky.

When Fernandes forced a routine save from Jordan Pickford, Tottenham supporters responded with ironic cheers to mark their team’s first shot on target.

Thierno Barry should have added to the fans’ angst after Tyrique George’s cross picked him out but the Everton striker’s header was parried by Kinsky.

De Zerbi had seen enough of Tottenham’s lethargic performance and sent on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Lucas Bergvall.

Kinsky gifted Everton a golden opportunity when his attempt to find Tonali instead rolled to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but the midfielder took too long to shoot and the chance was gone.

Picked out by Dewsbury-Hall, former Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson blazed over with the goal at his mercy to let his old club off the hook.

Bergvall was denied by Pickford in the closing minutes but it was not long before jeers were cascading down from the stands.

Who: Everton vs Manchester United
What: English Premier League
Where: Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom
When: Sunday, August 6, at 2pm (13:00 GMT).
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from 10:00 GMT ahead of our live coverage.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he is delighted with the additions to his squad despite being outspent by Premier League rivals in the transfer window and short on depth in some areas.

United put their efforts into rebuilding Carrick’s midfield, with Casemiro’s exit and a serious injury to Manuel Ugarte offset by the acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba for a combined 155 million pounds ($210m).

The Red Devils’ fiercest rivals spent almost that budget on a single player as Manchester City broke the British transfer record for Enzo Fernandez, while Liverpool splashed up to 123 million pounds ($166m) on French winger Bradley Barcola.

Despite returning to the Champions League for the first time in three seasons, Carrick hinted at having to work within financial restrictions.

“We went into the window wanting to come out stronger from the group that we had last season. We’ve definitely added to that,” Carrick told a pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.

“I think we’ve done a lot of good work in that respect and the situation is what it is in terms of finances and what we can work with and what we’re trying to get the most of.

“Certainly, the players that we’ve brought into the group I’m absolutely delighted with and I think we’ve done some really good business there.”

What areas of doubt remain for Manchester United?

United look particularly short in defence with the injury-prone Luke Shaw their only senior option at left-back.

“What squad ever is the perfect squad? You’ve always got to find ways of adapting,” Carrick added.

“When you’re building and trying to push to go through a period where we’re trying to get to the top – that’s the ultimate goal – you’ve got to make steps.”

Joshua Zirkzee was among those expected to leave Old Trafford to boost the funds available to Carrick.

Despite interest from Fiorentina and Juventus and a deadline-day approach from Everton, the Netherlands international remains at United, despite limited game time over the past two seasons.

“He wants to play more than he has done and that’s the good competition and healthy competition for places,” said Carrick.

“Josh can do some really, really top things. I’ve seen it myself, and I know he can do that and looking forward to him doing that a little bit more often for us.”

How have Manchester United started the Premier League season?

After a dreadful 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Hull on the opening weekend of the season, United bounced back to thrash Ipswich 5-2 thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick last time out.

Moyes laments Everton’s squad after frustrating transfer window

Everton boss David Moyes conceded ‌he is left with a small squad after a disappointing transfer window in ⁠which key players departed ⁠and a deadline day medical fell through as they tried to sign American striker Folarin Balogun.

Moyes expressed frustration at his club’s close-season business, ⁠revealing they did not want to lose Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye but were powerless when bigger teams like Manchester City look to sign their players.

“Disappointed we didn’t do more business ⁠and disappointed things didn’t go our way in the end. Sometimes in football you have to live with disappointment and we will move on,” Moyes told reporters on Friday.

“I know what I needed and I know what it’s like to build a squad for the Premier League, I know ‌the numbers you need. I’ve been around long enough to know that, but some things went against us and some things could have gone better.

“Ultimately, we didn’t want to lose a lot of the players, but for different reasons that had to happen.”

AS Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro said Everton raised concerns over Balogun’s medical late on deadline day and that the US international pulled out because he was uncomfortable with the doubts ⁠raised by the Merseyside club over his health.

“It wasn’t anybody’s fault. ⁠It happens in football a lot,” Moyes said.

“The player had a problem in his medical and that was simply it. There’s no other story behind it.”

Everton face fans backlash over transfer window business

Everton’s Fans’ Forum also criticised the club’s planning and recruitment after the transfer ⁠window closed, saying supporters deserved answers after another window marked by late activity and a failed pursuit of key targets.

