It looked as though Everton were going to frustrate the Gunners and battle to a well-earned draw before Arsenal substitute Viktor Gyokeres tapped home in the 89th minute after Jordan Pickford completely misjudged a cross.

The visitors then threw everyone forward as they hunted an equaliser with a stoppage-time corner.

However, with Pickford stranded upfield, Dowman beat two defenders before racing away to roll the ball into the empty net and spark wild scenes inside Emirates Stadium.

Dowman is now the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer (aged 16 years and 73 days), breaking a record set by Everton’s James Vaughan (16y 270d) in 2005.

The Toffees played well and twice went close to opening the scoring in the first half, with Dwight McNeil denied by an acrobatic block by Riccardo Calafiori before the winger hit the post with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

The Gunners thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Kai Havertz tangled with Michael Keane in the area but in the end it did not matter as Arsenal found a way to win with their late goals.

Arsenal are now 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City having played two games more. Pep Guardiola’s side face West Ham at London Stadium later (20:00 GMT kick-off).

Thirteen days after Sesko struck deep in injury time to rescue a point at West Ham, the £73.7m forward applied a clinical first-time finish to a 71st-minute counter-attack that he had started deep in his own half.

Sesko kept motoring after laying a pass off to Matheus Cunha. By the time Cunha had delivered a long pass to Bryan Mbeumo, the eager Sesko had outrun Everton’s defence and was on hand to stroke home his eighth goal of the season.

Remarkably, only two of those goals came under former boss Ruben Amorim, with three coming in Darren Fletcher’s two-game stint in interim charge and three under Carrick, who has now won five of his six games at the helm.

It was a moment of class that was a long time in coming in a match that was low on quality at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Both sides struggled against obdurate defences, having gone almost a fortnight without a game after playing early in the last round of matches, late in this one and with no FA Cup game in between after respective early exits.

In a game of few chances, James Tarkowski cleared off the line in the first half after an effort from Amad was half-saved by Jordan Pickford.

Visiting goalkeeper Senne Lammens denied teenager Harrison Armstrong, who had Everton’s best attempt before Michael Keane let fly with a thunderous long-range effort eight minutes from time. The shot was heading towards the top left corner but Lammens was again alert, with the Belgium international tipping the ball over.

This result means it is now seven home games without a win in all competitions for Everton, who sit ninth.

The 23-year-old forward, still managing a groin injury that kept him out for more than two months, opened the scoring after 21 minutes in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Right-back Malo Gusto, who set up Palmer’s goal, added a second just before half-time.

Everton dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Iliman Ndiaye having two shots on goal and James Garner also going close.

But the aptly nicknamed ‘Cold’ Palmer calmed Chelsea’s nerves after a poor start to December, which included defeats at Leeds and Atalanta and a draw at Bournemouth.

Played in behind Everton’s defence by Gusto, Palmer took a touch before sending goalkeeper Jordan Pickford the wrong way with a finish into the near post.

Momentum then swung Chelsea’s way. Alejandro Garnacho missed several chances, including shooting wide for an open goal after capitalising on substitute Carlos Alcaraz’s poor back pass, moments after injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall came off with an injury against his former club.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Everton’s Jack Grealish also had opportunities before the home side doubled their lead just before the break, with Gusto reacting quickest to turn in Pedro Neto’s cross.

In the second half, Garnacho scooped a close-range shot over before being replaced by Jamie Gittens. Grealish had a header saved and volleyed wide – the latter a chance that should have seen him pull one back – while Ndiaye hit a late shot against the post and Trevoh Chalobah blocked another from Alcaraz inside the box.

Superior finishing proved decisive for Chelsea, who consolidated fourth place in the Premier League, while Everton remain eighth having played a game more than most of their rivals.

The travel-sick visitors had failed to win on the road in the Premier League since April.

But aggressive Newcastle started as they meant to go on at the Hill Dickinson Stadium by scoring the quickest goal of the season so far in the top flight.

Defender Malick Thiaw jumped ahead of Michael Keane to power a header past Jordan Pickford and net his first goal for the club from Lewis Miley’s in-swinging corner.

Though Everton rallied, initially, after going behind after just 55 seconds, the hosts only had themselves to blame for Newcastle’s second goal.

Not only did Everton defenders fail to clear their lines following some pinball inside the box, Pickford failed to keep out Miley’s effort despite it being hit straight at him.

David Moyes, unlike a beaming Howe, looked understandably furious on the touchline, but the Everton manager’s evening got even worse before half-time when Nick Woltemade added a third.

Tino Livramento clipped the ball down the line and Anthony Elanga hooked it across to the unmarked German, who nonchalantly lobbed Pickford from inside the area to score his seventh goal of the season.

Newcastle grabbed a fourth before the hour mark when Lewis Hall’s teasing cross was headed in by Thiaw at the back post.

There was still time for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to pull one back for Everton after the midfielder brilliantly controlled James Tarkowski’s ball over the line before slotting past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

But it was always going to be a mere consolation as Newcastle leapfrogged Everton in the table and moved up to 11th place.

The Blues started brightly but their night seemed to turn sour when the Senegal international saw red for striking Michael Keane in the face on 13 minutes.

The visitors recovered brilliantly and took the lead just shy of the half hour courtesy of a lovely solo effort from Dewsbury-Hall.

United huffed and puffed following the interval but they struggled to make their man advantage count.

The hosts turned the screw late on but Bruno Fernandes fired over and the excellent Jordan Pickford made a superb save to deny Joshua Zirkzee.

The result sees Everton climb up to 11th place spot – above neighbours Liverpool on goal difference – courtesy of just a second win at Old Trafford in 33 league visits.

Man United, who surrendered a five-match unbeaten run on the anniversary of Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge, now sit 10th and are above The Toffees by virtue of goals scored.  

Next up, Everton host Newcastle United on Saturday evening while United visit Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Kudus joined Spurs from West Ham United during the summer transfer window in a £55 million deal, signing a five-year contract with the North London side.

The 25-year-old has wasted little time making an impact, emerging as one of the Premier League’s most creative players this season. He currently tops the assist chart alongside Manchester City’s Jack Grealish with four assists.

“He’s a brilliant player,” Moyes said before Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. “He has so many attributes to his game. He is a great boy to work with. I hugely enjoyed managing him.”

The Scottish coach also praised Kudus’s physicality and tactical versatility, describing them as key components of his success.

“He has great balance, can’t be knocked off the ball, and can play inside or outside,” the Scotsman noted. “He can play several positions if you want him.”

Kudus enjoyed a prolific debut campaign at West Ham, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, before sealing his high-profile switch to Tottenham.

“He’s just finding his form at Tottenham,” Moyes added. “From a distance, he looks like their best buy of the summer.”

Kudus will look to maintain his fine form when Tottenham face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup before hosting Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

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Haaland scored a hat-trick for Norway during the recent international break and his second-half double against the Toffees at Etihad Stadium took his tally to a remarkable 23 goals in only 13 games for club and country this season.

The 25-year-old had been kept quiet in the first half but came alive with his first opportunity of the contest, powerfully heading in from Nico O’Reilly’s cross.

Five minutes later he converted again, sweeping home from Savinho’s cutback, which took a slight deflection off Everton defender James Tarkowski.

Up until that point, it was David Moyes’ side who had been carving out the better opportunities, but the inability to take their chances proved costly.

The visitors were on a high following their last-gasp victory over Crystal Palace before the international break, and had Iliman Ndiaye causing all sorts of problems for the City backline.

The Senegal international, who scored here last season, intercepted Nathan Ake’s poor pass but his low cross towards the back post could not be converted by Beto, while a weaving run and thunderous shot was brilliantly tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

At the other end, Everton’s Jake O’Brien was fortunate not to score an own goal when he inadvertently directed a header against his own crossbar.

