Everton's summer transfer business MUST start with a top-class goalkeeper
Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles have had their chances - now it's time for Ronald Koeman to act
David Prentice
BY DAVID PRENTICE
1 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
The softly spoken, grey-haired gentleman interviewed in Everton's Fan Zone on Sunday lunchtime bore to mind a retired bank clerk. Three decades ago Jim Arnold was a very fine Everton goalkeeper. Even in his prime he was unprepossessing. But he was enormously effective. And his presence at Goodison Park this weekend was a stark reminder of a time when the Blues boasted two top-class goalkeepers. Arnold was athletic, brave and reliable. He was only ousted from Howard Kendall's starting line up when a youngster called Neville Southall started to fulfill his world class potential. Two excellent goalkeepers was an embarrassment of Everton riches.
The Blues currently boast two goalkeepers capable of occasional brilliance – but neither Joel Robles nor Maarten Stekelenburg are able to sustain that excellence over any sustained period. And that's not the mark of a team which aims for consistency in the Premier League. After a promising spell of shot-stopping Robles lost his place to Dutch international Stekelenburg. But he, too, fails to convince. Early in Everton's collapse to Chelsea he fumbled a routine looking Gary Cahill shot. That hinted at what was to follow. Left utterly helpless by the brilliance of Pedro's rising drive, he was far less convincing with the match clinching second, parrying Eden Hazard's free-kick onto Cahill's knee and past him. And it was game over. Great goalkeepers make the difference between winning and losing, one point or none. And it is why when Everton plan their major summer restructure a top class goalkeeper is imperative, regardless of cost. They think differently abroad – which is why we should be reassured that it's a Dutchman pulling the purse strings. We've highlighted the English mentality towards goalkeepers on these pages before. The worst player picked last on the school yard and plonked between the jumpers, sometimes seems to be a philosophy embraced by managers too. But not in Europe. The millennium was still in its infancy when Juventus splashed out £32m for a goalkeeper from Parma. Never has money been better spent on a goalkeeper.
The British transfer record for a keeper is still only 20m – and that’s Euros not pounds. David de Gea’s transfer to Manchester United is still the only time English football has broken the £10m barrier for a number one. Cutting back on keepers is clearly a false economy. Critics scoffed in 1977 when Brian Clough paid a then world record transfer fee for Peter Shilton – and paid him a British record breaking salary. Clough was ahead of his time, and within two years Shilton had a League title medal and two European Cup winners’ medals in his safe grasp. Everton had long been linked with Shilton. But even the Mersey Millionaires baulked at paying such a huge fee. They spent £150,000 instead on the promising, but unproven George Wood, and finished third behind Forest and a Liverpool team buttressed by the formidable Ray Clemence, snapped up cheaply from Scunthorpe. The Toffees scored more goals than anybody else that season. But Liverpool leaked 11 goals fewer, Forest an astonishing 21 goals less. The problem with goalkeepers has always been in quantifying their worth. When Blackburn paid a British record £3.6m for Alan Shearer in the summer of 1992, they were able to justify that exorbitant outlay by pointing to 112 goals in 138 games. It is impossible to say exactly how many goals a good keeper can save his side. But Tim Flowers was probably just as influential on that Blackburn side which won the title. It was impossible to work out how many goals the £32.6m Buffon saved Juventus in 2001, but they clinched the Serie A title by a point, then cantered to another title the following season. The Serie A runners-up? An Inter Milan side with £18m Francesco Toldo between the posts. The role of goalkeeper is the most specialised – and the most crucial to any football team. And it is one Everton need to pay particular attention to this summer.

Liverpool and Everton to go head to head in the boxing ring this summer?
David Thompson and Francis Jeffers are being lined up to fight at city centre boxing event organised by Derry Mathews this summer
BY NEIL JONES
1 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Liverpool and Everton are set to go toe-to-toe this summer – in the boxing ring. Former Reds midfielder David Thompson and ex-Blues striker Francis Jeffers are being lined up for a bout in the city, as part of a charity event organised by former world title contender Derry Mathews. Mathews, who recently called time on his own 52-fight professional career, announced the news on Twitter on Monday morning. The white collar event will be held at Camp and Furnace on Greenland Street on July 2, with further fights to be confirmed in due course. Local DJs Lee Butler and Simon Ross will host. Thompson, 39, made 56 appearances for Liverpool having come through the ranks at Anfield. The tenacious midfielder also played for Coventry, Blackburn, Wigan, Portsmouth and Bolton during an 11-year career. Jeffers, 36, scored 22 goals in 82 games across two spells with Everton. The striker also played for Arsenal, Charlton, Rangers and Blackburn, among others, and scored on his one and only appearance for England in 2003.

Ex Everton star Tim Cahill and wife Rebekah at glitzy Aussie football awards ceremony
Former Everton hero Cahill won the A-League Goal of the Season
BY GREG O’KEEFFE
1 MAY 201  Liverpool Echo
Tim Cahill of Melbourne City FC and wife Rebekah Cahill arrive ahead of the FFA Dolan Warren Awards at The Star on May 1, 2017 in Sydney1 of 8 Tim Cahill arrives ahead of the FFA Dolan Warren Awards at The Star on May 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.2 of 8

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku chats with Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo in tunnel
The Everton striker has refused to sign a new deal and is rumoured to want Chelsea return
BYGREG O’KEEFFE
1 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
It could be an ordinary conversation between two former colleagues and friends. It's highly unlikely to have consisted of a transfer discussion. But it's the context of the warm chat between Romelu Lukaku and Chelsea's Director of Football Michael Emenalo which has inevitably got some Blues wondering. The pair were spotted catching up in the mixed zone area after Blues 3-0 defeat by title-chasing Chelsea at Goodison Park yesterday. They were filmed by French journalist Claude Atcheba who later tweeted 'Everton's fan shortly I will have bad news for you #Everton #Lukaku #chelsea'. He followed up that message by claiming Goodison officials did not want him to release the footage. 'Lukaku news is coming #Everton is working hard to stop me sharing some footage with you. Stay Tuned' he added. Before finally 'Everton fans look away'. Well-connected Belgian reporter Kristof Terreur tweeted 'No, they didn't agree personal terms in the tunnel. Chat among friends. Lukaku is a Chelsea target, but no talks on going atm.' Emenalo has always been an enthusiastic supporter of Lukaku, and was believed to have disagreed with Jose Mourinho's decision to sell him to Everton in 2014. So with rumours swirling that the Premier League's top goalscorer wants to re-join the Londoners in the summer, the timing of the chat will raise eyebrows in some quarters. Lukaku has refused to sign a new contract, and last month the ECHO revealed that the Toffees have slapped a £100m price tag on his head to deter Chelsea and others. It is understood that Everton are resolute and will not be pressured into selling a player who is crucial to Ronald Koeman's plans on anything but their own terms.

'Everton trip was scary' admits Chelsea's Eden Hazard after win that boosted title hopes
The Chelsea playmaker revealed it was difficult being man marked by Idrissa Gueye
BY GREG O’KEEFFE
1 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Eden Hazard admits he was scared that Everton could have dented Chelsea's title hopes at Goodison Park on Sunday. The Blues had lost just once in the Premier League all season before Antonio Conte's men inflicted only a second defeat on them yesterday. Ronald Koeman asked midfielder Idrissa Gueye to man-mark Chelsea's mercurial playmaker, a task which the Senegal international fulfilled impressively. But it wasn't enough to stop Chelsea, as the Londoners ran out 3-0 winners and edged closer to the top flight crown. Stekelenburg drops a clanger, Davies shines but Lukaku underwhelms
"It was a great game and a great achievement," Hazard said. "It's always difficult to go to Everton and play a great game like we did. "We controlled it from the start until the end which is good for us. "It's this kind of game where beforehand you can be scared because when they play at home they are very strong and anything can happen. "But we dealt with it and we played a fantastic game, we deserved to win. Ronald Koeman asked Idrissa Gueye to man mark Chelsea's Eden Hazard
"Sometimes it's difficult because the guy (Gueye) is everywhere with me, but when it's not me somebody else can make the difference, like Pedro did." The trip to Goodison was arguably Chelsea's hardest fixture of their run-in, with only games against Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Watford and West Bromwich Albion remaining.

Everton boss Koeman praises hard-running display of Enner Valencia against Chelsea
The Everton manager felt there were some positives from Sunday's 3-0 defeat
BY GREG O’KEEFFE
1 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman has praised the performance of Enner Valencia after the loan forward was handed a rare start for the defeat by Chelsea. Valencia was in the starting XI for just the fourth time this season, partnering Romelu Lukaku in a re-jigged line-up. And although the Blues were unable to really test Thibaut Courtois, Koeman said he was pleased with elements of the West Ham loanee's display. “He did well,” he said. “He was running, making it really difficult and winning headers.  “Maybe he needed a little bit more control in his last pass to Romelu (Lukaku), then we could have created a bigger chance than we did.  “But he was dangerous, he was working hard, he was part of the team and that’s good.” Koeman believes Everton can learn from seeing their club record Premier League home run ended on Sunday. They were hunting a ninth straight Goodison before Pedro finally broke the deadlock with a stunning 25-yard drive, followed by goals from Gary Cahill and sub Willian.  “We had a good run at home,” said Koeman. “We did well and scored a lot of goals but we saw today that teams like Chelsea are difficult to beat because they have high quality players and the experience they showed after going 1-0 up to go and kill the game. "That is the direction we want to go in. “Our young players will have learned a lot also, much more than I can coach them."

Romelu Lukaku made it easy for Chelsea's defenders and harder for himself'
The former Everton defender on Lukaku, perspective, Mirallas' future and a busy summer
BY MICHAEL BALL
1 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Not for the first time I felt Romelu Lukaku didn't deliver against a top side on Sunday. He did well against Chelsea in the FA Cup last season but I read a stat which shows he struggles to score against them and others in the League. In his last 33 appearances against the current top six, he's only scored four times. We are heavily reliant on him though and if he isn't firing we struggle in front of goal. If you stop Lukaku, to all intents and purposes, you stop Everton winning football matches. When he has one of his tired-looking displays it takes a heavy toll on us. I was hoping he's turn it on against Chelsea to prove again why they made a mistake selling him, nevermind all the speculation about his future. It's true that he didn't get much service but then he didn't put himself in the right positions to make things happen.
Rom's starting position when Everton were trying to counter attack Chelsea was awful. Instead of going out wide in areas of space and looking to bend his run and cut inside, he just plonked himself in the middle of two of their centre backs. He made it easy for David Luiz who bossed him all day. By staying in the middle Rom was making it hard for himself and hard for our midfielders to get any decent balls to him. There were other times when Leighton Baines was looking to put balls idown nto the channels for him, and Lukaku would be on the other side of the pitch! It played into Chelsea's hands. Koeman will ask the board to help him emulate Chelsea Our form at Goodison Park has been a massive positive this season. We've beaten Arsenal and Manchester City while taking points from Tottenham and Manchester United. But on Sunday Chelsea looked like the only team trying to win it. We gave them too much space to do what they wanted to do, and they've got quality in every position. Thibaut Courtois had a very quiet afternoon. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up when you lose to a side like Chelsea but we didn't even trouble them and that was disappointing. Not having Morgan Schneiderlin available was a big blow but he's one player. Overall the game showed how far we still have to go. Ronald Koeman will be questioning the board telling them he needs players in the mould of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Pedro. But as much as we were frustrated, it's also worth keeping in perspective. We're a long way ahead of the side in eight but we're a long way off Tottenham and Chelsea too. Expectations have risen this season, and we;re going in the right direction. Koeman will ask Farhad Moshiri and the board to help him emulate sides like Chelsea as we move forward. Is this the end for Mirallas? A penny for Kevin Mirallas' thoughts on Sunday? Koeman started the 20-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a striker playing out of position, ahead of him. I think that will tell Mirallas a lot. He has his supporters among the fan base and on his day he can be a threat, but Koeman might just have washed his hands of him. As for Calvert-Lewin it was the toughest of tests against Chelsea and it was hard for him. When the manager gives you the opportunity you've got to try and seize it. I'm not convinced he grasped it with both hands but you can't knock him too much.
Busy Summer Ahead
It will be a challenging summer for Everton;s players with the Europa League on the horizon. A shorter break and not many friendlies before the competitive action starts with the qualifying legs. I remember it when I was at Manchester City. It's a fast turnaround and you've got to be ready for it.
Hopefully Koeman will not risk throwing it away like West Ham did last summer. He's going to need his squad strengthened early so he has the players to field a competitive team early-doors. It will mean a lot of work in the transfer market and Gylfi Sigurdsson's name has been mentioned. Our set pieces have been that poor for so long that he'd improve us in that department straight away.