With a thin ⁠squad, Moyes said Everton’s academy players would have to step ⁠up but was unsure if they could fill the gaps.

“Are they ready to make the step up? I’m not sure about that. We will see how that goes, some of them might be pushed in,” Moyes said.

“They’re all ‌going to have to be able to muck in as we’ve got a real small squad now,” he added.

“It gives opportunities to some people who have not had them and sometimes ‌in ‌football you need to be given that chance so that you can show what you can do. Let’s see if some of them can do that.”

What happened the last time Everton faced Manchester United?

Manchester United were 1-0 winners in the last meeting of the sides, which came in a Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium in February.

Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal after 71 minutes.

When did Everton last beat Manchester United?

Everton won 1-0 in the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford last season – despite being reduced to ten men early on.

Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 14th minute, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall came up with what would be the winner on the halfway mark.

Prediction – Everton vs Manchester United

The Opta supercomputer is giving Everton a 38.3 percent chance of winning, while offering United only a 33.3 percent chance of claiming the spoils.

Head-to-head – Everton vs Manchester United

This will be their 216th meeting with United winning 97 times and Everton 69.

The first meeting came in 1892 with Everton winning the English top flight encounter 6-0. The Toffees hit 10 against United that season as they completed the double with a 4-3 away win.

Everton team news

Jack Grealish is set to come straight into the matchday squad following his transfer deadline day loan from Manchester City.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also appear following the September 1 move for the ex-Arsenal defender. Christian Norgaard, another former Gunner, misses out with a knock.

Everton predicted starting lineup

Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry

Manchester United team news

Carlos Baleba’s ankle continues to prevent his United debut. Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt are all injured.

Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Tom Heaton all face late fitness tests.

Manchester United predicted starting lineup

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha

Everton have agreed a deal for Jack Grealish to return to the club on a season-long loan from Manchester City while striker Beto has joined Serie A club Fiorentina in a £14.58m move.

Grealish, 30, is set for a medical at the Toffees, with his switch expected to be completed before Tuesday’s 23:00 BST transfer deadline.

The England international spent a large chunk of last term at Everton under a similar arrangement, scoring twice and providing six assists in 20 appearances, before sustaining a season-ending foot injury in January.

Grealish had been linked with other teams – including his boyhood club Aston Villa – but his preference was to return to Everton, whose chief executive Angus Kinnear told BBC Radio Merseyside had “remained in contact” with the winger.

Everton have also agreed a £3m deal to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from French side Lyon.

The 29-year-old former Arsenal player has won five caps for England and can operate as a full-back or in midfield.

Meanwhile, Scotland right-back Nathan Patterson has completed a permanent move to Serie A club Torino.

Patterson, 24, joined Everton from Rangers in January 2022 and made 68 appearances across all competitions.

Guinea-Bissau international Beto, 28, leaves Everton after 25 goals in 113 appearances since joining from Udinese in 2023.

With Toffees winger Iliman Ndiaye, 26, also expected to complete a £65m switch to City, the Merseyside club want to bolster their attacking options before the deadline.

Everton also look to be closing in on the signing of Monaco and USA forward Folarin Balogun in a £40m deal.

However, their bid to re-sign Brazil striker Richarlison from Tottenham appears to have stalled over personal terms.

Grealish, who joined City from Villa for £100m in August 2021, has made two appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side this season.

He came on as a substitute in their Community Shield defeat by Arsenal before coming off the bench in a win against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener.

Grealish did not figure in a 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Friday.

Talks are under way between the clubs about a deal for the 24-year-old. It is not yet clear whether any transfer would be on loan or a permanent move.

For the second summer running Everton were also seemingly in the running to sign Dutch full-back Kenny Tete, 30.

However, it appears his proposed £9.4m move from Fulham had been dependent upon the Cottagers finding a suitable replacement.

Everton are next in action on Sunday, when they host Manchester United in the Premier League (14:00 BST).

Manchester City have agreed a deal worth up to £65m to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton.

The clubs reached an agreement on a deal worth a guaranteed £60m plus a further £5m in add-ons for the Senegal winger.