City had created half-chances in the first half, with Savinho scuffing straight at Jordan Pickford from close range and seeing another effort batted away by the England international, before Haaland stole the show once again.

Daniel Munoz’s tidy 37th-minute finish put in-form Palace on course to make it three Premier League wins in a row – as well as three straight league wins on the road.

Everton were second best for long spells, with Tyrick Mitchell firing against a post before Munoz scored for the second consecutive game.

Ismaila Sarr picked out the Colombia left-back in space on the right side of the box, with Munoz poking past Jordan Pickford, who was making his 300th Premier League appearance for Everton.

The Toffees, who replaced teenager Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry at the start of the second half, played with a better tempo after half-time.

And they equalised in the 76th minute when Iliman Ndiaye scored from the spot after a clumsy challenge by Maxence Lacroix on substitute Tim Iroegbunam.

The game looked to be heading for a draw when Grealish, who is on loan from Manchester City, scored his first goal in a Toffees shirt after Beto’s header was saved at point-blank range by Dean Henderson.

This was Palace’s first defeat in all competitions since 16 April.

Arne Slot’s side established early control when Ryan Gravenberch’s clever lofted finish from Mohamed Salah’s pass put Liverpool ahead after 10 minutes.

Gravenberch turned provider just before the half-hour mark when he played on Hugo Ekitike to beat Everton keeper Jordan Pickford with a low shot.

Liverpool illustrated the strength of their squad by leaving Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, two summer signings worth a combined total of £241m, on the bench until the second half.

Everton improved as the game went on, pulling a goal back after 58 minutes when Jack Grealish’s cross found Iliman Ndiaye at the far post and he set up Idrissa Gueye for a powerful rising drive that left Liverpool keeper Alisson helpless.

Jack Grealish was given his first start since his loan move from Manchester City and illuminated a historic day for Everton by playing a key role in the goals that set David Moyes’ side on the way to three points.

Grealish’s driven cross was turned in by Iliman Ndiaye after 23 minutes, a difficult close-range finish made to look easy.

It was a strike celebrated wildly by Everton’s fans inside their new home, with Ndiaye achieving the distinction of scoring their last Premier League goal at Goodison Park and their first at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Grealish’s pass then found James Garner for a blockbuster finish from 25 yards seven minutes after the break.

Brighton will feel they were architects of their own downfall as they missed a host of first half chances, with Danny Welbeck turning over from six yards and both Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke striking the woodwork.

Brighton wasted another opportunity to get back into the game after 74 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled Yankuba Minteh’s shot, but Jordan Pickford dived to his left to save Welbeck’s spot-kick.

The 29-year-old becomes Everton’s sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Adam Aznou.

He says talks with Toffees manager David Moyes were decisive in him choosing to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” said the England winger.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go. On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.

“I want to say thank you to the fans for all of the messages I’ve had already. Thank you for all of the love and support. I hope I can repay you now and I’m sure I will.”

Grealish is in line to make his Everton debut in their Premier League opener at Leeds on Monday.

The England playmaker joined City from Aston Villa for what was a British record fee of £100m in August 2021 and has made more than 150 appearances for the club – winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

But he fell out of favour last season, making only seven league starts before being left out of their squad for the Club World Cup in the United States.

A move to Everton gives him the chance to rejuvenate his career and take centre stage at their new stadium.

Grealish will also be aiming to win his place back in the England squad – something Moyes hopes Everton can help him achieve – after saying last summer he was “heartbroken” by being left out of the squad for the 2024 European Championship.

Everton boss Moyes said: “I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.

“We’re all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself.”

According to Sky Sports News, the Toffees are targeting the talented winger, who currently plays for Leicester City.

This pursuit comes after Everton’s unsuccessful attempts to secure Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, despite submitting several offers.

Issahaku, who has four years left on his Leicester contract, initially joined the Foxes from Sporting CP.

Everton had previously tried to sign the former Dreams FC and Steadfast FC forward before his move to Leicester, but the deal ultimately fell through.

The 22-year-old missed a significant part of last season due to a knee injury sustained during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola in November.

Despite this setback, Issahaku has featured in Leicester’s pre-season fixtures and is expected to play a key role as the Foxes aim for promotion from the English Championship this season.

However, his future at King Power Stadium remains uncertain.

Last season, Issahaku made a major impact in the Championship, scoring six goals and providing 13 assists in 40 appearances, demonstrating the creative spark Everton hope to add to their squad.

The fee for the 26-year-old is an initial £24m with a further £3-4m due in add-ons, and he will now finalise personal terms and undergo a medical despite late interest from Fulham.

Dewsbury-Hall had initially been reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge after a season playing in a supporting role as the side won the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Conference League, as well as qualifying for the Champions League.

However, the Blues were open to letting the midfielder go as they look to recoup the vast majority of the £30m it took to prise him from Leicester City in 2024, where he rejoined Enzo Maresca who also left the Foxes to manage Chelsea.

Everton have also been in negotiations with Southampton for winger Tyler Dibling, but are considering walking away if the valuation for the 19-year-old doesn’t drop after a second bid was rejected.

In manager David Moyes’s final press conference at the Premier League Summer Series, he said: “I think there’ll be deals next week. I think we’re getting much closer, but I felt that four or five weeks ago as well.

“Obviously, we’re getting near the tickly bits and we’ve got to get some things done.”

Following the signing of Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax on Sunday, Chelsea are negotiating multiple sales this week.

French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, 21, has agreed to join Burnley, who are also in advanced talks with their Albanian forward Armando Broja, 23.

Borussia Dortmund have also re-opened negotiations for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka as the Blues look to trim their squad.

The 28-year-old England international’s contract will expire on Monday.

Calvert-Lewin joined Everton from Sheffield United for £1.5m in 2016 and has scored 71 goals in 273 games for the Toffees.

“After nine remarkable years I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision – together with my family – to begin a new chapter in my career,” Calvert-Lewin posted on Instagram.

“This isn’t something I chose lightly. Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man.

“I want to express my gratitude to all the managers and coaches I’ve worked with over the years and to my team-mates who have become life-long friends.”

Calvert-Lewin enjoyed his best season in 2020-21 when he scored 16 goals in 33 Premier League games and was part of the England squad that reached the Euros final that summer.

He struggled with injuries and form the following year and last season started just over half of the 26 matches he played.

He has not added to his 11 England caps and four goals since 2021.

Calvert-Lewin added: “The choice to move on was not simply about me, it was a decision with my family and we spent a long time considering together.

“We believe it’s the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.

“I’m deeply proud of what we’ve shared, fighting for this club when it mattered most, scoring big goals in crucial moments, wearing the shirt with commitment and pride.

“My hope is that I leave with your respect, knowing I always sought to uphold the values of this great club.”

In an interview with BBC Sport last month, he said the last three seasons had been the “most difficult” in Everton’s Premier League history but he had “led the line” through it.

It leaves Everton looking for a striker before their first season at their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, although they have been linked with Villarreal’s 22-year-old French forward Thierno Barry.

The Magpies needed to win to guarantee a top-five place but were met by an in-form Jordan Pickford.

The former Sunderland goalkeeper produced fine saves in the first half to keep out efforts from Sandro Tonali and the returning Alexander Isak’s follow-up. Pickford then saved Sven Botman’s effort following a corner.

Eddie Howe had Nick Pope to thank for keeping his side in the game after a wonderful save at full stretch to tip over Carlos Alcaraz’s bullet header before the break.

Howe brought on Joe Willock at the break but it was Everton who looked more threatening. They had a strong penalty appeal when Jack Harrison’s cross hit Tino Livramento’s arm but no spot kick was given.

Pope was called upon again to keep out a low shot from Alcaraz with James Garner heading over from the resulting corner.

David Moyes’ side broke the deadlock through Alcaraz’s brilliant header into the bottom corner from Vitaliy Mykolenko’s cross.