Ashley Williams on Bizarre Baines, kindly Coleman and being mates with Everton's forgotten man
The Everton defender has become a popular figure in the Blues dressing room
BY GREG O’KEEFFE
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ashley Williams has given an amusing insight into the Everton dressing room and revealed Leighton Baines makes him laugh with his "odd" sense of humour. Williams, 32, joined the Toffees in the summer for a £12m fee from Swansea City. He has become an ever-present under Ronald Koeman, and has spoken to the Premier League's media team to discuss his team-mates. In the brief clip he said he was friendliest with a trio of his fellow players - but primarily Aaron Lennon; the midfielder who has become an increasingly peripheral figure in recent months after failing to feature regularly and being hampered by injury. "I would say I've got three best mates," he said. "There's Aaron Lennon, because I knew him before I signed, and I've got close to Mason Holgate, he plays my position and we've grown close, "Then Seamus Coleman was someone who really looked after me when I first signed." Asked to name his funniest team-mate he replied: “I’d have to say Leighton Baines. “Because, he’s a little bit odd. He sits next to me in the dressing room, so we are always talking and he’s always coming out with really bizarre things that crack me up.”

Everton transfer rumours - AC Milan launch bid to sign Gerard Deulofeu
A round-up of transfer rumours and speculation from around the web
BY JOE RIMMER
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
AC Milan have opened talks with Everton and Barcelona in order to sign Gerard Deulofeu on a permanent deal - according to reports in Italy. Now, that's not exactly unexpected. Deulofeu has been excellent for Milan since moving there on loan in January. The move didn't include a clause to allow Milan to sign the Spaniard at the end of the deal, so it's no surprise that they want to now start discussing a permanent transfer. Everton summer transfer window - which players should stay or go? But why would they need to speak to Barcelona about a move? Italian newspapers seem convinced that the Catalan giants will have a big say on the move, but unless they simply want to re-sign Deulofeu, there isn't a lot they can do.

'Everton don't want me' - Aiden McGeady repeats Goodison exit plea
Winger named Preston North End player of the year
BY PHIL KIRKBRIDE
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Aiden McGeady has repeated his belief that his Everton career is all but over saying: “They don’t want me”. The Republic of Ireland winger is on a season-long loan at Preston North End and scooped their Player of the Year award. McGeady wants to return to Deepdale next season but admits that with a year still to run on his Goodison contract, any move is out of his hands. “I’ve said it before, I would like to stay here,” McGeady told the Lancashire Post. Campaign started to help support relaunch of Rhys Jones community centre
“Ultimately, I’m probably not going to have the final say but I’m in a strong position with Everton because I know they don’t want me.  “Whether it is going to be another loan or Everton want to sell me, I don’t really know. “I will probably find that out in the summer. “I would like to come back to Preston – if it was between here and another team who were going to pay me slightly more money, I would rather come here. “I know the set-up, I know the lads and manager.”

Everton made massive mistake in man-marking Eden Hazard, says pundit
Idrissa Gueye was tasked with snuffing out threat of Chelsea playmaker
BY PHIL KIRKBRIDE
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton made a huge mistake in man-marking Eden Hazard at Goodison, according to former Blue Pat Nevin. Idrissa Gueye was asked to shadow the Belgian playmaker on Sunday and though he largely nullified Hazard’s threat Chelsea still won 3-0. “In the last week however Eden was rested for part of the game v Spurs and we still won. He still scored when he came on. Against Southampton he played as an auxiliary striker with Diego Costa and they were dynamite together. “Everton tried the shadowplay on Eden, but it just left room for others. It is like putting your finger in a hole in the proverbial dyke, the pressure will just be released somewhere else. You ignore Willian, Cesc, Pedro et al at your peril. “It allowed a bit more space near the end for Pedro to jink into and smash an unstoppable shot into the top corner past Maarten Stekelenberg.And Nevin reckons that by sticking to Hazard so closely they left themselves exposed to the league leader’s other attacking threats. “After Man United and Jose’s elaborate plan it was generally thought, stop Eden and you might just stop Chelsea,” Nevin said. “After that it was never in doubt, Everton had to open up and the gaps were certain to appear for everyone in black when the damn had been breached. “Willian and Cesc gleefully crowned the display after Gary Cahill had relieved the residual pressure with yet another important goal. 
"3-0 might look easy in the next day’s newspapers and even on the highlights shows, but it certainly wasn’t, hence the celebrations after the game.”

Everton given hope after Kasper Dolberg's latest comments on future
Everton have been tracking Danish talent Dolberg but feared missing out
BY PHIL KIRKBRIDE
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton have been placed on red alert after Kasper Dolberg insists he would reject any approach from the Premier League elite. The Danish wonderkid has scored 18 goals in 37 appearances for Ajax this season and it being tracked by some of Europe’s big-hitters. Everton have been scouting the 19-year-old but feared they would struggle to compete with clubs able to offer Champions League football. But in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine Dolberg said he would rebuff advances from such clubs at this stage of his career. Asked about being linked with such clubs as Manchester City or Manchester United, the teenage forward said: “No, it’s too big a step to go to City or United now.  “It’s important to keep on playing, as I don’t knonw what could happen in the future. “I have not got a dream league. It’s important which kind of club is keen - in terms of playing style and also how it is at the club. “You look at the whole package.” Everton rate Dolberg highly but know it would require them to break their club transfer record to land one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin in line for new Everton deal
Blues striker to be rewarded on back of successful first season at Goodison
BY PHIL KIRKBRIDE
2 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is closing in on a new long-term contract at Everton. The 20-year-old will be rewarded with an improved five-year deal as reward for his progression into the first-team this season. Calvert-Lewin was a deadline day signing for the Blues last summer in a deal worth £1.5m and linked up with the under-23s. But the former Sheffield United striker made his senior debut at Goodison in December against Arsenal and has gone onto make 10 appearances for Ronald Koeman’s side. The England u-20 international missed two months of the season after picking up an ankle injury during January’s win over Southampton but returned against West Brom in March before starting the next game with Hull City where he opened the scoring in a 4-0 win. Calvert-Lewin has played a key role in Everton’s u-23s Premier League 2 title win, playing nine times and scoring four goals - including the winner against Manchester City in November.

New Everton stadium: Which supporter features should Bramley Moore Dock have?
Tottenham will soon boast a Tunnel Club, microbrewery, Sky Lounge, heated seats and USB ports - should Blues follow suit?
BY CHRIS BEESLEY
2 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
As Everton press ahead with their exciting plans for a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock , Tottenham Hotspur's ongoing project next to White Hart Lane is seen as the benchmark the Blues must look to beat when it comes to a Premier League stadium for the third decade of the 21 century and beyond. Unlike West Ham United's much-criticised new home at the refurbished Olympic Stadium which for all its grandeur as a world-class athletics venue, has failed to capture the imagination of many fans as a footballing arena, Spurs, who also bid to move into the site at Stratford but missed out and have subsequently redeveloped by their existing home, are determined to build something special. Tottenham will temporarily relocate to Wembley next season before their new home is ready but from 2018/19 they are hoping to move into the £750million arena which will hold 61,000 – conveniently a thousand more seats than their great rivals Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and West Ham's pad to make it the biggest club ground in the capital. The Mirror have been examining the most intriguing and bizarre features Spurs' new stadium will boast – including a cheese room – but while that's food for thought for Evertonians, just how many of these ideas would be welcome additions to help catapult the Blues back to the game's top table and which are London fads that have no place at Goodison Park's successor?
You decide...
Cheese Room
Yes, you read that correctly, a cheese room at the match.
Tottenham's exclusive 'H Club' will include an option for clients to select their own specially sourced half-time cheeses. It's unlikely to be Babybel on the menu either as members need to fork out a cool £30,000 to join (£15,000 per head with two tickets needed to be purchased).
Perhaps Ronald Koeman could pose for selfies with supporters while holding giant slabs of Edam?
Would you want a Cheese Room at Everton's new stadium?
Yes: Not to be sniffed at
No: Cheesed off
Tunnel Club
Once they've handed over half the cost of Seamus Coleman , those 'H Club' patrons will also be able to watch the players congregate in the tunnel as the prepare to head out for kick-off behind a giant glass wall. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has already cast his doubts over what he describes as a “dangerous” idea because “there have been a lot of things in the tunnel”. Just what goes on in this inner sanctum though? As long as you don't mind watching a few fellas shouting, swearing and scratching while jumping up and down on your spot you'll surely be able to stand it before the strains of Z Cars blare out.
Would you like an option to see the Everton players in the tunnel?
Yes: Tunnel of love
No: Lack of tunnel vision
Microbrewery
Tottenham's new ground will include the world’s first stadium microbrewery with a beer delivery system pouring up to 10,000 pints a minute. The Bramley Moore pub.
Fancy a bit of that Blues? The Bramley Moore pub has already been visited by stadium architect Dan Meis with the American particularly taken by their dartboard.
Would you like a microbrewery in the ground?
Yes: Come on you Brews
No: Beyond the ale
In-house bakery
Spurs will have their own in-house bakery which will "produce artisan breads and pastries for every food outlet in the stadium.” Perhaps some kind of machine that produces Scouse on a mass scale might be more apt or even a Toffee shop?
Would you like an in-house bakery at Everton's new stadium?
Yes: Upper crust
No: Blues are partisan not artisan
Sky Lounge
From about £230 a game, Tottenham will have two 'Sky Lounges' running nine floors above on each side of the pitch offering “panoramic views both within and outside the stadium.”
With its unique waterside location on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey, this could be an element that Everton have the edge on Spurs.
The Lane is nine miles north of the London eye so it's not like you're going to get majestic vistas of the capital's great landmarks by the Thames. In contrast, a similar venture at Bramley Moore Dock would be in close proximity to all of Liverpool's most spectacular sights such as the Three Graces and cathedrals plus the Wirral landscape across the water and the river itself.

Everton to bring Liverpool city centre to a standstill for The Dixies
Everton to host blue carpet event at The Dixies
By David Prentice
2 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton will bring part of Liverpool City Centre to a standstill next Tuesday night, as the club hosts its new-look end of season awards, ‘The Dixies’.  The prestigious event at The Philharmonic Hall, which will be attended by manager Ronald Koeman and his entire squad, will include a ‘premier style’ blue carpet where supporters can enjoy meet and greets with Blues stars.  The VIP blue carpet, running between 6:30pm – 7:30pm, will mean that a road closure will take place from 5am for 24-hours on Hope Street from Caledonia Street to Myrtle Street junction. Caledonia Street, at the junction with Hope Street will also be closed.  Large screens will be located next to a stage, ensuring that no one will miss the arrival of Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku, Phil Jagielka and the rest of the first team squad.  David Unsworth’s table topping Premier League 2 Champions and champion boxer Tony Bellew will also walking the blue carpet.
On the stage, attendees will be able to enjoy a live show, hosted by Radio Merseyside’s Giulia Bould, including player and guest interviews.  Graeme Sharp, Everton Ambassador, said: “We’re really looking forward to the inaugural Dixies at the Royal Philharmonic next week, it’s going to be an unforgettable evening which brings together more Blues than ever before.  “The blue carpet is sure to be a special occasion and I know that the players are looking forward to seeing the supporters who have turned up for them throughout the season. We hope that you can come down and join us for what should the night of the year!”  The revamped awards, which are being hosted by BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman, takes place at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool on Tuesday 9 May and tickets are available at a variety of affordable prices – but are selling fast!  Presentations on the night will include Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Player’s Player of the Season, Under-23 Player of Season, the Chairman’s Blueblood Award, the Howard Kendall Award and the Fan of the Year. A former player will also be inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame and named as the latest Everton Giant.
Tickets, available from just £30, are being sold by the Royal Philharmonic, Liverpool. Call 0151 709 3789 to book.

