Your Everton morning headlines for Thursday, January 5.
Farhad Moshiri admission comes back to haunt him
One of owner Farhad Moshiri’s admissions in his open letter to Everton supporters last summer was “we have not always spent significant amounts of money wisely” and that was painfully exposed in their first match of 2023 as Brighton & Hove Albion sauntered to a 4-1 victory at Goodison Park with a starting 11 that cost less in its entirety than Alex Iwobi.
The Sussex outfit have never won a major piece of silverware in their entire history but whereas they have now established themselves as an upwardly mobile Premier League force, Everton, nine times champions of England (a total still only bettered by Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal), five times FA Cup winners and proud holders of the most seasons spent in the top flight of English football, find themselves struggling to merely stay in the division.
READ MORE: Farhad Moshiri's Everton admission comes back to haunt him as transfer failings painfully exposed
READ MORE: Everton must make decision on major changes before Manchester United including Jordan Pickford risk
After only surviving what would have been their first relegation in 71 years with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace in their final home match of last term, the Blues finished the campaign with the joint-lowest equivalent points total in their history (39). So far this season, they’re on course for even less with just 15 points accrued from their first 18 matches and the defeat to the Seagulls marked a new low.
Read the full story from Chris Beesley here.
Frank Lampard addresses Everton fans' concerns over transfer backing
Frank Lampard has responded to claims Ellis Simms’ recall is a signal that Everton are operating under financial constraints in the transfer window.
The Blues confirmed on Saturday morning that they had recalled Simms from his successful loan spell at Sunderland. The call was made as Lampard looked to boost his team’s firepower and steer them away from the relegation zone.
The 21-year-old, who came on as a substitute for Everton against Brighton on Tuesday night, scored in Sunderland’s 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic last Thursday to take his tally to seven goals in 14 starts in the Championship this season. Speaking last month, Blues boss Frank Lampard revealed that strengthening his side’s attack is going to be the club's priority during the winter window.
Connor O'Neill has the full story here.
READ NEXT:
- Everton confirm Frank Lampard press conference ahead of Man Utd clash
- Nathan Patterson suffers fresh injury blow as Frank Lampard confirms Everton return timeframe
- Every word of Alan Stubbs said on Everton's board, Frank Lampard, transfers and relegation
Frank Lampard addresses Everton fans' concerns over transfer backing after Ellis Simms recall
- 'I have to be honest' - Roberto de Zerbi makes 'difficult' Everton admission