Isak and Fabian Schar spurned chances to score late on but Newcastle finished the season in fifth and qualified for the Champions League on goal difference after Aston Villa lost to Manchester United.

The new arena will be named the Hill Dickinson Stadium after the company, which has its headquarters in the city.

Everton told BBC Sport that the agreement is financially one of the largest stadium naming rights deals in Europe.

They will move to the new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of the 2025-26 season, leaving their current home of Goodison Park.

Everton men’s team will play their final match at their old stadium on Sunday when they host Southampton in the Premier League.

The club’s women’s team will move into Goodison Park as their permanent home from the start of next campaign.​​​​​​​

With a capacity of 52,888, the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will officially open in August.

Test events have already been held at the ground, including the first football match there between the under-18 teams of Everton and Wigan.

Everton said the partnership with Hill Dickinson, which was founded in 1810 – 68 years before the football club – is “a  long-term agreement”.

Hill Dickinson chief executive officer Craig Scott said: ”To put our name to Everton’s new stadium is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“We believe deeply in what this project stands for – a bold, transformational vision for Liverpool and its future.”

The win moves the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and a point ahead of Newcastle, who play Ipswich later on Saturday.

With Forest and Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, Chelsea will hold on to a top-five spot at least until Thursday, when Forest host Brentford.

The crucial three points were sealed by striker Nicolas Jackson, who ended a 13-match goalless run stretching back to December.

He drilled an instinctive 20-yard effort beyond Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner in the 27th minute.

Despite being the better side, Chelsea were unable to kill the game off and, given the tight nature of the race for Champions League football and the Blues’ difficult league fixtures before the end of the season, there were uncomfortable moments when Everton improved in the final quarter.

But the hosts’ keeper Robert Sanchez saved well from both Beto and Dwight McNeil low to his right when needed.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea now play leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, then visit fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle, before hosting Manchester United, and travelling to Forest on the final day.

Everton have only won one of their past nine matches and remain 13th.

An uninspiring contest looked to be heading for a drab draw before being brought to life with six minutes remaining when young full-back Nico O’Reilly stole in from close range to convert Matheus Nunes’ cutback.

Substitute Mateo Kovacic added a second in injury time on the stretch as Pep Guardiola’s men climbed to fourth in the table, four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, who face neighbours Fulham on Sunday.

The first half was often flat and made for a poor spectacle, with Everton’s best chance going the way of centre-back James Tarkowski, who rose highest to James Garner’s corner and flicked a header against the post.

On the stroke of half-time, City could have gone ahead with a rapid break forward but Kevin de Bruyne saw his goalbound strike brilliantly cleared off the line by Jake O’Brien’s diving header.

Savinho’s low drive was kept out by Jordan Pickford’s sharp save in the second period, before City had the final say.

Forest were unable to find a breakthrough and the contest looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but the Blues had other ideas as substitute Dwight McNeil laid a pass through to Doucoure to coolly slot home a late winner.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have delivered a remarkable campaign by climbing to third in the Premier League, but victories for Manchester City and Aston Villa on Saturday moved them into the top five, leaving Forest looking on nervously.

In scorching conditions, the first half was a slow burner with the two sides calling both goalkeepers into making comfortable saves.

James Garner’s low shot and Iliman Ndiaye’s header were kept out by home keeper Matz Sels while at the other end, Jota Silva’s strike on the turn and tame nodded effort were straight at Jordan Pickford.

The sprightly Callum Hudson-Odoi looked to create some magic on the break in the second period but could not get enough curl onto a shot after cutting inside, as his attempt smothered by Pickford.

With time running out, Everton snatched a stunning win on the counter-attack to climb up to 14th and leave Forest shellshocked.

The result means leaders Liverpool require only 11 points from their remaining eight games – starting with Fulham on Sunday – to guarantee themselves the title.

The first half an hour was a tetchy, stop-start affair but Arsenal broke the deadlock on 34 minutes with the first shot on target of the contest as Leandro Trossard drilled home a cool finish on the counter following Raheem Sterling’s pass.

Goalscorer Trossard could have doubled his tally on the stroke of half-time but his toe-poked effort was scrambled away by Jordan Pickford, while Declan Rice’s follow-up was blocked.

Everton equalised when they were awarded a penalty a minute into the second half – Myles Lewis-Skelly bundling over Jack Harrison inside the box and Iliman Ndiaye nervelessly stroking in the spot-kick.

The Toffees were rejuvenated after a poor first half showing and Abdoulaye Doucoure forced David Raya into a sharp save low down while at the other end, Rice’s thunderous free-kick was batted away by England team-mate Pickford.

Neither side were able to find a winning goal as Everton provided a boost to local rivals Liverpool by claiming a point.

Tarkowski caught Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister just below the knee with his studs in the 11th minute of the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The Everton centre-back was shown a yellow card and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided to take no further action after a 10-second review.

But BBC Sport has been told by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) the tackle met the threshold for serious foul play.

The view of PGMOL is that an on-field review should have been recommended to referee Sam Barrott and ultimately the original decision overturned.

Referee Barrott felt the challenge was reckless in real time and VAR Paul Tierney deemed that call not to be a clear and obvious error.

The PGMOL says it wants to operate in a transparent way by admitting mistakes, and felt this incident needed to be addressed immediately, rather than waiting for referees’ chief Howard Webb’s next ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’ appearance.

Everton manager David Moyes admitted Tarkowksi was fortunate to stay on the pitch, and Tarkowski apologised to Mac Allister at full-time.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who will speak to the media on Thursday morning, said “even people who are not liking Liverpool a lot are saying how clear and obvious it was”.

Arne Slot’s men require only 13 points from a possible 24 available to guarantee a deserved and record-equalling 20th top-flight triumph.

The Red were being frustrated by Everton’s backline sitting deep, but claimed the three points courtesy of a moment of magic from Diogo Jota.

The Portugal forward was on the periphery of the game but collected Luis Diaz’s cute backheel before showcasing dancing feet by jinking past challenges and slotting home.

Replays showed Diaz had been standing in an offside position earlier in the build-up to the goal, but he was deemed not to be interfering with play and it was allowed to stand

Before the deadlock was broken, there was another moment of controversy with Everton defender James Tarkowski incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch.

Tarkowski received only a yellow card early on when he won the ball with a sliding challenge but caught Alexis Mac Allister on the knee with his studs with the follow-through.

The video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to upgrade the tackle to a red card and Dominik Szoboszlai curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide, while the in-form Mohamed Salah headed straight at Jordan Pickford at the back post.

Beto had the Liverpool backline rattled and saw a goal ruled out for offside after outmuscling Virgil van Dijk.

The striker got the better of the Reds captain again, but this time could only hit the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.

Liverpool and their supporters looked to up the ante in the second period and Ryan Gravenberch’s stinging drive from range was pushed away by Pickford, but Jota’s 56th-minute strike made the difference.

The sides contested a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday, but the Toffees thought they had a golden chance to win it in injury time when referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty after Ashley Young went down in the box.

There appeared to be a shirt pull by United defender Matthijs de Ligt, with Harry Maguire also in close proximity.

But after being told to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Madley decided to change his original decision.

Moyes said: “If it’s absolutely clear and obvious he should go to the screen, but I didn’t see that – he pulled his jersey.

“I thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should have stuck with it.

“I think for everybody who watches football we are all looking forward to a referee saying ‘no I am sticking to what I have done’. They are being told they are absolutely wrong.

“We have seen very few say ‘it is a penalty kick’. If it was absolutely clear and obvious and it is wrong, then that is what we have got VAR for.”

What happened?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Everton’s Ashley Young previously spent nine years with Manchester United

The scoreline was level and with five minutes added on both sides were aiming to secure victory late on in an enthralling contest.

In the 94th minute, Idrissa Gueye’s thumping drive was pushed back into the danger area by Andre Onana and a combination of Maguire and De Ligt appeared to bring down Young.