Aaron Lennon: Everton winger receives treatment for stress-related illness
• Police assisted Lennon after concerns for player’s welfare
• ‘Get well soon and stay strong,’ say Lennon’s representatives
Wednesday 3 May 2017 Guardian
Everton’s Aaron Lennon is receiving treatment for a stress-related illness, the club have confirmed. The winger was taken to hospital on Sunday to be assessed after police officers assisted him on a busy road in Salford.  Greater Manchester police said: “Police were called at around 4.35pm to reports of a concern for the welfare of a man on Eccles Old Road. Officers attended and a 30-year-old man was detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act and was taken to hospital for assessment.”
Everton said in a statement: “Aaron Lennon is receiving care and treatment for a stress-related illness. The club is supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy at this time.”
A further statement on Wednesday morning added: “Thank you for all the kind messages for Aaron. We are supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy at this time.”  The player’s representatives, Base Soccer Agency, tweeted: “Everyone at Base Soccer sends their support to AaronLennon12 – get well soon and stay strong.”  Lennon, who last played for Everton against Middlesbrough in a goalless draw on 11 February, joined the club from Tottenham for £4m in September 2015. The Everton manager, Ronald Koeman, spoke about Lennon on 6 April when he said “he is not in a physical way to be part of the team”.  The former England striker Stan Collymore, who has suffered from depression, voiced his support for Lennon. “Thoughts and love with Aaron Lennon and his family right now,” tweeted Collymore. “I know that place, and I know he’ll be fine with good support from us all.”  The former chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Clark Carlisle, also offered his support to the his former Leeds team-mate. Carlisle has suffered from mental health issues himself and attempted suicide in 2014.  “Love and blessings to my old teammate Aaron Lennon,” he tweeted. “Nail this now and there’s plenty more left in the tank my friend.”  Lennon, who made his Premier League debut for Leeds aged 16 in August 2003, has won 21 England caps, the last in 2013.

Everton in hunt for Newcastle United defender Lewis Gibson
Blues looking to bolster their Academy ranks with players aged 16-18
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton are leading the race to sign young Newcastle United defender Lewis Gibson.
The Blues want to add the 16-year-old England youth international to their Academy ranks as part of an expected injection of new players this summer.  Everton are having to fight off serious competition from Celtic while Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Southampton have also been tracking the left-footed teenager.  Director of football Steve Walsh is overseeing an aggressive recruitment drive of players aged between 16-18 and Gibson is a central part of his plans.
The Stanley-born teenager is currently away on international duty with England under-17s at the European Championships in Croatia.  Steve Cooper’s side play their first game on Thursday against Norway.  Everton’s Alex Denny is part of the Three Lions squad.  Gibson made his Newcastle u-18s debut in January 2016 and has become a permanent fixture in the side.  But the talented teen has also been called up by Peter Beardsley to play for Newcastle’s u-23s side this term.

Tom Davies wins Everton Supporters Club Goal of the Season
Everton youngster wins Goal of the Season prize from Supporters Club
By David Prentice
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Movie stars who shine at The Golden Globes are usually tipped to do do well at The Oscars.
So Tom Davies will step out at Everton's own version next week, their newly branded awards night The Dixies, feeling confident!   Everton's official awards night will have an Oscars theme with Dixie Dean styled statuettes presented to winners and a pre-event blue carpet.  And at last night's precursor the talented Blues youngster collected the Everton annual Supporters' Club Goal of the Season award at Goodison Park, a week before the club's official prize ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall.
Davies was named winner for his sublime spin, run and dink against Manchester City in January. And fittingly the awards ceremony was held on the concourse of the Gwladys Street End, where Davies scored his first senior goal.  “It’s always good to receive any award but it’s extra special to receive it from the fans,” said Davies. “For the goal, I just remember picking up the ball in my own half and the space just opening up in front of me. I ended up in the box with a chance to score and it was quite a surreal moment that went past so quick.  “I look back with immense pride and I’m just really glad it happened.”
Other big winners on the Supporters Club's big night were Romelu Lukaku, who was named Player of the Season - and Belgian Blues fan Stephane Noel who received the Supporters’ Clubs’ Fan of the Year accolade from first team coach Duncan Ferguson.   Stephane, a Goodison Park season ticket holder for the past 11 years, was acknowledged by his fellow Toffees for his dedication in travelling from his homeland to watch Everton in every game both home and away.

Support for Aaron Lennon from stars of sport and film
Leading stars rush to show support for Everton winger Aaron Lennon
By David Prentice
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Football fans and sports fans worldwide have rushed to show their support for Everton winger Aaron Lennon, who was detained under the Mental Health Act last night.  Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who has fought a battle with depression, tweeted: "Thoughts and love with Aaron Lennon and his family right now. I know that place, and I know he'll be fine with good support from us all."
While former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno, who is an ambassador for mental health after having been sectioned three times in the past 12 years, urged Lennon to: "stay strong and positive as possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel."  Leading actor and Liverpool fan David Morrissey also expressed his support in a tweet, saying: "Hope he's back soon and gets all the help and support he needs."
    My thoughts are with @AaronLennon12 today. I hope he's back soon and gets all the help and support he needs.
    — David Morrissey (@davemorrissey64) May 3, 2017
    Thoughts and love with Aaron Lennon and his family right now.
    I know that place, and I know he'll be fine with good support from us all.
    — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) May 2, 2017
    Thoughts r with Aaron Lennon today, stay strong & as positive as possible,there is light at the end of tunnel u will get through this boss
    — Frank Bruno MBE (@frankbrunoboxer) May 3, 2017
    Thoughts with Aaron Lennon's family. Not nice to read that. The mind is a wonderful thing but also a prison if not fully firing
    Hope he's ok
    — Paul Smith Jnr (@PaulSmithJnr) May 2, 2017
    Thoughts Are With @AaronLennon12 & His Family- #EFPF Wish You A Speedy Recovery #GetWellSoon #EFC pic.twitter.com/wgE2pggSg7
    — Everton FPF (@EFCFPF) May 3, 2017
    Sending good thoughts to @AaronLennon12 this morning
    — George Shaw (@George_Shaw9) May 3, 2017
    Thoughts go out to Aaron Lennon...mental illness is one of the hardest battles anyone could fight. Stay strong Azza. #COYS
    — Tottenham Hotspur (@LWOS_Tottenham) May 3, 2017
    Really hope Aaron Lennon gets the help he needs #MentalHealth
    — Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) May 3, 2017
    Thank you for all the kind messages for Aaron. We are supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy at this time.
    — Everton (@Everton) May 3, 2017
It was reported that police officers had stopped Lennon, who was tracksuited, on Stott Lane near Salford Royal Hospital.  A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called at around 4.35pm on Sunday, April 30, 2017 to reports of a concern for the welfare of a man.  “Officers attended and a 30-year-old man was detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and was taken to hospital for assessment.”

Everton transfer rumours - Blues consider move for star La Liga striker
A round-up of transfer rumours and speculation from around the web
By Joe Rimmer
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton are considering a move for Malaga star man Sandro Rodriguez, according to reports in Spain.
Rodriguez joined Malaga from Barcelona on a free transfer last summer and has established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in Spain.
The 21-year-old has scored 13 league goals this season and helped ensure Malaga's safety.
Incredibly, Sando has a release clause believed to be in the region of £5m, so would represent a decent gamble for plenty of top sides.  Although the young Spaniard is expected to want regular, first-team football and would not want to spend too much time on the bench.  Villarreal, Atletico, Tottenham and Liverpool have also been credited with keeping tabs on the striker

Everton striker scoops big award with loan club
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton youngster Calum Dyson has been named Grimsby Town’s Young Player of the Year.
Dyson only joined The Mariners on loan in late January but has been a big hit at Blundell Park.
The Fazakerley striker hit five goals in 13 appearances to help Grimsby finish 14th in League Two.
And Dyson was rewarded by being named the club’s Young Player of the Year as their annual awards last night.  The 20-year-old is open to returning to Grimsby next season.  “It’s a completely different type of football to what I’ve been used to and I feel as though I’ve coped with it well.  “I’d be very open to coming back next season, 100 per cent.  "I’ve loved every minute of time here, to be honest and, looking ahead to next season, I really do think we can push on and get into the Play-Offs – it’d be great for me to be able to be part of that.  “We’ll have to see what happens in the summer, see what both parties say and hopefully something can get done.”  Dyson is out of contract at the end of the season but a new deal is expected to be offered.

How much money will Everton earn from Premier League finishing in top seven?
Blues guaranteed top seven place in Ronald Koeman's first term in charge
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton are set to pocket in the region of £20m for finishing inside the top seven this season.
The Blues are guaranteed a seventh place finish in the Premier League this term but have not given up hope of overtaking Arsenal in their final three games.  Everton made £12.4m in ‘Merit Payments’ last season for finishing 11th in the final campaign of Roberto Martinez’s tenure.  But a seventh placed finish in Ronald Koeman’s debut season will see the Blues earn significantly more - and in the region of the 19.8m they earned in 2013/14.  West Ham and Southampton, who placed seventh in the previous two seasons, both pocketed £17.4m.  But it is understood that Premier League prize money will increase this season, although amounts will not be confirmed until after the final games at the end of the month.
But the ECHO understands that the difference between each place will be in excess of £1.5m. Leicester City won £24.8m for clinching the title last term while bottom club Aston Villa pocketed just £1.2m.

People are disgusted over the Mail's coverage of Aaron Lennon's mental health
Huge sympathy and support for the Everton winger but many asking what his wages have to do with his illness
By Dan Kay
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
People have united in support of Aaron Lennon - and condemnation of the Daily Mail - over the way they publicised his mental health problems.  The Everton winger, 30, was detained by police in Salford on Sunday under the Mental Health Act over concerns for his welfare after he was found at the side of a busy road close to the M602.  Thousands of messages of goodwill have been sent for the Leeds-born footballer, with many people encouraging others to speak up about mental health and to support those struggling with the illness.
The Daily Mail however have been accused of ‘irrelevant’ and ‘malicious’ reporting after sending a tweet which read: “£55,000-a-week England footballer Aaron Lennon is detained under Mental Health Act after stand-off with police.”  The article made reference to a previous motoring conviction and listed various celebrity links and alleged misdemeanours in Lennon’s private life, sparking anger from Twitter users who accused them of callous insensitivity toward a young man suffering a mental health crisis.
Former Everton captain Phil Neville tweeted: “Why put his wage at the start of the headline?”
Ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler agreed, saying: “Why the need to tell everyone what he earns ... Absolutely. Not needed... #getwellsoonaaron.”
Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who has spoken publicly and often about his own mental health issues, slammed the Mail’s coverage, saying: “£2m a year sociopath editor links Aaron Lennon wages to mental health. Sick. Hope AL gets help he needs.”
Other Twitter users described the Mail’s tone as ‘abhorrent’ and said newspapers should be “de-stigmatising mental illness... not sensationalising it in headlines’.
Scott Burns said: “Does his 55k wage make it unacceptable to have a mental health issue? #idiots”
Many football fans and public figures have shown their support for the Everton winger since the news of his illness broke on Tuesday evening.  Everton midfielder Aaron Lennon detained under Mental Health Act with stress-related illness  Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who has fought a public battle with depression, tweeted: “Thoughts and love with Aaron Lennon and his family right now. I know that place, and I know he’ll be fine with good support from us all.”  While former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno, now an ambassador for mental health having been sectioned several times, urged Lennon to: “Stay strong and positive as possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel”.
Everton Football Club said: “Thank you for all the kind messages for Aaron. We are supporting him through this and his family has appealed for privacy at this time”, while Lennon’s former clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United also tweeted their support.

Everton defender Ashley Williams will show Swansea City no sympathy
Former team-mate says Williams won't let-up on Saturday despite Swans' plight
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ashley Williams will be intent on piling relegation misery on old club Swansea City, insist former team-mate Leon Britton.  Britton says the former Swans captain will show no sympathy for their plight once he steps foot on the pitch on Saturday night.  Williams left South Wales for Everton last summer in a £12m move and has been a key figure for the Blues in Ronald Koeman’s first season at Goodison.
On Saturday (5:30pm) the 32-year-old returns to Swansea for the first time and Britton is expecting no let-up in Williams’ approach - just because the Swans are in desperate need of the points.
“It’s the first time he’s been back and it’s a big game for us,” Britton said.
“He won’t be doing us any favours. Ash is Ash, he gives everything every time he stepped across the white line for us and Wales for many years.  “Watching Everton, he’s done the same there. He will [give everything] against us.”