The news comes after Tottenham agreed deals with Everton on Friday night for Ndiaye to join the London club, with Richarlison moving the other way in a separate transfer.

However, sources are indicating Richarlison failed to agree personal terms with former club Everton, who are understood to have made a £35m offer for the Brazil forward.

As a result, Tottenham have been unable to proceed with the Ndiaye transfer.

In an emotional statement on Instagram on Monday, Richarlison said: “After everything I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me.

“If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my beloved club.

“My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that.

“Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club’s disposal.”

Tottenham are now in talks to sign Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan.

Manchester City’s deal for Ndiaye comes after an £80m move for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo looked set to collapse on Monday.

City had opened talks with Liverpool over a deal for the Netherlands international, with the Reds willing to sell Gakpo, providing they could sign a replacement.

Liverpool completed the signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain for a fee worth up to £123m on Monday, but want another attacking player if Gakpo were to leave.

The Anfield club had targeted moves for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr but the valuation of both players has proved problematic.

Liverpool are now expected to keep Gakpo, 27, unless they are able to revive a deal for a new winger before Tuesday’s deadline.

Richarlison is one of three players who De Zerbi says have asked to leave Tottenham.

He, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr have all been linked with moves away from Spurs and none were included in De Zerbi’s match squad as Tottenham lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle on Saturday.

Asked about their status after the loss, De Zerbi said: “Richarlison, I don’t know. He said too many times he wants to leave.

“Danso came to me two days ago and he said wants to leave and Pape Sarr the same, but he suffered a small injury, but he is almost ready to train.

“I have very good relationships but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go.”

Spurs have spent more than £300m this summer in an effort to restore their competitive edge following back-to-back 17th-place Premier League finishes.

But Tottenham are bottom of the table, having lost their first two games to Brentford and Newcastle and failing to score a goal.

With 11 goals, Richarlison was Tottenham’s top scorer last season and a key figure during their struggle for Premier League survival, which was secured on the final day.

Earlier in August, De Zerbi said that the Brazilian was uncertain about his future, noting that “it’s not easy to find another striker like Richarlison”.

Last week, Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush joined Spurs on loan and he replaced Richarlison in De Zerbi’s starting XI against Newcastle.

Danso’s first-team opportunities may be limited this season as Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke arrive to challenge for his place in central defence, where Micky van de Ven’s spot was secured by the signing of a new contract and the award of the captaincy.

Sunderland made an offer to take Danso, who has 36 Austria caps, on a season-long loan – but Spurs rejected it.

In midfield, Sarr’s chance to play has been impacted by the arrivals of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali early in the window, as Tottenham kicked off their a statement summer of transfers by breaking their club record fee twice in one week.

The Senegal international, 23, has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including several in the Premier League and Turkish side Besiktas.

However, Juventus are understood to be confident of winning the race for his signature on a loan deal that includes a conditional obligation to buy.

The Friedkin Group, Everton‘s American owners, will be risking the fury of their own fanbase should they agree to the sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.

The notion that Everton could even consider parting with Armstrong sparked an instant reaction of disbelief and anger among supporters, with the teenager regarded as their brightest home-grown prospect for years and a big hope for the future.

As yet, there are no indications that Everton will accept an offer, but Forest’s interest is real, although it would be a real coup should they pull it off.

It would also send out worrying signals about the scale of TFG’s ambitions.

Manager David Moyes has been frustrated by the club’s lack of incoming transfer activity this summer.

Moyes made it abundantly clear after Wednesday’s 4-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Championship side Preston that he wanted reinforcements.

His hope was that TFG would provide backing for further arrivals.

Since then, however, Everton‘s main creator Iliman Ndiaye has been heavily linked with Manchester City, and now Forest are ready to test their resolve over Armstrong.

How Moyes would view, or indeed explain, such a sale, would be intriguing. It would appear totally at odds with his stated intention of building a better squad.

And while Everton and their support may have to accept their prize assets being spirited away by clubs such as Manchester City, the idea that their most promising young player could be taken away by Nottingham Forest – a club they would be expecting to challenge or even surpass – may be harder to stomach.

That is why the manner in which Everton handle Forest’s approach for Armstrong, who has already excelled this season, may be a defining moment for TFG and Moyes.