Replays showed there was clearly a touch on the veteran full-back, but was there enough contact to send him tumbling to the turf?

The Premier League Match Centre said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.

“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”

Asked about the Premier League’s explanation, Moyes said: “So did they look at the shirt pull? So they only mentioned the bit they needed to and not the shirt pull? It looked to me as though the shirt pull was enough.

“I am not an expert on VAR, I can only tell you what I have seen. You shouldn’t be getting away with pulling jerseys. From the touchline I thought he had gone over somebody’s leg.”

United manager Ruben Amorim added: “I think it was a soft touch from what I saw. I think it was a soft penalty, it was clear.”

Everton fans were left irate by the decision and loudly jeered Madley when he went down the tunnel at full-time.

‘Enough of a tug’ or ‘soft’? Pundits are split

Everton had gone two up in the first half courtesy of goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure, but United hit back in the second period through Bruno Fernandes’ delightful free-kick and Manuel Ugarte’s first goal for the Red Devils.

There was edge-of-the-seat drama late on when it appeared like Everton had the chance to win it from the spot, but that opportunity was snatched away, and a real split emerged between the broadcast pundits on whether a penalty should have been confirmed.

Former Everton winger Theo Walcott said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I totally agree with the referee, I don’t think that was a penalty. Naturally [when you are challenged] you don’t fall that way.”

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones added on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is very, very soft, but Maguire does get a tug of the shirt on Young. He has made a mess of it.”

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said on TNT: “I was fearing the worst when VAR got involved. I was surprised it wasn’t given. The contact is there. When you put your hands on someone you give the referee a decision.”

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist said on TNT: “You know something, I can see why he’s not given it, but I would have given it. I think there’s enough of a tug on him [Ashley Young].”

The Uruguay midfielder rescued a point from a largely inept performance from United by driving home a shot from the edge of the area eight minutes after Bruno Fernandes started the visitors’ fightback at Goodison Park by curling in a free kick.

United had been on course to slip to a third straight loss — and ninth defeat in 15 league matches since Ruben Amorim took charge in November — after first-half goals by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

There was a late scare for United when Everton was awarded a penalty for a foul by Harry Maguire in the third minute of stoppage time but after a video review, the on-field referee changed his initial decision.

Everton faded halfway through the second half and United took advantage, though the comeback will not mask the big problems facing Amorim as he looks to get the fallen English giant up the standings from its current embarrassing position of 15th place.

Everton extended its unbeaten run under David Moyes, who returned for a second spell as manager last month, to six league games.

Ugarte’s last club goal was for Portuguese team Famalicao in February 2021.

Alcaraz, who joined on loan from Flamengo in January, side-footed home from close range with 10 minutes remaining after Will Hughes had diverted Ashley Young’s low drive into his path.

In-form Beto had given the Toffees a first-half lead with a composed finish from Alcaraz’s pass, barely a minute after Ismaila Sarr had struck the underside of the crossbar for Palace.

But the hosts were back on level terms early in the second half, with the video assistant referee (VAR) eventually awarding Jean-Philippe Mateta’s close-range finish after a lengthy check for offside against the Frenchman.

Oliver Glasner’s team were the better side before half-time and briefly thought they had gone in front when Jefferson Lerma sent a header past Jordan Pickford, but Justin Devenny’s corner was ruled to have gone out of play before reaching the midfielder.

Dean Henderson produced a fine one-handed save to keep out Jesper Lindstrom’s effort not long after Mateta’s equaliser, before Beto shot straight at the Palace goalkeeper as Everton sought to regain their advantage.

The visitors finally got the goal they deserved for their second-half display when Alcaraz slotted home to earn Moyes’ side a fourth win in five league matches.

The victory puts Everton level on points with Palace, who remain in 12th because of their superior goal difference.

The clubs have been charged with failing to ensure their players “did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way” after the final whistle.

Liverpool head coach Slot is charged with having acted “in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour” towards referee Michael Oliver and one of his assistants, which led to the Dutchman being red-carded.

Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff, who was also sent off, faces a similar charge for his behaviour both before and after he was dismissed.

The clubs, Slot and Hulshoff have until Wednesday, 19 February to respond to the charges.

The late chaos began after James Tarkowski scored a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser for Everton, which was awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Liverpool were adamant the goal should have been disallowed because of a shove by Toffees striker Beto on Reds defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans at the final whistle before being confronted by Reds midfielder Curtis Jones, with both players sent off for second yellow-card offences.

Slot and Hulshoff were then both shown the red card after approaching Oliver on the pitch.

Reds boss Slot told a news conference on Friday that “emotions got the better of me” and he should have “acted differently”.

The draw moved Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, with neighbours Everton rising to 15th and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Slot is expected to be on the touchline for Liverpool’s Premier League match against Wolves at Anfield on Sunday (14:00 GMT).

The Premier League initially reported on its website that Slot would be banned for two matches “for using offensive, insulting, or abusive language”, but that was later deleted. It is understood human error was to blame for the erroneous post.

Liverpool looked to be heading nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as a fiery encounter entered its final seconds, until Tarkowski lashed home a leveller that was only awarded after video assistant referee (VAR) checks for offside and a foul.

As tempers flared, Abdoulaye Doucoure taunted the Liverpool fans and was confronted by Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones, with players from both sides squaring up before the pair were sent off.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also dismissed after the final whistle, with Liverpool adamant Tarkowski’s leveller should have been ruled out for a shove in the build-up.

It all meant Goodison Park went out with a bang, with both Everton and Liverpool ending on 41 wins apiece in derbies played in this atmospheric old arena.

Everton took the lead after 11 minutes in an emotionally-charged atmosphere when Jarrad Branthwaite’s free-kick caught Liverpool cold and Beto slid a composed finish past Alisson.

Liverpool’s response was instant as Alexis Mac Allister equalised with a glancing header from Mohamed Salah’s cross within five minutes.

In a Goodison cauldron, with temperatures rising by the second, Salah pounced on Branthwaite’s clearance to score with 17 minutes left as Everton cursed their fortunes after Doucoure had missed a glorious headed chance.

Then Goodison Park got one final moment of derby drama that will live long in the memory as Tarkowski lashed home in front of the Gwladys Street end.

Liverpool remain seven points clear at the top of the Premier League – but it was Everton who were more satisfied with the result.

A much-changed Reds side were on the end of an FA Cup upset when they were beaten 1-0 at Plymouth, who are bottom of the Championship, on Sunday.

They now face Everton in the Premier League as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points in what is set to be the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

“We beat Accrington Stanley [in the FA Cup third round] but to lose against Plymouth is, of course, not acceptable. As a team, and I think our fans as well, are disappointed by that result,” said Slot.

“We have to show a different side of us on Wednesday because it was not only the result but the performance was far from what Liverpool standards are as well.”

The match at Everton will be Slot’s first derby as Reds boss but the last at Goodison Park, with Everton moving to their new stadium for next season.

The original game on 7 December was called off because of Storm Darragh amid fears for supporter safety and, while Everton were beaten by Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, they have won their last three league games under manager David Moyes, who replaced Sean Dyche in January.

Slot said he expects a “fantastic atmosphere” but wants his players to “have a cool head but not cool legs” in dealing with the occasion.

“It is not the first time for these players that they are playing in atmospheres like this,” added Slot, who could have right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold available after injury.

“I hope they can focus on what they have to do but it is not only tactical, you also have to stand up those emotions.

“I noticed also in the Plymouth game that the intensity of the tackles, how aggressive they were, it was a quality of their players but it was also definitely because of the emotions in the stadium so we have to be up for that.”

Everton captain James Tarkowski endured a nightmare outing, conceding a penalty and later making a costly error that led to Bournemouth’s second goal.