'Everton's season is taking toll on squad but Koeman won't tolerate flip-flop mentality'
View from the Gwladys Street with Gary Lunt
By Gary Lunt
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Did we learn anything new from the Chelsea defeat?
Despite our tremendous home form this calendar year, I feel that even the most optimistic of fans comprehend the gulf in class between ourselves and Chelsea.  Although a 0-3 defeat seems somewhat harsh in the context of the game as a whole, it was evident that not only do we lack any real game changers on the bench, but there are still certain positions in the starting 11 that must also be addressed in the summer.  What do you make of Lukaku chatting to Michael Emenalo after? Just old pals catching up or another step out of the Goodison door?  I wouldn’t pay too much attention to it, especially with Rom being an ex-Chelsea player, so of course he will be familiar with many of their staff.
The fact of the matter is, Everton not only don’t want to sell, but if they do, it won’t be on the cheap.
If Chelsea or any other club want him, they’ll have to meet our hefty price requirements.
Do you sense the players' desire to finish higher than 7th has ebbed?
I don’t think that Koeman is the sort of manager who would tolerate brown shoes flip flops to be worn before June and I think that a lot of the players are essentially playing for their future at the club.
Ronald Koeman watches Ross Barkley during training
We’ve been on a great run recently and we’re far from the finished article so I don’t believe that the previous two performances should dishearten fans too much, it’s more the season taking its toll on the squad.
Have you got a theory on why our away form is so poor in contrast with Goodison?
We’re very much a team in transition and we haven’t exactly had a cemented starting eleven throughout the course of the season bar a few individuals – With Koeman constantly experimenting with new combinations and injuries piling up, it is always going to be harder for the team to gel in difficult atmospheres.
I certainly think things will pick up in this department next year as we move closer to being his own chosen squad.
Koeman is an admirer of Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson but is he one you would like us to sign?
I don’t think that there would be many teams in the league that would turn their noses up at Sigurdsson and he is certainly a player I would love to see in the royal blue next season.
It has been mooted that he would be seen as an instant replacement for Barkley (if he were to leave) however I’d love to see them both in the same team.
With the oncoming fixture congestion of the Europa League next season I would be looking for a squad large enough to field two strong teams of eleven.
Any other business?
I co-host a weekly film podcast called Film Book Club & I’m also in the middle of setting up a film events company so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Barbara Dean receives the first Dixie
Dixie's daughter receives the first 'Dixie' award
By David Prentice
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Barbara Dean, the daughter of Everton legend Dixie Dean has received the first ‘Dixie’ trophy ahead of the club’s awards ceremony renamed in honour of her record-breaking dad.
Everton, which will be hosting its new-look end of season awards, ‘The Dixies’, next Tuesday, welcomed Barbara Dean and her husband, Mike, to Goodison Park - where the the Blues’ first and greatest number 9 famously scored 60 league goals in one season – a record which still stands today.
Barbara, who followed in her father’s footsteps to become a lifelong Blue, said that she was honoured to be awarded the first ‘Dixie’.
After receiving the statuette pitchside at Goodison Park, she said: “It means everything that it’s been relaunched in memory of him. We’re are all so very proud – he’s mentioned all the time, people remember him who never even saw him play which is the hallmark of a true legend.
“To receive the first award is just wonderful. The whole family are thrilled to bits and they’ve been looking forward to coming next Tuesday.
“The fans are always so keen to approach us and talk about dad, wherever we go, so hopefully they’ll all enjoy the event on the night.”  Commenting on what keeps Dixie so central in the hearts of minds of Evertonians, Barbara added: “He was just a normal, down to earth bloke. He used to get the bus over here and go in the local pubs.
"He was loved by normal people and he was very understanding of what was going on in the world and the hardships people faced, he really felt for people. He knew that football brought them out, in some cases it was the only thing that they had to keep them going.
“And he was the best. He still is!”
The revamped awards, which are being hosted by BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman, take place at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool on Tuesday 9 May and will be attended by manager Ronald Koeman and his entire squad. There will also be a ‘premier style’ blue carpet where supporters can enjoy meet and greets with Blues stars from 6.30pm.
Presentations on the night will include Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Under-23 Player of Season, the Chairman’s Blueblood Award, the Howard Kendall Award and the Fan of the Year. A former player will also be inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame and named as the latest Everton Giant.
Tickets, available from just £30, are being sold by the Royal Philharmonic, Liverpool. Call 0151 709 3789.

Confirmed - Everton hand new deal to Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Blues striker signs new five year contract
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton have confirmed Dominic Calvert-Lewin has signed a new five-year-deal.
The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to the club until 2020.
Calvert-Lewin, who joined the Blues from Sheffield United in the summer, has made 10 appearances for Everton’s first-team this season after making his debut in December.  He said: “I hadn’t expected things to move as fast as they have and to have played against the teams I have done, so I’m very grateful for that and I’m working hard every day to improve,” said Calvert-Lewin.  “I’m learning every day in training and in the games, so I can’t ask for much more.  “It only feels like yesterday when I was signing for Everton, so to be here now is a great feeling. My leap into the first-team was a bit quicker than expected and I’ve played a few games now.  "I came in with the under-23s initially and I’m now really enjoying being part of the first-team squad.  “Around Christmas I got my chance with the first-team, got on the bench and made my debut. It’s taken off from there and I’ve tried to take it in my stride day-by-day.”

Clarke Carlisle on Aaron Lennon: ‘I don’t want anyone to experience what I did’
In a column for the Guardian the former PFA chairman and Premier League defender discusses football’s inadequate provision for mental health issues and calls for action
By Clarke Carlisle
Wednesday 3 May 2017 Guardian
When I first heard the news about Aaron Lennon, there was a feeling of sadness because I don’t want anyone to experience what I’ve been through. But it was also a feeling of relief.  My former team-mate at Leeds has got to the crisis point that I hit but he has now entered the support system and has the opportunity to address what is going on, rehabilitate himself and live a full and blessed life. I remember our days at Leeds really well. Aaron has always been a really quiet lad. He was never someone who bragged about anything but just got on with his business. He’s quite possibly the quickest thing on two legs that I’ve ever had to man mark in five‑a‑sides. When he is on form he is literally unplayable and I know there is still plenty more to come from him.
We spent some time together and that’s what encouraged me to feel that I could reach out to him via Twitter. Although I don’t know the exact specifics of his situation, I have a good experience and understanding of the spectrum of mental health issues and I wanted to offer my support at this time. Having been through this situation myself I know that anything more than that is imposition and if it’s not warranted it will just cause further stress. It’s an approach that I would implore everyone to adopt – Azza’s going to embark on a journey where he needs to find the right recovery process and rehabilitation and his family will help to tailor that to suit his needs. But if I can be of help then I will be.
The single most annoying question that I ever hear on this topic is how can someone who is a millionaire be depressed. Mental health conditions are illnesses, which means they are indiscriminate. He is no more immune to mental health issues than he is to flu or diarrhoea or anything of that order. He is a human being so whether he has millions in the bank or is a man or woman is irrelevant.
It’s actually of no surprise to me because Aaron’s in the prime demographic. We saw suicide rates last year peaked for young black males between the ages of 30 and 45 and that group is the most susceptible to experiencing mental issues. So the car that you drive does not prevent you from succumbing to this illness. That is a question that is proffered by the media, and I think that is doing a disservice to their viewers or readership.  The requisite level of awareness and understanding in society is now such where people are aware of the issue but those who are suffering need to be treated accordingly. The dialogue needs to be at the level of the understanding that there now is in society. Let’s not talk about why someone has mental health issues. What we should be talking about is whether there is a sufficient support structure in place. Is the screening and diagnostic process right and does it suit the industry they are in? Those are the more appropriate questions.  Things are definitely improving in society as a whole, however. People have begun to realise that this is an issue that affects everyone in the world and is bordering on a pandemic. Awareness is growing but the support mechanisms are not. Everything in place is based on centuries-old models of sanitariums and are not up to speed with modern society and modern living. That’s what my charity, the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis, is aiming to change.
Clarke Carlisle charity, the Clarke Carlisle Foundation for Dual Diagnosis, is aiming to change the approach to mental health issues.  Our official launch dinner is on the 30 June at the Imperial War Museum North but we’ve already signed up for two huge projects. The first is building the National Centre for Dual Diagnosis where we have teamed up with a company called Architectonicus to bring the whole model in-house so there’s not a disparate service from detox to diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare. The shorter-term project is we have teamed up with another company called Attigo to develop an app that is going to be industry-specific in its language and reference points that will give people instant access to therapists. The “one-click counsellor”. We’re hoping to eliminate waiting times for talking therapy.  Being involved helps me feel like I’m contributing and giving back to those whose lives I have affected through the course of my illness and my actions. Kindness and general humanity is a huge factor in raising someone’s self-esteem.  But the biggest flaw in football is there is no legislation for football clubs to follow. The Football Association has not put in place measures for the psychological and emotional well-being of their employees. It’s in the contracts that they should take care of any injury – physical or mental – and pay for the rehabilitation but there is no stipulation about the base level of care that is needed. This is inadequate because it’s then down to a club’s interpretation, so whatever they think is appropriate, they will put in place but another club might do nothing.  Everything is focused on disaster recovery and crisis management once a guy is suicidal or is fully reclusive. Football does not do that about any other aspect of physical health – they do stretches, they take supplements and go through all these routines in order to maintain healthy physical performance. This is the approach that needs to be taken with mental health issues. It’s not about disaster recovery – that should only be a percentage of the support that is out there.  Unfortunately it is inevitable that some people will get to that stage but if there’s a greater focus on early intervention, education on coping strategies and emotional literacy, all of this can be introduced at academy level. So when a player comes into a professional environment he understands that football is a vocation and not his sole identity.  In my opinion that’s a legacy of society. We can’t blame the NHS – they’re understaffed and underfunded so are constantly putting out fires. People have to get to blatant disaster before there is help out there for them. The whole thing needs adapting and I believe it’s possible.
What we need to stop doing is sensationalising the journey. There’s a general belief that you’re either well or suicidal. There is a huge spectrum in between and the more that we can get people to talk about their experiences, the more we can help to recover just by a chat and a hug. It can be as simple as a couple of Paracetamol for cold. In doing that, we can alleviate a large part of the burden on the crisis-management centres and really start to fight back against this terrible illness.

Former Blues striker Andy Johnson's generous gesture in support of Aaron Lennon
Ex-Everton star stands to donate thousands of pounds to mental health charity Mind
By Alan Weston
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Former Blues striker Andy Johnson is donating money to a mental health charity in a show of support for Aaron Lennon .  The Everton winger, 30, was detained by police in Salford on Sunday under the Mental Health Act over concerns for his welfare after he was found at the side of a busy road close to the M602.
Thousands of messages of goodwill have been sent for the Leeds-born footballer, with many people encouraging others to speak up about mental health and to support those struggling with the illness.
But Johnson, who scored 22 goals for Everton in two seasons at the club, has gone one further. In a post on his Twitter account, he has said he will donate 10p to the mental health charity Mind for every re-tweet, in Lennon’s name.
    It's time to #EndTheStigma and talk about #MentalHealth. For every RT, I'll donate 10p to @MindCharity in @AaronLennon12's name. #topman pic.twitter.com/5el5GTRZg0
    — Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnson08) May 3, 2017
In only a few hours, the message had been re-tweeted more than 22,000 times, which equals a donation of over £2,000 to the charity. By 6pm this evening, it had reached nearly 60,000 retweets.
These were just some of the responses to Johnson’s tweet.
    @AndyJohnson08 @MindCharity @AaronLennon12 Good man andy.
    Some people seem to think you can't have no problems in life if your on 55k a week.
    Just goes to show it can affect anyone.
    — Davey〰Moore ⚒ (@davidjamesmoore) May 3, 2017
    @AndyJohnson08 @GraemeBailey @MindCharity @AaronLennon12 Mental illness doesn't discriminate based on profession or wealth, it affects all so if this raises awareness then only good can come of it
    — Richard Atherton (@rmabolton) May 3, 2017
    @AndyJohnson08 @JohnEJefferson @MindCharity @AaronLennon12 That was an expensive pledge! But top marks.
    — Michael Westcombe (@MerryMichaelW) May 3, 2017
    @AndyJohnson08 @3_GARLAND_6 @MindCharity @AaronLennon12 Hopfully going to be an expensive day for you class touch though. #MentalHealthMatters #mind #MentalHealthAwareness
    — Owen Jones (@ojones205) May 3, 2017
@AndyJohnson08 @MindCharity @AaronLennon12 Great gesture AJ! Top man yourself for this. Just hope others in the game follow your lead.
    — Michael J. Birkett (@MBirkett79) May 3, 2017
Johnson’s move is in stark contrast to the approach of the Daily Mail, which was accused of “irrelevant” and “malicious” reporting after sending a tweet which read: “£55,000-a-week England footballer Aaron Lennon is detained under Mental Health Act after stand-off with police.”
The article made reference to a previous motoring conviction and listed various celebrity links and alleged misdemeanours in Lennon’s private life, sparking anger from Twitter users who accused them of callous insensitivity toward a young man suffering a mental health crisis.
Former Everton captain Phil Neville tweeted: “Why put his wage at the start of the headline?”
Ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler agreed, saying: “Why the need to tell everyone what he earns ... Absolutely. Not needed... #getwellsoonaaron.”
Other Twitter users described the Mail’s tone as “abhorrent” and said newspapers should be “de-stigmatising mental illness... not sensationalising it in headlines”.