Semenyo, who had previously inspired Bournemouth’s comeback win at the same venue in August 2024, won and confidently converted a penalty in the 22nd minute to give his side the lead.

The Cherries extended their advantage before halftime when Daniel Jebbison capitalized on Tarkowski’s mistake to slot home their second goal.

Despite expectations for a thrilling contest, no further goals were scored, allowing Bournemouth to seal a comfortable win and advance to the FA Cup fifth round.

Semenyo’s outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award, further highlighting his brilliant form this season.

The Ghana striker has now recorded nine goals and four assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.

In the FA Cup alone, Semenyo has been particularly impressive, tallying two goals and an assist in just two matches.

The match was billed as a crucial bottom-of-the-table meeting but the Toffees’ brilliant first half helped send them 10 points clear of the relegation zone as the Foxes remain in real trouble, one point above the bottom three.

Abdoulaye Doucoure latched on to Jordan Pickford’s punt upfield and slid home a low finish after just 10.18 seconds to give David Moyes’ side a dream start.

The goal was the fastest ever scored by an Everton player and only Shane Long, Philip Billing and Ledley King have netted quicker in the competition.

It got even better for the hosts minutes later, helped by static Leicester defending as Beto ran onto James Tarkowski’s ball through the middle of the park and converted past Mads Hermansen.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men were all over the place and were fortunate not to concede another on 20 minutes when Jake O’Brien poked home at the far post, but the towering defender was flagged offside.

The game was effectively over as a contest before half-time as James Garner’s pass sliced through the Leicester defence and Beto side-footed home a cool finish.

Everton controlled the game in the second half and barely allowed Leicester a sniff, as Iliman Ndiaye slotted home a late fourth for three consecutive victories.

With five minutes of a largely uneventful first half remaining, Brighton defender Joel Veltman appeared to deliberately shepherd the ball out of play with his hand while under pressure from Beto inside the penalty area.

After being invited by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult his pitchside monitor, on-field official Tim Robinson pointed to the spot and Ndiaye sent a low effort into the bottom corner to give Everton the lead.

Brighton created little in the first half but emerged for the second period with greater purpose, Kaoru Mitoma curling a shot wide of the far post before Orel Mangala and Jordan Pickford combined to clear Joao Pedro’s close-range effort behind for a corner.

Half-time substitute Georginio Rutter flashed a shot narrowly wide after shrugging off Jarrad Branthwaite on the edge of the box but there was no way through for the Seagulls as their unbeaten start to 2025 came to an end.

Everton’s second away win of the season lifts them seven points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand, while Brighton remain ninth.

Spurs were shambolic for long periods as they were overrun by a resurgent Everton, who had won only three Premier League matches this season – scoring 15 goals – before this game.

Everton deservedly led 3-0 at the interval, then survived a late Spurs revival as the scoreline was given an appearance that did not reflect the difference between the sides.

With the stakes high for both teams, Everton brushed Spurs aside in the opening period, building the platform for a win that condemned Postecoglou’s men to a seventh defeat in their past 10 league games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended a barren Premier League scoring sequence stretching back to September – and lasting 1,288 minutes – when he turned Archie Gray twice in the area before leaving Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky wrong-footed with a smart finish.

Son Heung-min was denied twice by Jordan Pickford but it was Everton, unrecognisable from the goal-shy team seen previously this season, who added a second on the half-hour when Iliman Ndiaye twisted Radu Dragusin inside out before firing high past Kinsky.

Everton compounded Spurs’ misery in first-half stoppage time when Gray turned into his own net after James Tarkowski’s header took a touch off Calvert-Lewin.

Spurs, as they had to do, improved after the break and pulled a goal back through Dejan Kulusevski’s clever lofted finish with 13 minutes left, with former Everton striker Richarlison increasing the nerves by bundling home in injury time.

But the hosts held out for a deserved win on a day to savour for the returning Moyes.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a potential move to Goodison Park during the January transfer window.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of their match against Tottenham Hotspur, Moyes addressed the rumours, saying, “He’s a player that I know we’ve been looking at, but I couldn’t say for sure that it’s done or even underway unless there’s something happening that I’m unaware of.

“We’re considering several players, and Ernest Nuamah is one of them. Hopefully, we can make some signings before the window closes,” he added,” he added.

Everton’s pursuit of Nuamah underlines their determination to strengthen their squad as they aim to improve their standing in the Premier League.

Nuamah has endured a slow start to the season at Lyon, making only 18 appearances.

However, the Ghana international showcased his potential last season, recording four goals and three assists in 51 appearances for the French side.

Moyes, 61, has returned to the club where he previously oversaw 518 games, winning 218 of them. He also led Everton to the FA Cup final in 2009, while spearheading four of the club’s European campaigns.

The Premier League club have yet to disclose the length of Moyes’ contract at Goodison Park, though widespread reports suggest the former West Ham United boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal.

“It’s great to be back,” Moyes told club media. “I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club.

“I’m excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club.

“Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.”

Executive Chairman Marc Watts added: “We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history.

“With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium.

“We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton.”

The Scot left Goodison Park 12 years ago to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, but he was sacked before his first season was out with the Red Devils seventh in the Premier League table.

After his departure from Old Trafford, he managed Real Sociedad – where he lasted just over a year – and then oversaw Sunderland’s relegation from the top flight in 2017.

He took over at West Ham United midway through the 2017/2018 season, steering the Hammers away from relegation trouble. His short-term contract expired at the end of the campaign, and he was replaced by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

However, Moyes would be reinstalled as head coach at the London Stadium in December 2019, where he would remain in charge for five years, winning the UEFA Europa Conference League – West Ham’s first ever European title.

The season prior, Moyes led the Hammers to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, where they were beaten by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

He left the east Londoners in the summer of 2024, and has not taken a managerial post since.

Announcements regarding Moyes’ backroom coaching team at Everton “will follow in due course”, according to the club.

While a deal is not yet done, and Moyes is not the only candidate, BBC Sport has been told by a well-placed source that the Scot is the frontrunner.

Negotiations over a contract are set to continue on Friday.

Ex-Burnley boss Dyche was dismissed on Thursday with the club 16th in the Premier League, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

They have won just three of 19 games in the league this season.

Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before leaving to take charge of Manchester United, but was sacked after 10 months.

He had two spells at West Ham and guided them to the Europa Conference League title in 2023, but has been out of work since leaving them last season.

Moyes recently said he was not ready to retire from football management but did not want to be in a job “fighting relegation”.

After being appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to football, he said: “Football is in my blood. It has been since I was a boy.

“I love watching football and I have enjoyed my career. If there is another part to it, so be it. But I would only want it to be a good part.

“I wouldn’t want to be coming in and doing something which is very difficult.”

The 53-year-old departs just hours before Everton are due to host League One side Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.

Everton announced their under-18s head coach Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman will take charge of the team for that game.

Four members of Dyche’s coaching staff – Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Howard and Billy Mercer – have also departed.

The Toffees were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday and sit 16th in the Premier League and just one point clear of the relegation zone.

They failed to register a shot on target at Vitality Stadium and have won just three league games from 19 in the league this season.

Dyche, whose contract was due to expire in the summer, succeeded Frank Lampard on 30 January 2023 with Everton in the relegation zone.

The team secured survival with a 1-0 win against Bournemouth on the final day of that season.

He then steered the Toffees to a 15th-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign despite the Merseysiders being deducted eight points for two separate breaches of Premier League financial rules.

The club have looked strong defensively this season, keeping seven clean sheets.

But they have struggled for goals, netting only 15, and are the second-lowest scorers in the league, with only bottom club Southampton having managed fewer.

This is Everton’s last season at their 132-year-old stadium before moving to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The US-based Friedkin Group completed a £400m takeover of the club last month.

If there was any player currently in the Premier League you would hand the ball to for a penalty to win a match, it would be the prolific Norwegian. Not on this occasion, though.