What are Gylfi Sigurdsson's weaknesses? It's difficult to find any
Behind Enemy Lines with Wales Online's Chris Wathan
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Chris Wathan is Chief Football Writer at Media Wales. He is also Welsh Sports Journalist of the Year.
We asked him for the lowdown on Everton target Gylfi Sigurdsson ahead of Saturday's game at the Liberty Stadium.
How confident are you that Swansea City can avoid the drop? (Having Gylfi Sigurdsson must give everyone at the Liberty hope?)
Well, there's a lot more confidence than there was a few weeks ago when Swansea had gone six games with picking up just one point to leave most feeling that all hope was gone.
It wasn't a new sensation; a few days before Paul Clement's appointment Swansea had lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth to leave them bottom of the league on New Year's Eve. Clement made an immediate impact and at one stage – helped by a certain win at Anfield – looked like they would not only get safe, but be able of wrapping it up quickly.
The side hit a rocky patch with a few injuries and fast lost confidence with Clement also losing a little swagger, but that win over Stoke and draw at Man Utd (even though they quite possibly could and shave have won the game) has restored a lot of belief around the place.
The problem is it might have come a little too late and Hull's own revival has meant their fate is not in their own hands.  Still, as you mention, a player like Sigurdsson means Swansea have a player capable of turning games their way.  His goal at Old Trafford was his first in 11 – he might just have timed a return to goal form exactly right.
Gylfi Sigurdsson scores a free-kick for Swansea at Old Trafford
Just how good has Sigurdsson been this season?
I think it's fair to say that 12 assists and nine goals in a team that may yet go down tells its own story.
Being perfectly truthful, there have been games where you wanted to see a little more from him and he hasn't been quite as sharp and accurate as he can be.  Yet, you have to have that context of the team's struggles, the fact he has played out of position and has had defensive responsibilities and the natural frustrations.  Even with all that in mind, he has been far and away Swansea's most consistent player and comfortably their best player where even in games where he has disappointed, some of his touches, his close control and his use of the ball has been breathtaking.
What would you say are his main strengths? What are his weaknesses?
Clearly his set-piece delivery is what makes his statistics stand out and his free-kicks are up there with the very best around.  What I like about him is his willingness to put a real shift in to go with all the shiny aspects of his football.  It's something he's carried over with him from his role with the Iceland team and there's not a drop of the big 'I am about him as a individual or as a footballer, which shows in an incredible work ethic.  It would have been easy for him to have thrown his toys out of the pram, but his attitude has been bang on.  As for weaknesses, it's difficult to point out anything in particular as he is such an all-rounder.  He's even considered a good marker at defensive set-pieces!
How do Swansea fans feel about their star player being coveted by Everton and others?
That it's natural.
Swansea fans have become used to seeing players linked or leave over the years, a reality of the size of the club and the size of those they have competed with since coming into the Premier League.
Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City
Throw in now the fact they are where they are and the performances of Sigurdsson then it's fair to say that there'd be more of a surprise if he wasn't being linked or eyed up by clubs.
That said, whoever wants him will have to pay what he's worth – and that's quite a bit.
If Swansea managed to beat the drop - how confident would you be about keeping him?
That would depend on Swansea's ability to show they can make sure they don't find themselves in the same position, which might not be easy if there is a big queue of clubs trying to tempt him away.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (L) reacts after scoring for Hoffenheim in 2010.
I believe he's on a very good contract and really enjoys his life down by the sea so I don't think it will be a case of the first club who flutters their eyelashes seeing him drop everything and moving.
You wouldn't be surprised if there's offers from elsewhere in Europe (don't forget, he left Reading to experience German football with Hoffenheim and was very good in the Bundesliga) and a new challenge could be just as tempting as a bigger club in the Premier League.

Confirmed - Everton hand new deal to Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Blues striker signs new five year contract
By Phil Kirkbride
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton have confirmed Dominic Calvert-Lewin has signed a new five-year-deal.
The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to the club until 2020.
Calvert-Lewin, who joined the Blues from Sheffield United in the summer, has made 10 appearances for Everton’s first-team this season after making his debut in December.  He said: “I hadn’t expected things to move as fast as they have and to have played against the teams I have done, so I’m very grateful for that and I’m working hard every day to improve,” said Calvert-Lewin.  “I’m learning every day in training and in the games, so I can’t ask for much more.
“It only feels like yesterday when I was signing for Everton, so to be here now is a great feeling. My leap into the first-team was a bit quicker than expected and I’ve played a few games now.
"I came in with the under-23s initially and I’m now really enjoying being part of the first-team squad.
“Around Christmas I got my chance with the first-team, got on the bench and made my debut. It’s taken off from there and I’ve tried to take it in my stride day-by-day.”

This is how much Andy Johnson will be donating to Mind in support of Aaron Lennon
Ex-Everton star said he was "stunned by the love shown" for Blues winger Lennon
By Lorna Hughes
3 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Former Everton striker Andy Johnson’s donation to a mental health charity in a show of support for Aaron Lennon has now topped £10,000.  Everton winger Lennon 30, was detained by police in Salford on Sunday under the Mental Health Act over concerns for his welfare after he was found at the side of a busy road close to the M602.
    It's time to #EndTheStigma and talk about #MentalHealth. For every RT, I'll donate 10p to @MindCharity in @AaronLennon12's name. #topman pic.twitter.com/5el5GTRZg0
    — Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnson08) May 3, 2017
Thousands of messages of goodwill have been sent for the footballer, with many people encouraging others to speak up about mental health.
And Johnson, who scored 22 goals for Everton in two seasons at the club, went a step further by pledging to donate 10p to Mind for every re-tweet of a post in support of Lennon.
By 10pm on Wednesday, his tweet had been shared 84,329 times – making a total of £8,432 – and the number was still increasing.  And by 11am on Thursday, there were more than 108,000 retweets of the message.  Johnson said he was “stunned by the love shown for @AaronLennon12 & awareness raised for #MentalHealth”, adding: “It’s something we should all talk about with no shame!”
Johnson’s move is in stark contrast to the approach of the Daily Mail, which was accused of “irrelevant” and “malicious” reporting after sending a tweet which read: “£55,000-a-week England footballer Aaron Lennon is detained under Mental Health Act after stand-off with police.”  The article made reference to a previous motoring conviction and listed various celebrity links and alleged misdemeanours in Lennon’s private life, sparking anger from Twitter users.  Many said it was callous insensitivity toward a young man suffering a mental health crisis.

Was 1987 Howard Kendall's greatest Everton achievement?
If 1985 was halcyon, 1987 was Kendall's hardest working title triumph
By David Prentice
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Look back to when Everton last won the league title
Thirty years ago today Everton footballers enjoyed a road trip from heaven - as Howard Kendall ordered the driver of the team bus back from Norwich not to dare accelerate over 30mph.  His young team had just won their second league title in three years, courtesy of Pat van den Hauwe's Carrow Road winner - and the Everton manager wanted his players to enjoy their celebrations.
1985 had been Howard Kendall’s halcyon season.
Everton won a league and cup double - and narrowly missed out on a treble. They won the league with five games to spare and amassed 90 points – despite pulling on their flip flops for league games played on May 23, 26 and 28. They scored 88 goals and went unbeaten for 28 matches from January to May.
Everton manager Howard Kendall celebrates after Everton beat Norwich 1-0 to win the championship
In short, they won the title gloriously, thrilling and swashbucklingly.
But was the title win two years later actually Kendall’s greatest achievement?
Everton’s 1987 title triumph was more prosaic, more functional, more solid.
It lacked the derby successes - three of them - of two years earlier, and the iconic 5-0 demolition of Man United.  And if Kendall’s first title triumph ended Everton’s 15 year absence from the summit of English football, the follow up came just two years later.
But if ending that long wait for a title was hard work for Howard, he had to work even harder to win it back.
And it was every bit as inspired.
Everton endured a calamitous injury list in 1986/87.
Look at the team which kicked off the campaign against Nottingham Forest.
Neville Southall, Footballer of the Year two years earlier, was injured and didn’t play until the end of October. The Players Player of the Year in 1985, Peter Reid, was also injured. He didn’t play until February. So was Pat van Den Hauwe. He returned in February. Derek Mountfield was injured - he started just 12 games all season. Gary Stevens was missing. He didn’t return until December.
It was a ridiculous injury list.
But Kendall overcame it, signing players for modest fees who fitted in seamlessly, and reshuffling his resources like a conjuror spinning plates.  Look at some of the names who became title winners that season.  Kevin Langley started 16 matches, Paul Wilkinson 12, Bobby Mimms 11, Wayne Clarke 10.
Neil Adams made 12 appearances, Alan Harper, who started 10 league games in 84/85, four of them after the title had been won, started 29 in 1986/87. Paul Power – signed as cover for Pat van Den Hauwe, was forced to cover 40 times and only stepped down when the title was won.
And before all this, Kendall had decided to sell the country’s top goalscorer, Gary Lineker, a man who had just top scored at the World Cup finals.
In hindsight that piece of business was a masterstroke.
Gary Lineker, the PFA Player of the Year for 1986, had been sold by Howard Kendall before the title winning season. It was a gamble but it paid off.
He sold Lineker – not, as some sages suggested, because he thought he was on his way to take over from Terry Venables at Barcelona and wanted a world class striker to ease his introduction to Spain.
He simply believed that despite scoring 40 goals in his first season at Goodison, Everton had become too dependent upon Lineker’s pace – and as a result more predictable.
The figures in 1986/87 bore out his reasoning.
Kevin Sheedy led their League scoring charts with 13, followed by Adrian Heath with 11 and Trevor Steven with 10, all but two of them penalties. Wayne Clarke scored five in a glorious end of season flurry after being enlisted by Kendall to push Everton over the line as yet more injuries hit home – this time to centre-forward Graeme Sharp.
Paul Power, Gary Stevens and Dave Watson scored four apiece.
In contrast, title rivals Tottenham relied heavily on a solitary goalscorer, Clive Allen. He hammered 33 league goals that season – but their team total was still four fewer than Everton’s 72.
'Everton FC legend Kevin Sheedy' drilling in a sensational free-kick at Anfield.
It was a remarkable title triumph – achieved in adversity, against all odds, and might even have had the most wonderful of coronations.  Everton had the opportunity to clinch the title at Anfield – at the home of their fiercest rivals.  Despite a trademark Kevin Sheedy thunderbolt and pointed celebration - two points, not one – Liverpool staved off the ignominy of their rivals celebrating a league title win at Anfield for the first time since they played there in 1891.  They also missed a chance to clinch it against Manchester City a week later, so had to wait for the Easter Monday trip to Norwich – which at least afforded the opportunity for the lengthiest of road trip celebrations back home.
The Guardian’s David Lacey memorably gave Everton the credit they deserved for their triumph.
“No sooner had Everton won the League championship at Norwich on Monday than moves were afoot to damn them with the sort of faint praise that recalled Churchill’s remark about Chamberlain being a good lord mayor of Birmingham in a bad year,” he wrote. “In other words Everton were worthy winners of an indifferent tournament. The facts hardly support this view.
“Everton took the prize for the second time in three years largely through two big offensives which saw them win six League matches in a row over Christmas and the New Year and another seven around Easter. Their closest and oldest rivals managed one big push; two were beyond them.
“Between Boxing Day and March 19, when they lost at Spurs, Liverpool gained 32 points out of 36 with 10 victories and two draws. In mid-March they held a nine-point lead over Everton at the top of the First Division. By early April Howard Kendall’s team were back in front.
“Kendall and his chief coach, Colin Harvey, have again shown that the art of good management is just that — making do and mending when the team are hit by injuries, filling the gaps with players who can do the jobs, buying the sort of spare parts that fit easily into the system and, above all, maintaining a high level of performance.
“The fair-minded Tottenham boss, David Pleat, would be the first to concede that if you begin a season with your midfield shot away, have changes frequently thrust upon you by other injuries and still win the League in some style then that is outstanding management.”
Quite.
And it was quite possibly Howard Kendall’s most outstanding achievement.
Was 1987 Howard Kendall's greatest achievement? Let us know what you think.

New Everton stadium: Blues fans call for Sky Lounge but snub 'cheese room' idea
Supporters have their say on what kind of amenities Bramley Moore Dock should offer
By Chris Beesley
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton's new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock should boast a Sky Lounge and the UK's longest bar say fans but Blues have turned their noses up at the prospect of a Cheese Room.
Inspired by an article in the Mirror which displayed the most intriguing features of Tottenham's new stadium, we asked Evertonians which of these amenities they'd like at Goodison Park's replacement and which ones they wanted to forgo.  The results were certainly intriguing with a wide spectrum of answers for the various ideas.  Most popular project was the Sky Lounge – offering panoramic views from high in the stadium – which received a 93% approval rating with supporters at the time of publishing.
Also a big hit was a proposed attempt to overhaul Spurs' plans to build the UK's longest bar which scored 92%.  The prospect of a Cheese Room (Tottenham's exclusive 'H Club' will include an option for clients to select their own specially sourced half-time cheeses) caused a big stink though with 76% of Blues against such a venture.  Other popular choices were a microbrewery with an overwhelming 88% of supporters declaring “Come on You Brews” in favour of the project while 71% of Evertonians liked the thought of having a retractable pitch.  The hopes of getting an in-house bakery also seem to be rising as 68% of fans said yes to that.  There was a close call over the Tunnel Club – an area where supporters could pay extra to see the players before they took to the field with 60% against the concept but two issues really split the fanbase and they both concerned the seats themselves.  Tottenham's new stadium will included both seats with USB Ports to charge electronic devices and heated seats.   Each were the thumbs up by Blues but it was a close call with 58-42 splits for the USB Ports and an even narrower margin that saw the heated seats sneak through 53-47.

A 30th anniversary of an Everton title shouldn't be celebrated
Blues can be in no mood to party when it's been three decades since they were last champions but Farhad Moshiri brings hope
By Chris Beesley
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
The 30th anniversary of Everton's last title is a significant landmark but it should never be a milestone which is celebrated.  The prospect of a 30th birthday brings a grimace to every footballer's face and the wait for Goodison Park patrons will be no different.  Never before in the Blues proud history have the club entered a fourth decade without being champions of England.
Before the current drought, 24 years was the longest Evertonians had ever had to wait before seeing their team finish top of the pile again – that same period also remains the longest barren streak without a trophy (the lean period between the 1939 and 1963 titles, but even that included a seven-year hiatus without competitive football because of the Second World War).
As it stands, Everton are getting dangerously close to threatening that record – nothing in 2017 ensures the minimum wait to add to the 1995 FA Cup stands at 23 years even if silverware is secured next season.  While the Blues have never dominated any singular era when blanket success has been achieved unlike the only three clubs in the country to have won the league more times: Manchester United (13 of their 20 titles secured between 1993-2013); Liverpool (11 of their 18 titles won from 1973-90); or Arsenal (5 of their 13 titles coming between 1931-38), their Championship wins have been accumulated steadily over a sustained period of time lasting almost a century.
Everton's Alan Ball marches back to the home dressing room with the Football League Championship trophy under his arm after his team's 2-0 win wrapped up the title, followed by teammate Brian Labone (l)
Like all of the aforementioned trio, they have clinched the league in seven different decades: Everton (1890s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s); Liverpool (1900s, 1920s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s); Manchester United (1900s, 1910s, 1950s, 1960s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s); Arsenal (1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s).
However, having not been number one since Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita' topped the UK musical charts, are Everton now further away than ever both in time and distance from returning to the summit?
Farhad Moshiri's wealth and ambition should ensure that the Blues are finally better-placed at challenging the English game's elite than they ever have been since 1987 and Leicester City's stunning 5,000-1 success a year ago has to give everyone hope.
If Ronald Koeman can enjoy a successful summer in the transfer market then their chances could change dramatically in the coming months but as Chelsea's visit on Sunday showed, along with recent visits to White Hart Lane and Anfield, bridging the gap between comfortably finishing ahead of the rest of the top flight's also-rans and mixing it with the established 'big six' is a considerable ask.
Chief executive Robert Elstone has promised fans a busy and exciting time in the transfer market but even if Mr Moshiri gets the proverbial chequebook out to bankroll a considerable war chest, financial fair play restricts the Blues from spending with abandon in the ways that both Chelsea and then Manchester City muscled their way into top spot in recent years.
Then there's the vicious circle of the best players wanting to be at Champions League club and the need of having the best players to get into the Champions League.
Contract issues for Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley have yet to be resolved.
Lukaku is a particularly thorny issue. With the Belgian refusing to sign a lucrative new five-year deal, the Blues could cash-in on him this summer but can they afford to sell him, particularly to a rival, when they're within touching distance of where they want to be?
Optimists may say that football is cyclical and Everton's turn will come again but the game's landscape has changed beyond recognition in the generation since they last ruled the roost.
John Moores roused the club from their slumber in the early 1960s to once again epitomise the values of their Latin motto 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum' following a period that had been much darker.
English League Division One match at Goodison Park. Everton 4 v Fulham 1. The win gave Everton the title on the last day of the season. Everton players celebrate their title success in the changing room after the match with chairman John Moores.6th April 1963
Back then Everton were known as the 'Mersey Millionaires'.
Today, millionaires alone are not enough – there are 22 of them running around on the pitch – but if Mr Moshiri were able to steer the club to a Premier League title then they just might replace the statues atop of the Royal Liver Building he's purchased from the famous birds to effigies of the Iranian himself.

A new goalkeeper must be Everton manager Ronald Koeman's summer priority
Fans Jury: Supporters also wishing Aaron Lennon well in his recovery
By Chris Beesley
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Sobering defeat to Chelsea may prove a blessing in disguise: David Taylor, St Helens
We pretty much rolled over for Chelsea on Sunday, we looked out of sorts and out of shape on the pitch and offered up minimal threat to Courtois.  They have well and truly beaten us in both encounters this season and it brought into sharp focus the work that needs to be done if we have designs on challenging for honours any time soon.
Yet it may be a blessing in disguise.
In the same way the FA Cup defeat against Leicester gave Ronald Koeman an unwelcome platform to push along transfer business it will have been sobering for the board and management watching the defeats to Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Every fan can see we need to improve so we have to believe that the talented custodians of our club have identified and are working on buying the necessary bridges for the clear gaps on the pitch.
While we watched events unfold on the pitch over the bank holiday weekend it has become clear that Aaron Lennon had entered a difficult stage in his life.  I hope those close to him will now give him the support needed and I am absolutely sure that Everton, his teammates and all the fans will provide any help needed where they can.
Despite the obvious culprits living in the dark ages in regards mental health issues (Hello Daily Mail), the genuine concern and well wishes he has been receiving from all members of the footballing community has been heartening.   He has always come across as a popular and level headed young man who I hope now asks for and receives the help he needs. COYB
With our strong home record this term I fully expected us to beat Chelsea at the weekend, but the performance lacked intensity, strength, and any real threat going forward.
The first goal was a wonder strike but there was not enough pressure on the ball from our centre halves, similarly in the first half when Gary Cahill had a shot from distance.
Maarten Stekelenburg wasn't at fault for the first goal but he made big errors for the second and third. The second with a weak palm back into danger and the third he needlessly came too far out from his front post leaving the goal exposed for Willian to tap in. A new goalkeeper must be a summer priority.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cesar Azpilicueta go toe-to-toe  We should also be critical of Koeman's team selection. Against a Chelsea team who dominate the midfield through Kante and Matic. Gareth Barry would have been a stronger choice in midfield and may have stopped us getting as overran as we did.
I am also unimpressed by what we've seen from Enner Valencia and Dominic Calvert-Lewin so far and I'm not sure how their selection can be justified when Kevin Mirallas and Ademola Lookman are sat on the bench and Gerard Deulofeu has been deemed surplus to requirements.
There have been many positives this season but the summer must now be used to strengthen and build on the decent foundations we've built this year.
A new goalkeeper is a must: Lee Molton, St Helens
It was with great sadness that we heard this week about Aaron Lennon’s mental illness. It is a terrible illness but he is on the first step to recovery and will be getting all the help and support he needs. We all wish him very well and hope to see him back in a blue shirt very soon.
Congratulations to our Under 23 team on winning the League, it is a tremendous achievement and it will be good to see them presented with the trophy on Monday night. Let’s hope that we can get over 10,000 to cheer them on – they deserve a big crowd!
Chelsea played very well on Sunday, but we gave them too much space and room to play. It highlighted once again that a new goalkeeper is a must in the summer, there are plenty of good young goalies out there.  There are three games left of the season and it is important that we compete in every game and not go out with a whimper. Our season has not finished yet, the players have pride to play for and also need to put in good performances for the travelling fans at Swansea and Arsenal away.

Eight players who could pick Everton for European football
These players might fancy a Goodison move to play in the Europa League
By Alistair Kleebauer
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
The wisdom of how important European football is to players when they consider a transfer is contested.  Do players simply follow the money, with a lucrative offer talking above all other considerations?  Or is the prestige of playing in continental competition a major factor when players weigh up their options?    Either way, being able to offer European competition to potential recruits will unquestionably be of benefit to Everton this summer.  A look around Europe's leagues reveals some talented players who aren't likely to get be playing in the Europa League or Champions League next season if they stay where they are.  Here then are eight players Everton could attract with the promise of European nights at Goodison Park.
1 - Florentin Pogba (Saint Etienne), centre-back
Saint Etienne, currently seventh in Ligue 1, are unlikely to snatch a place in the Europa League next season.  So, though it wouldn't attract as much attention as his brother Paul going to Manchester United, Everton could tempt the older Pogba with the lure of European football.
The 26-year-old has had a solid season in defence and is a rumoured transfer target of Arsene Wenger.
With Arsenal highly unlikely to get into the Champions League, could Everton compete on level terms?
2 – Joe Hart (Torino), goalkeeper
Hart got used to Champions League nights at Manchester City but such occasions won't be forthcoming at Torino and neither will Europa League football.
Joe Hart looks on during England training
With uncertainty over who is the best option to be Everton's goalkeeper in the current squad, Hart has the Premier League experience to make the position his own.
Bookmakers 888Sport recently made Everton the favourites to sign him.
3 – Ever Banega (Inter Milan), midfielder
One of the Milan clubs will not be competing in Europe next season and there's even an outside chance that both could miss out in favour of Fiorentina.
That should put scouts around the continent on high alert.
Ever Banega
Inter's Argentinian attacking midfielder Banega would represent a real transfer coup for Everton as he is on Atletico Madrid's radar.  With six goals this season, he's close to being the answer to Ronald Koeman's desire for a midfielder who can contribute 10 or more goals a season.
4 - Jannik Vestergaard ( Borussia Mönchengladbach), centre-back
Monchengladbach could still creep into the Europa League spots in Germany but it's far from assured.
Everton's desire to sign a centre-back this summer is well-known and they were previously linked with Vestergaard in 2015 when he was at Werder Bremen.  He can read the game well, is a tough tackler and at 6ft 5ins could handle the aerial challenges of English football.
Moenchengladbach's defender Jannik Vestergaard celebrates
Having only arrived at Monchengladbach from Werder Bremen for around £10m last summer, it could take a hefty transfer fee to make a deal.
But his team will have gone from Champions League football this season to potentially no European football next season.
5 – Wesley Hoedt (Lazio), centre-back
Everton can compete on equal terms with Lazio in offering Europa League football next season, with the Rome club, in fourth, unable to catch Napoli in third to get into the Champions League.
It opens up another centre-back option for Ronald Koeman – Wesley Hoedt.
Wesley Hoedt of SS Lazio
The Dutch 23-year-old broke into his national squad this year.
He's comfortable on the ball and strong in the air and was subject to a £9 million transfer bid by Leicester City in January.
6 - Gaston Pereiro (PSV Eindhoven), attacking midfielder/forward
PSV, in third, are on the verge of missing out on the Champions League, as they need to overhaul Ajaz in second.  Their talented 21-year-old winger may feel it's time to make the step to a bigger league as a result.
Gaston Pereiro of PSV
It can be a risk to take players from the Dutch league because of the step up in quality to play in the Premier League.  But Pereiro, who has scored 10 times this season and played on both flanks, was recommended as a useful squad player to Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham by former PSV coach Aad de Mos.
7 - Nikola Kalinic (Fiorentina), striker
This would be a signing which would demonstrate Everton's ambition.
Fiorentina lie in eighth in Serie A, two places off European qualification, but with the tenth highest goalscorer in the league on their books.
Nikola Kalinic of Fiorentina
The Croatian 29-year-old has an admirable scoring record with 20 goals in 30 appearances this season.
Importantly, he netted five times in seven Europa League appearances.
He's rumoured to be a target for Borussia Dortmund though and is valued at around £16 to £20 million.
8 – Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), midfielder
Although his stock has fallen since his captivating role in Leicester's title-winning season, Mahrez remains an extremely gifted footballer.
He's known to be keen on a move to Barcelona but that dream may have faded with Leicester's league performance this season.
Riyad Mahrez
His return of four goals in nine Champions League games for the Foxes shows he can do it on Europe's biggest stage.  If the offers from the top tier of European clubs aren't forthcoming, he could make an exciting addition at Goodison