Looking to land a knockout blow, Haaland saw his second-half strike saved by spot-kick expert Jordan Pickford, as Manchester City’s crisis continued with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Etihad Stadium.

“How do you react mentally?” asked boss Pep Guardiola about the penalty miss. “Life is not easy. Sport is not easy. When it happens, it is OK.

“There are still a lot of minutes to play and we had the chances afterwards. We created, incredible how they ran and fight. In some games it was not good but today well played.”

At the full-time whistle, there were a smattering of boos from home supporters at Etihad Stadium and a despondent Haaland ripped off his hair bobble and shirt before heading straight down the tunnel.

As Haaland trudged off out of sight, Guardiola stood motionless on the pitch with the look of a man unable to find answers to their current crisis.

City’s all-conquering side have suffered a remarkable drop-off and now won just once in their last 13 games in all competitions.

In the post-match news conference, the stunned Spaniard was barely audible in the responses to the questions fired his way.

“My body language was positive,” he uttered. “The team played really good. We had I don’t know how many shots. The first half was brilliant.

City have a lengthy injury list, but their downturn has coincided with Haaland’s struggles in front of goal.

The striker made a blistering start to the campaign looked to be on his way to setting more goalscoring records when netting 10 goals in his first five games, but has only managed three in 13 since.

This has largely been down to underperformance on his expected goal (xG) rate, with statistics showing he has scored five fewer goals than he should have done during this recent run.

There is also a stark contrast from his shot conversion rate from the first five games to his last 13, dropping from 38.5% to a lowly 6.4%.

The penalty miss was Haaland’s only shot on target in the contest – but Everton did not set out to pay him extra attention.

Asked if there had been a special plan to handle the frontman, Dyche said: “No. I was asked the other day when playing Chelsea about Cole Palmer and what a great player he is turning out to be.

“We know Haaland is too but I believe in the team. I don’t look at one aspect of it, I look at the team, what they are doing and they have done a good job today.”

‘Poor penalty but good save’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Pickford saved his seventh penalty in the Premier League since joining Everton in 2017

After Toffees forward Iliman Ndiaye had cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s opener, the defining moment came in the second half when Vitalii Mykolenko tripped Savinho in the box.

During the VAR check, it was a battle of the minds with Everton captain Seamus Coleman receiving a yellow card for trying to put off Haaland, who had the ball in his hand.

The booking ultimately appeared to be a well-earned one for the team and Pickford seemed to revel in his big moment, jumping up and down on his line, sticking his tongue out before stooping low to his right to push the ball away.

Pickford has made big penalty saves for England on the international stage and this was seventh spot-kick stop since joining Everton in 2017.

Such is City’s luck at the moment that they managed to recycle the ball and Haaland headed in, but it was ruled out for offside, much to the joy of the travelling supporters.

Haaland had scored 15 of 16 of his previous penalties in the league, with the other hitting the woodwork, while this was the first he had seen saved.

“It is good from the analysts to give him as much benefit of as many penalties as they can,” Dyche said of Pickford’s save. “Credit to him for making the right decision in the spur of the moment.”

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Pickford is good at putting pressure on strikers. Haaland must have felt the pressure there, this place went silent.

“It was a decent save but a really poor penalty. He didn’t whip it around like a left-footer should. A poor penalty, but a good save.”

Ex-England defender Matt Upson added on Amazon Prime: “It was brilliant save from Pickford. He relishes situations like this. He doesn’t make life any easier for the penalty taker.

“But for Haaland to miss that penalty speaks a bit about where the confidence is in this team at the moment.”

Pep Guardiola’s side, once all-conquering, are in unfamiliar territory amid a staggering fall-off, with just one win now in their past 13 games in all competitions.

The result leaves the champions sixth in the table, three points adrift of Nottingham Forest in fourth and 11 behind leaders Liverpool, with those two sides still yet to play on Thursday.

City almost made the perfect start in the third minute but Josko Gvardiol’s towering header cannoned back off the post – and the hosts were rewarded for their dominance shortly after.

They grabbed a deserved opener in the 14th minute as Bernardo Silva latched on to Jeremy Doku’s pass and managed to bobble home a finish into the far corner courtesy of a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite.

It should have been two when Phil Foden fed a pass to the onrushing Silva inside the box, but the Portugal international sent his first-time attempt wide of the post on this occasion.

But with their first clear-cut chance of the game, Everton drew level in the 36th minute through Iliman Ndiaye’s marvellous strike, taking a touch from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross and sending a delightful finish with the outside of his boot into the far corner.

City had the chance to regain the lead seven minutes into the second half when left-back Vitalii Mykolenko chopped down Savinho inside the area, but Pickford dived the right way to keep out Haaland’s spot-kick.

City pushed for the winner but failed to prise open the Everton backline and were left to suffer again, with their last victory coming on 4 December against Forest.

Arne Slot’s side face Tottenham later on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 GMT) but are guaranteed top spot at Christmas no matter the result after Enzo Maresca’s men failed to break down an obdurate Everton backline.

The weather was often dreadful with swirling wind and rain, but it was the visitors who carved out the better chances with Jordan Pickford denying Nicolas Jackson following a sweeping team move and the Senegal international heading against the post from close range.

At the other end, Orel Mangala’s low strike from outside the area was pushed away by Robert Sanchez at full stretch in Everton’s best opening of the first half.

Jack Harrison, who is without a goal or assist in the league this season, should have put the hosts ahead at the start of the second half when he found space in the box, but Sanchez spread himself to keep out a tame effort.

Sean Dyche’s side battled hard and could have won it when the ball dropped nicely for Iliman Ndiaye six yards out, but defender Tosin Adarabioyo made a tremendous block as Chelsea took a disappointing point back home to London.

The British-Iranian businessman’s tenure in charge of the Toffees came to an end on Thursday after he sold his stake in the club to the Friedkin Group in a deal believed to be worth in excess of £400m.

The takeover has prompted Everton fan groups to look forward with “hope and optimism” after a particularly chaotic period under Mosihiri.

The club were beset by a difficult relationship with fans, managerial upheaval, relegation battles, boardroom collapse, Premier League points deductions, and a financial crisis that pushed Everton to the brink.

In an open letter to supporters Moshiri acknowledged a sense of “sorrow when reflecting on the past” after a “challenging” time on Merseyside but said he leaves the club “in a materially better place” than the one he inherited.

“I fully understand that in football that results on the pitch are paramount and over those same years they frankly haven’t been good enough,” Moshiri wrote.

“We brought top-class managers like Carlo Ancelotti to the club and who knows where we might have been had he not been lured back to his first love Real Madrid.”

Moshiri said in the letter that leaving Everton with an “iconic stadium” for “all Evertonians, and the wider community, to enjoy for decades and decades to come” was something he would “feel real pride in”.

“When I purchased the club eight years ago, I knew it needed to be modernised, both with a new stadium and also at the training ground, which has seen much investment,” he added.

“I have met the huge costs of those improvements through my ownership, with season ticket prices remaining pretty well the same across my ownership period.

“I have tried to minimise the impact on fans with our tickets among the most affordable in the Premier League.”

‘Look forward with hope and optimism’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Everton fans protested against Farhad Moshiri’s ownership of the club

A statement from the Everton Fan Advisory Board (Fab) said that apart from the development of the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, the time under Moshiri was a trying one.

“Our recent history has been clouded by relegation battles, financial uncertainty, failed ownership bids, a leadership vacuum and unjust sporting sanctions,” Fab said.

“Today’s announcement provides the opportunity for Evertonians to once again look forward with hope and optimism.”

Fab said it was “encouraged by the aims and ambitions” set out by the Friedkin Group following their takeover.

“Providing clarity and communicating about the road ahead will be essential. We recognise that change will not come overnight,” Fab added.