Everton's next sponsor SportPesa to move European Headquarters to Liverpool waterfront
EXCLUSIVE: The Global betting firm wants to move to Farhad Moshiri's Royal Liver Building
By Greg O’Keeffe
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
The global betting firm set to become Everton's new shirt sponsor will move its European headquarters to Liverpool's waterfront.  SportPesa hope to create around 100 jobs within the next 18 months, and are believed to be close to agreeing a deal for offices in the Royal Liver Building.
Last month the ECHO revealed that Everton's billionaire majority investor had jointly bought the Liver Building, and his club's new main sponsor could also arrive there by July.
SportPesa, who also sponsor Hull City and have major commercial deals with Arsenal, Southampton, La Liga and the Kenyan Premier League, have been visiting Liverpool over the past few months.
Director of Global Strategy, Ivo Bozukov said “After months of careful consideration, we have identified Liverpool as the preferred city to call home.  “Liverpool provides us with a number of key factors, such as the wealth of local talent in nearby universities, strong IT and business infrastructure to service a forward-thinking and pioneering enterprise, and most of all a passion for sports second to none in the world.”  SportPesa is well-known throughout Africa for accelerating development through technology, sports development and social investments impacting the community.
Kenyan gambling website SportPesa already sponsor Hull City
Similar community initiatives will soon be introduced and available throughout Merseyside and the UK as a whole.  It is understood that Liverpool beat off competition from a list of European cities that included the likes of London, Manchester and Madrid.
Bozukov concluded, “As a city, Liverpool has a very proud history, unique identity and an exciting future – a future that we would be proud to be a part of.”
SportPesa is expected to open its European HQ in late July 2017.

Everton's next sponsor SportPesa to move European Headquarters to Liverpool waterfront
EXCLUSIVE: The Global betting firm wants to move to Farhad Moshiri's Royal Liver Building
By Greg O’Keeffe
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
The global betting firm set to become Everton's new shirt sponsor will move its European headquarters to Liverpool's waterfront.  SportPesa hope to create around 100 jobs within the next 18 months, and are believed to be close to agreeing a deal for offices in the Royal Liver Building.
Last month the ECHO revealed that Everton's billionaire majority investor had jointly bought the Liver Building, and his club's new main sponsor could also arrive there by July.
SportPesa, who also sponsor Hull City and have major commercial deals with Arsenal, Southampton, La Liga and the Kenyan Premier League, have been visiting Liverpool over the past few months.
Director of Global Strategy, Ivo Bozukov said “After months of careful consideration, we have identified Liverpool as the preferred city to call home.   “Liverpool provides us with a number of key factors, such as the wealth of local talent in nearby universities, strong IT and business infrastructure to service a forward-thinking and pioneering enterprise, and most of all a passion for sports second to none in the world.”  SportPesa is well-known throughout Africa for accelerating development through technology, sports development and social investments impacting the community.
Kenyan gambling website SportPesa already sponsor Hull City
Similar community initiatives will soon be introduced and available throughout Merseyside and the UK as a whole.  It is understood that Liverpool beat off competition from a list of European cities that included the likes of London, Manchester and Madrid.
Bozukov concluded, “As a city, Liverpool has a very proud history, unique identity and an exciting future – a future that we would be proud to be a part of.”  SportPesa is expected to open its European HQ in late July 2017.

Does Manchester United winning Europa League help Everton?
We try to work out the European permutations
By David Prentice
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Jose Mourinho has targeted the Europa League as Manchester United's most realistic chance of reaching next season's Champions League.  And Marcus Rashford's sublime free-kick at Celta Vigo has put them halfway to the final in Sweden on May 24.  But does Manchester United winning the Europa League actually help Everton ?  If United win the Europa League and increase England's Champions League contingent to five, England would then only have two Europa League entrants.  The third Europa League berth allocated to England would be left unfilled, with the highest ranked team in the first qualifying round receiving a bye to the second qualifying round.
As things stand, that team will be Aberdeen, of Scotland.
Everton would be one of England's two entrants, but when?
Some believe that both teams should go straight into the Group Stages - which start in September.
But Everton are currently expecting their Europa League campaign to kick-off in July, in the third qualifying round.
So when will Everton's 2017/18 season kick-off?.
What UEFA say
We asked UEFA's Media relations team what United winning the Europa League would mean for Everton. And they responded - promptly.
"We refer you to Article 3 and in particular Article 3.9 of our Competition Regulations. This should help to make the various scenarios clearer for you."
Unfortunately ... it doesn't.
Feel free to run through the small print published at the bottom of this article. We have. And are none the wiser.
What do Everton think?
Blues officials are tentatively planning for a July start.
But that could change if Everton overhaul Arsenal and finish sixth.
That might sound improbable - with The Gunners two points clear of The Toffees with two games in hand.  BUT, Arsenal face Manchester United this weekend while Everton go to The Emirates for the final match of the season.  If England end up with five Champions League Group places England are likely to have one Europa League group stage place and one Europa League 3rd qualifying round place. But crucially, "there are scenarios that could see that changing."
The picture will become clearer once the final Premier League table is known.
If the UEFA Champions League titleholder and the UEFA Europa League titleholder come from the same association and do not qualify for the competition through their domestic championship, one of the following scenarios applies:
a. If the association is entitled to four places in the competition and both titleholders qualify for the UEFA Europa League through their domestic championship, the lowest-placed of the association’s UEFA Champions League representatives is automatically transferred to the UEFA Europa League (into the UEFA Europa League group stage where a vacancy is created). In this case, the association of the titleholders is entitled to one additional place (total of five) in the UEFA Champions League, but the combined number of places to which it is entitled in the two competitions does not change.
b. If the association is entitled to four places in the competition and only one titleholder qualifies for the UEFA Europa League through its domestic championship, the lowest-placed of the association’s UEFA Champions League representatives is automatically transferred to the UEFA Europa League (into the UEFA Europa League group stage and the access list will be rebalanced accordingly). In this case, the association of the titleholders is entitled to one additional place (total of five) in the UEFA Champions League, but the number of places to which it is entitled in the UEFA Europa League does not change.
12 I – General Provisions c. If the association is entitled to four places in the UEFA Champions League and neither titleholder qualifies for the UEFA Europa League through its domestic championship, the lowest-placed of the association’s UEFA Champions League representatives is automatically transferred to the UEFA Europa League (into the UEFA Europa League group stage and the access list will be rebalanced accordingly). In this case, the association of the titleholders is entitled to one additional place (total of five) in the UEFA Champions League and one additional place (total of four) in the UEFA Europa League.
d. If the association is entitled to fewer than four places in the UEFA Champions League and both titleholders qualify for the UEFA Europa League through their domestic championship, they are entitled to play in the UEFA Champions League in addition to the association’s other UEFA Champions League representative(s). In this case, the combined number of places to which the association of the titleholders is entitled in the two competitions does not change.
e. If the association is entitled to fewer than four places in the UEFA Champions League and one titleholder qualifies for the UEFA Europa League through its domestic championship, both are entitled to play in the UEFA Champions League in addition to the association’s other UEFA Champions League representative(s). In this case, the combined number of places to which the association of the titleholders is entitled in the two competitions is increased by one.
f. If the association is entitled to fewer than four places in the UEFA Champions League and neither titleholder qualifies for the UEFA Europa League through its domestic championship, both are entitled to play in the UEFA Champions League in addition to the association’s other UEFA Champions League representative(s). In this case, the combined number of places to which the association of the titleholders is entitled in the two competitions is increased by two.

Ronald Koeman says Aaron Lennon has full support in recovery from illness
• Everton manager pledges long-term backing over stress-related condition
• Koeman suggests social media adds to pressure on modern-day footballers
By Andy Hunter
Thursday 4 May 2017 Guardian
Ronald Koeman has said Everton will give Aaron Lennon all the time he needs to recover from a stress-related illness and insisted Premier League clubs do provide support for players with mental health problems.  The Everton winger is receiving treatment having been detained under the Mental Health Act on Sunday by police who were concerned for the 30‑year‑old’s welfare. Koeman admitted he has not encountered a situation like Lennon’s during his managerial career but believes the players of today are under greater pressure due to social media and the profile of the sport. The manager assured Lennon that Everton’s only concern is that he makes a full recovery, however long that takes.
Ronald Koeman vows to see out Everton contract despite Barcelona ‘dream’
“If it is a long-term problem he will have our long-term support,” said Koeman, who has not spoken to Lennon while he is receiving care. “Aaron still has one or two years more of contract [it is one year] and we will support him and help him to come back. If it takes time, it takes time, but we will do it. We won’t drop the support to him. Of course, we would like to see him back but what is important now is for him to be like he was. Life, health, is more important than football.”
Koeman refused to go into detail on Lennon’s condition or recovery, insisting: “It is a private matter and it is best we keep it inside between the club, the player and his family.”
But, despite claims by the Professional Football Association that more should be done to help players with mental health problems, the Everton manager believes assistance is available throughout the Premier League. “What I saw at Southampton and at Everton is every Premier League club has people to help. You need to have open communication with players so if there is something they will mention it, but I think we have the people to support the players if there is any mental problem.
“On one side there is more pressure now because social media is different than it was 20 years ago and, of course, that is more pressure. There is more football, more games, international football as well: that is really tough for players.”

Everton tell Aaron Lennon he will be given "long term" support
Blues winger detained under Mental Health Act as he deals with stress-related illness
By Phil Kirkbride
4 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton say they will offer “long-term” support to Aaron Lennon - even if he is out of contract at Goodison.  Lennon is suffering with a stress-related illness and was detained under the Mental Health Act.  The 30-year-old winger had to be helped by police in Salford on Sunday afternoon when he was found at the side of a busy road close to the M602.  Lennon’s family have asked for privacy during his treatment and Ronald Koeman has echoed the sentiments of an Everton statement issued earlier this week, saying the player will be offered the support he needs.  And the Blues boss said that the club will continue to help Lennon for as long as he requires it and insists that support will not stop when his contract runs out next summer.
“Aaron is still one year more contract and of course it is a long term support if it is a long term problem,” Koeman said.  “Ok, we will support and help him to come back if it takes time, it takes time - we don’t drop the support to him.”
Koeman, who has managed nine different clubs, says he has never dealt with a case such as Lennon’s.
Greater Manchester Police are reported to have found the Everton player in a “precarious situation” on Sunday.  “Ok, we had some issues in the past with some players, they had sometimes, problems, or personal problems or family problems, but not like this situation with Aaron.”