“We look forward to hearing more about their plans in the coming weeks and months and working alongside them to help achieve their aims of embracing the passion, creativity and values of Evertonians.”

The deal for 99.5% of the club is believed to be worth in excess of £400m and the Toffees become the 10th club in the Premier League under majority American control.

The group reached an agreement with Moshiri on 23 September and were awaiting regulatory approval, with the Premier League having the final say on the deal, and this has now been granted.

The Texas-based group is led by chairman Dan Friedkin and also owns Italian Serie A club Roma. Friedkin has a net worth of £6.16bn, according to Forbes.

Friedkin has been proposed as the chairman of Everton’s board, with Marc Watts serving as executive chairman.

Watts, the president of the Friedkin Group, will be responsible for the management of the club.

Friedkin said in an open letter: “I take immense pride in welcoming one of England’s most historic football clubs to our global family, the Friedkin Group. Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution.

“Whilst we are new to the club, we fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world.

“We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.”

British-Iranian businessman Moshiri first bought a 49.9% stake in Everton in 2016, before increasing his holding to 94.1% in 2022.

Everton, who have not played outside the top flight since 1953–54, have been in the bottom half of the Premier League for the past three seasons – finishing 16th, 17th and 15th – and are at the wrong end again in 16th.

Sean Dyche’s team play second-placed Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday (14:00 GMT) and representatives of the Friedkin Group are expected to be at the game.

What are the details of the deal?

Everton have been acquired by Roundhouse Capital Holdings, an entity within the Friedkin Group, which has bought Moshiri’s 94% stake in the club held through Blue Heaven Holdings. Through further debt-to-equity conversions, Roundhouse will increase its holding in the club to 99.5%.

The Friedkin Group has outlined a vision for a “sustainable and successful” future which includes strengthening the men’s first team, cultivating home-grown players through the academy and a distinct on-pitch and commercial strategy for the women’s team, as well as maximising the potential of the new stadium.

Everton are due to move from their Goodison Park home to a 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock from the beginning of next season.

The Friedkin Group’s chief financial officer Ana Dunkel will join the board, while Colin Chong will remain as interim chief executive until a permanent appointment is made.

Incoming executive chairman Watts said: “Today marks a momentous and proud occasion for the Friedkin Group as we become custodians of this iconic football club. We are committed to leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch.

“Providing immediate financial stability to the club has been a key priority, and we are delighted to have achieved this.

“While restoring Everton to its rightful place in the Premier League table will take time, today is the first step in that journey.”

Watts said the immediate priority is to stabilise Everton and improve performances on the pitch, adding that most of the club’s debt has been turned into equity, repaid or refinanced on more favourable terms.

How did we get here?

The Friedkin Group had agreed a deal in principle to purchase Moshiri’s 94% stake in June.

But talks were called off a month later after the two parties failed to finalise an agreement. That followed Miami-based 777 Partners being unable to a complete a deal earlier this year.

In a complex saga surrounding the takeover, American businessman and Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor was then granted a period of exclusivity in August but could not finalise a deal because Premier League rules prohibit individuals from owning more than one team.

In June, it was said that Friedkin wanted Roma and Everton to sit at the top of “a multi-club model”.

Everton’s appeal to the Friedkin Group was said to be based on the club’s history, fanbase and the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which is close to completion.

The end of Moshiri

The deal brings to a conclusion the turmoil of Moshiri’s reign.

During his tenure, Everton have had eight permanent managers and two caretakers in charge of the team, with the past three seasons all featuring battles against relegation.

Many supporters became deeply unhappy and protested about his ownership, with Moshiri mostly absent from matches at Goodison Park since October 2021.

He and the club were hit hard by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with Everton suspending commercial sponsorships with USM Holdings, which was part-owned by Alisher Usmanov.

The billionaire had his assets frozen by the European Union and Moshiri resigned from his role as chairman in the company when Usmanov was sanctioned.

Moshiri had been looking for a buyer and agreed to sell his stake to 777 Partners in September 2023, but eight months later it missed a deadline to complete the takeover.

Last season, Everton were deducted points twice – amounting to a total of eight after an appeals process – for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

“I truly believe that the transaction with the Friedkin Group is the best outcome for the club and its future success,” said Moshiri.

“Despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop, a significant amount has been achieved over the last couple of years including the delivery of a new sporting department, the stabilisation of our finances and the delivery of our iconic new stadium.

“I now hand over to new owners confident in the outlook for the club and that our incredible fans will see the success on the pitch that they so thoroughly deserve.”

Mikel Arteta’s side remain third, six points behind Liverpool having played a game more than the Reds, who drew 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.

The Gunners had 76% possession and a total of 13 shots, but could not find the breakthrough against an Everton side that defended resolutely and had only two shots in the entire game.

The first of those came in the sixth minute and was arguably the best chance of the contest when Abdoulaye Doucoure was played through, but the Toffees midfielder dallied too long and his strike from an angle was blocked by Gabriel.

The hosts hogged the ball thereafter but found it difficult to create many clear-cut openings, with skipper Martin Odegaard dragging a shot wide and seeing another deflected effort clawed away by Jordan Pickford.

The England number one made a stunning reflex save to deny Bukayo Saka at the start of the second half and though Arsenal huffed and puffed, a winning goal eluded them.

United drew at Ipswich last weekend in Amorim’s first game in charge since replacing interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, before beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.

On Sunday they were initially wasteful in the final third and had little control of the contest, but they were clinical once they broke through with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee both scoring twice.

The hosts attempted to sign visiting defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer and it was a game to forget for the Everton defender, inadvertently contributing to United’s first two goals.

Rashford’s low strike deflected in off the centre-back’s outstretched boot for the opener, before Branthwaite dawdled on the ball allowing Amad Diallo to nip in and feed Bruno Fernandes, who laid it off for Zirkzee to convert.

The Red Devils effectively ended the game as a contest just 20 seconds into the second half when the impressive Diallo slid a pass through to Rashford to convert and Dutchman Zirkzee coolly slotted United’s fourth on 64 minutes to wrap up a comfortable victory.

United have now beaten Everton 42 times in the Premier League, the highest tally of any side against one opponent in the competition.

Goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave the Blues a 2-0 advantage heading into the 87th minute.

However, Antoine Semenyo’s goal prompted a defensive collapse from the hosts, with Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra scoring further goals for the visitors in stoppage time at a stunned Goodison Park.

“We really let ourselves down in front of our fans,” said Coleman.

“We cannot take our foot off the gas at this level. Unfortunately, we did that. We cannot be conceding the goals that we did. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror.”

With Calvert-Lewin and summer signing Iliman Ndiaye impressing, Everton had completely dominated proceedings and spurned numerous chances to be well out of sight before the extraordinary finale.

And while there were joyous scenes among the visiting players and fans, it proved another painful afternoon for the Everton supporters, who have now seen their side concede 10 goals this term and lose their first three top-flight fixtures for the second consecutive season.

“We did so much right until they scored their first goal,” Everton manager Sean Dyche told BBC Match of the Day.

“The game should have been out of sight. We conceded one and then threw it away. I can’t put my finger on it right now. Everyone was looking at someone else to deal with things and that is when there is trouble. You could see the body language change.”

‘I could smell it in the air’

Dyche helped preserve Everton’s Premier League status during the 2022-23 season and guided them to a 15th-placed finish last term in his first full season in charge despite the club being deducted eight points overall for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

He has also had to work with an extremely limited budget and has on occasions appeared exasperated, like on Saturday, which he called the most “frustrating” defeat in his 13 years as a manager.

“I’ve had a few (defeats) down my years as a player, coach, manager, but this is the most frustrating because to dominate a game for so long and come out of it without something at least is incredibly frustrating,” added Dyche.

“We didn’t see the game through, simple as that. It was from not doing the hard yards, win your tackles and your races.

“After the first goal I could smell it in the air. Not necessarily not winning but I could smell it, ‘This ain’t right’, and I’m screaming at them to get their shape and do the ugly side of the game, and we didn’t and they get a win out of nowhere.”

Having restricted Bournemouth to just one shot on target in the first 86 minutes, by full-time, that figure had risen to seven with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford forced into a making a couple of superb saves.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy said: “They were absolutely all over the place [Everton]. The gaps were huge. It was crazy what they were doing.

“There’s a lot involved in that [performance], you lose belief and start doubting what you’re doing and each other but it’s also a lack of leadership and they’ve got experienced players on the pitch.”

Former Brighton forward Glenn Murray added: “Everton will be disappointed. There is a fragility around Goodison Park.”

Everton had deservedly looked on course to register their first win of the season and a first in August for three years.

However, they self-destructed spectacularly as the Cherries scored three times in nine chaotic minutes to spark joyous scenes among visiting players and supporters.

Antoine Semenyo’s tap-in from Dango Ouattara’s left-wing cross to make it 2-1 looked little more than a consolation for the visitors, who trailed to second-half goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Instead it signalled a complete capitulation from the hosts, who were suddenly left holding on for a point when Luis Sinisterra crossed for Cherries captain Lewis Cook to level two minutes into added time.

But the Toffees crumbled to their third consecutive defeat when another delivery, this time from Justin Kluivert on the left, was nodded in by Sinisterra four minutes later to give Bournemouth the sweetest of victories.

The incredible turnaround ensured Everton stay bottom of the table and became the first club in Premier League history to lose a game after having a two-goal advantage in the 87th minute.

The Toffees suffered a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham after losing 3-0 at home to Brighton on the opening day of the season.

When asked about whether his team lacks quality and faces a battle against relegation, Dyche said: “It is a never ending challenge since I’ve been here, but it is all I’ve known at Everton Football Club.”

The Toffees sold Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m in July and brought in defender Jake O’Brien, forward Iliman Ndiaye and midfielder Tim Iroegbunam for around £40m combined, while Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison have joined on loan.

“We’ve sold a player who is growing, maturing, and becoming a very good player and we’ve got to start the process again and make others grow and mature and become good players,” added Dyche.

“It just keeps going and going and going, that’s just the reality of the club. I work on realities and it is difficult at Everton Football Club. There are plenty of myths about it. The latest was a myth about us being in Europe. What happened in the last three seasons? Were we not trying to be in Europe?

“There has to be reality and I’ve tried to bring that and I am still trying to bring that. The fact is, coming here with a tough squad is tough, but that doesn’t mean you accept it. Our responsibility is to take action when it is tough.”

Former Everton winger Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live that Dyche’s side “looked miles away from it, not a lack of effort but a lack of quality”.

And ex-Toffees defender Martin Keown said their next Premier League game at home to Bournemouth is a “must-win”, adding: “Sean Dyche is under real pressure.”

Keown also questioned: “Can he buy players between now and then?”

But when asked, Dyche added: “It’s a weird thing in football when people say: ‘Why don’t you go out and buy someone?’ I’m like: ‘What do you mean? There is no money.’

“It’s as if, as a manager, I don’t want to buy anyone. It’s not that I am a manager wanting to keep the money here. Unless someone tells me something different, this is what we’ve got.”

Everton next face Doncaster in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before hosting Bournemouth.

Dyche said he was down to 14 first-team players before visiting Spurs and does not expect many of those to return before the September international break.

He has urged his team to fight on in difficult circumstances.

“People have been saying is it the ownership, the points [deduction], the injuries, this and that and all the rest of it but we’ve still found our way,” he said.

“And that’s why it is important to stay focused. There’s so much noise and stories every day around Everton and it is tough. It’s not very often about the football. We’ve done it since I’ve been here and we have got to start again.”

The venue has been Everton’s home ground since 1892, but they will move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of next season.

Hurzeler, the Premier League’s youngest ever permanent manager, and his Brighton side were in no mood to provide any sentiment towards the opposition.

Tackles flew in during a thunderous first half in which Everton’s Jack Harrison had an early goal ruled out for offside, while at the other end Joao Pedro rattled the post with a stinging low drive.

The visitors took the lead courtesy of Kaoru Mitoma’s easy finish at the back post following fine work from debutant Yankuba Minteh, who was heavily linked with a move to Everton before joining Brighton this summer.

Everton had a penalty award overturned at the start of the second half despite Lewis Dunk appearing to catch Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as referee Simon Hooper reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Feeling hard done by, Everton were then punished further as Idrissa Gueye misplaced a pass in midfield, allowing the Seagulls to counter, and Danny Welbeck stroked in a lovely finish from the edge of the box.

Everton’s Ashley Young was sent off as the last man for pulling back Japan international Mitoma, and Simon Adingra slid home a third goal late on to inflict a thoroughly desperate opening defeat on the home side.

The Seagulls will face Sean Dyche’s team at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Ahead of the match, Hurzeler confirmed on the club’s website that Lamptey, along with Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson, has returned to training but will not be fit for the game.

“It’s great news, but I’m not sure if they’re ready for the first match,” said the German manager, formerly of FC St. Pauli.

Lamptey, who missed much of last season due to injuries under previous manager Roberto De Zerbi, is anticipated to be a crucial player for Hurzeler this season.

The Ghanaian defender made 19 Premier League appearances last year.

However, Lamptey is expected to be ready for Ghana’s opening two fixtures in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger next month.

The 22-year-old has joined Unai Emery’s squad, ending his two-year stay at Goodison Park.

Onana is the seventh player to join the club this summer, following the likes of Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea through the doors at Villa Park.

Cameron Archer, like Barkley, has also re-joined the club following the terms of his unique deal with Sheffield United, which meant he returned to Villa after The Blades’ relegation last season.

Onana is the second player to join The Villans from Everton in the current transfer window after forward Lewis Dobbin signed for the West Midlands club in June for an undisclosed fee.

Onana is expected to be a replacement for Douglas Luiz, who left the club earlier in the summer to join Italian giants Juventus.

As part of the deal for the Brazilian, 20-year-old Iling-Junior moved in the opposite direction and left the Serie A side for Villa.

During two years on Merseyside, after joining from French outfit LOSC Lille in 2022, Onana made 72 appearances for The Toffees.

The Senegal-born midfielder played a vital role in Everton’s top-flight survival during the 2022/23 season, where they avoided relegation by two points.

Onana represents Belgium at international level and has played 17 times for The Red Devils after making his debut under Roberto Martinez, just two months before he moved to the Premier League.

He played every minute of the nation’s four Euro 2024 matches in Germany this summer before they were eliminated in the last-16 stage by France.

Emery is bolstering his squad ahead of the club’s return to the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s elite club competition.

The Spaniard led Villa to a shock top-four place last campaign, their highest top-flight finish since the 1995/96 season.

The 22-year-old featured for Belgium at Euro 2024 and would have the opportunity to play Champions League football next season.

Onana joined from Lille for £33m in August 2022 and has gone on to make 72 appearances for the Toffees, scoring four goals.

Arsenal held an initial conversation with Onana’s representatives earlier this year but did not follow up on their interest.

It is understood Villa’s fee meets Everton’s valuation of the midfielder, who also had interest from Manchester United.

Senegal-born Onana has also played for Hamburg, having progressed through the ranks at Hoffenheim after starting in Anderlecht’s academy.

Villa have been in the market for a new midfielder after selling Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.35m last month.

They are also expected to complete the return of Jaden Philogene in the coming days after the Hull winger flew back from the Tigers’ training camp in Turkey on Friday.

The England Under-21 winger is due to sign a five-year contract in a move worth about £18m, returning to Villa Park less than 12 months after being sold to the Tigers.

Villa included a matching option in his move last September and snatched him from Ipswich, who had agreed an £18m deal with Hull.