OPINION: Get well soon, Aaron Lennon - let's hope others get the help they need too
"Everybody hurts, sometimes; talking helps, sometimes."
By Tom Evans
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
WE CAN only hope that Aaron Lennon has reached a turning point, and that whatever has been troubling him is in the past.   As Liverpool-based project Opening Up put it, it’s a shame it takes a crisis before people start talking openly about mental health.  But, in a rare example of the internet not being a cesspit filled with the very worst humanity has to offer, almost all of the comments about Lennon’s plight were supportive, sympathetic and sensitive.  Forget the Daily Mail and its weird obsession with how much people earn – hardly anyone has wheeled out the sort of blinkered rubbish which would have been common just a few years ago.  Which is great. Mental health problems affect millions of people in millions of ways, but one common symptom of depression is a feeling of isolation and uselessness. Talking not only opens up avenues to treatment, it can also help with these symptoms by itself.
Everybody hurts, sometimes; talking helps, sometimes.
But talking alone won’t make a dent in the 6,000 people who end their own lives in the UK each year.
To do that needs something more substantial – it needs doctors and psychiatrists and beds and outreach and therapy groups and medication.
In short, it needs money.
So, it’s frustrating to see that, just as the public are starting to understand what mental health is all about, the Government is starting to stop paying to make people better.  NHS England reckons mental health spending should increase by £1bn by 2021; five areas, including Sefton, are seeing their budgets for the next year cut by a total of around £4.5m.  It’s good to talk – it’s even better to make sure help is at hand for all those in need.
Keep it civil...
... though you'd be forgiven if your first thought wasn't a civil one when faced with such a face
Let’s not pretend to be shocked by Kelvin MacKenzie’s weird fantasy about Jeremy Corbyn meeting a violent end. I’m more surprised that he later realised it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to say, less than a year after Jo Cox’s murder.   Similarly, the meme doing the rounds of Samuel L Jackson pointing a gun at Theresa May’s head, daring her to say “strong and stable” ONE MORE TIME, is beyond the pale in these volatile, bad-tempered days.

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford set for £17m transfer deal to Everton
WAVING GOODBYE: Jordan Pickford is set to leave Sunderland this summer - with Everton leading the chase for his services
WAVING GOODBYE: Jordan Pickford is set to leave Sunderland this summer - with Everton leading the chase for his services
By Scott Wilson,
May 5 2017 The Northern Echo
JORDAN PICKFORD is set to lead the summer exodus out of Sunderland, with Everton increasingly confident of tying up a £17m deal for the in-demand goalkeeper.  Pickford is one of the few saleable assets in the Sunderland squad that will crash into the Championship later this month, and the club will look to cash in to help address the financial shortfall that will accompany their demotion.
The 23-year-old does not particularly want to leave Wearside, having been born in Washington and spent the whole of his career on the Black Cats’ books.  However, he has grudgingly accepted he will have to move on in order to further his career and enhance his prospects on the international stage. Having been promoted to England’s senior squad this season, Pickford will have a good chance of making the squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia provided he continues at his current rate of progress.  His availability is hardly a surprise, and a number of clubs have been monitoring him closely in the last few months as they ponder a potential summer move.  Manchester City and Liverpool have both been weighing up Pickford’s capabilities, but it is Everton who are currently at the front of queue and expected to win the race for the youngster.  Everton boss Ronald Koeman is desperate to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, having relied on Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg during the current campaign. Stekelenburg was dropped after a series of shaky displays in the first half of the season, while Robles’ limitations have been exposed on a number of occasions in recent weeks.
Koeman wants a new number one when the transfer window reopens, and has identified Pickford as his preferred option.  He is set to launch a formal approach once the season is at an end, and is confident of securing a deal for around £17m. Sunderland will be hoping to secure at least £20m for Pickford’s services, but will be mindful that their negotiating position has been weakened by their relegation.
Everton are aware they will face competition for Pickford, who has rapidly earned a reputation as the most exciting young goalkeeper in the country, but are willing to more than treble his current wages on Wearside in order to lure him to Goodison Park.  Pickford will be back between the sticks when Sunderland travel to Hull City tomorrow, and will make what is almost certain to be his final appearance for the Black Cats when they head to Chelsea on the final day of the season.  The game at Stamford Bridge will also mark Jermain Defoe’s final outing as a Sunderland player, with the striker certain to leave this summer because of a relegation clause in his contract.  Sunderland officials are powerless to prevent Defoe heading elsewhere, with Bournemouth and West Ham set to tussle for his talents.
Bournemouth came close to making a move for Defoe in January, and Eddie Howe is keen to add the 34-year-old’s experience to his developing side. West Ham are set for a radical summer overhaul that could see them add up to three new strikers, regardless of whether Slaven Bilic retains his current position as manager.

Everton could come back in for Demarai Gray as winger considers Leicester future
Transfer rumours: Big decision ahead for frustrated star but Blues are warned off Foxes goalkeeper
By Chris Beesley
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton could reignite their interest in Demarai Gray after the Telegraph reported that the winger will consider his future at Leicester City after growing increasingly frustrated over a lack of game time.
Under former manager Roberto Martinez , the Blues made a late attempt to hijack Gray's move from Birmingham City to the King Power Stadium in January 2016 but were unable to prise him away from the Midlands.  Despite pocketing an unlikely Premier League title-winners' medal within his first few months at his new club, the £3.5million man has only started nine games for the Foxes this season and his now ready to assess his future.  The England Under-21 international is facing a crucial decision at the end of the current campaign as he weighs up whether to push for a move away.  However, his situation is complicated by a £22million release clause which is apparently threatening to scare off potential suitors including Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.  Despite his lack of opportunities, the 20-year-old has shown glimpses of his promise in recent months including a wonder goal against Derby County in the FA Cup.
One player Leicester are confident of retaining though is goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who the Blues have been linked to on several occasions over the past year.  The Star report that Leicester are confident that they can fend off £35million summer raids for the Danish international who penned a bumper £100,000-a-week deal last summer.  Asked if he thinks the 30-year-old will still be a Leicester player next season, boss Craig Shakespeare said: “I do. He’s in the form of his life and he’s happy here. He’s been very, very professional and his level of performance shows that.
“He’s a very strong character. I’m not aware of any interest in him. Ultimately I think Kasper is happy here.   “He’s under a long-term contract with us and if bids come in we don’t need to sell him.”

Paul Clement offers support to Aaron Lennon as Everton winger battles stress-related illness
Swansea City boss hits out at 'stigma' attached to mental illness - and wishes Everton man a full and speedy recovery
By Neil Jones
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Swansea boss Paul Clement has offered his support to Aaron Lennon as the Everton star fights a stress-related illness.  Lennon will miss the Blues' trip to Swansea this weekend, with Everton revealing the winger is receiving care and support for an ongoing condition.  And ahead of Saturday's game at the Liberty Stadium, Clement took the time to wish the 30-year-old a quick recovery – and hit out at the “stigma” which he feels is often attached to such issues.  He said: “First of all, from my point of view and Swansea City football club's point of view we want to send our very best wishes to Aaron. We hope that he has a very speedy recovery.  “I think my view on it is that a lot of these situations go undetected, because there is a big stigma attached with mental illness and depression.  “From our point of view, we hope that if there was a player here who was in need then we would be giving everything to try and support that player.  Messages of support have flooded in following news of Aaron Lennon's stress-related condition  “A lot of the time, though, the issues are kept inside and people do not like to share those kinds of things because it can potentially be seen as a weakness.  “But that's absolutely not the case; mental illness and depression doesn't choose people that have fame or not, people who are rich or people who are poor.  “It's a very, very serious issue and there is help out there for people in the wider society – and in sport, because we are not immune to it – and you have to get help.”
Ronald Koeman, speaking at his own pre-match press conference on Thursday, said that Everton would give Lennon all the support he needs to battle the condition.  “We will support Aaron and help him to come back and if that takes time, then it takes time,” the Blues boss said.   “But the most important thing right now is he will be like he was because life and health is more important than football.”

Everton 'favourites' to sign Jordan Pickford from Sunderland this summer - report
Reports in the North East say Everton are confident of tying up a £17m deal for Sunderland goalkeeper at end of season
By Neil Jones
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton are favourites to sign Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford this summer, according to reports in the North East.  The England U21 international is expected to leave the Stadium of Light following the Black Cats' relegation from the Premier League.  A host of clubs are watching the 23-year-old, but the Northern ECHO report that Everton are increasingly confident of tying up a £17m deal .
Everton are almost certain to be in the market for a new 'keeper this summer, with neither Maarten Stekelenburg nor Joel Robles convincing Ronald Koeman this season.  And Pickford, one of the few positives during a nightmare season for Sunderland, is very much on their radar. The Blues will be expected to step up their interest when the Premier League season finishes later this month. Manchester City and Arsenal have also been linked with the shot-stopper, who earned a first call up to the senior England squad last October and who was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award this season.  Pickford is expected to line up for Sunderland for their trip to Hull City on Saturday.

Tottenham fans urged to show support for Everton star Aaron Lennon during West Ham clash
A Spurs fan group wants supporters to applaud during seventh minute of their side's game at London Stadium tonight
By Neil Jones
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
A Tottenham fans group is asking supporters to show their support for Everton star Aaron Lennon during Spurs' game with West Ham on Friday night.  The site 'Spurs News Today' wants fans to applaud in the seventh minute of tonight's Premier League clash at the London Stadium, in order to pay tribute to their former player, and to raise awareness of mental health issues within support.  The group posted a Tweet stating: “During our match at the London Stadium with West Ham on Friday night, we are asking all fans to hold a minute's applause on the 7 minute as a show of support to Aaron Lennon and to help raise awareness to mental health within the beautiful game.  “Please share with all your West Ham supporting friends. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
    A minute's applause is being held for Aaron Lennon during the 7th minute of our game v West Ham on Friday. Please spread the word. #WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/kBAcVCEDDd
    — Spurs News Today (@thfc_today) May 3, 2017
It emerged earlier this week that Lennon, who spent 10 years with Spurs between 2005 and 2015, was receiving care and treatment for a stress-related illness.  The 30-year-old has not played for Everton since February, with Blues boss Ronald Koeman stating on Friday that the winger would be given all the time he needs to make a full recovery.  Support has flooded in from across football for the former England international, with Swansea boss Paul Clement the latest to offer his backing ahead of his side's meeting with Everton on Saturday.  Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino stated on Thursday that his club had been in touch with Lennon's agent to see how they could help the situation.  “It’s true that we feel very sorry about the situation with Aaron," Pochettino said. "We want to send all our wishes that he recovers soon, to him and his family.  "The club is in contact with his agent now to see what we can do to try to help him. We all feel very sorry, he is a person that was here for nearly 10 years and, of course, Tottenham care a lot about that situation of his.   "The players, staff and all the people are very concerned about his situation.”

Seamus Coleman signs new five-year Everton contract - and vows to repay club's faith in him
Blues defender puts pen to paper on extended deal despite suffering broken leg back in March
By Neil Jones
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Seamus Coleman has vowed to repay Everton's faith in him after signing a new five-year contract at Goodison Park.  The Blues defender has put pen to paper on an extended deal despite being sidelined for the long term with a broken leg sustained on international duty.  Coleman had been due to sign the contract prior to the injury, and says it has given him a 'massive boost' in his bid to return to action.
He said: "I’m delighted to get this signed. I’ve been here for a long time and it’s a special club that means a lot to me.  “Everything had been agreed and I was due to sign it after the international break but unfortunately I got the injury. The chairman (Bill Kenwright) messaged me the night of my injury and said, ‘Don’t worry about it because when you come back this contract is still waiting for you’. That sums up what the chairman and this club is all about.  “(Majority shareholder) Farhad Moshiri also sent me cards and said the support was always going to be there. I’m delighted with how the club has handled the situation.  "Knowing that I was going to come back and sign it has definitely helped things. It’s a massive boost and gives me something to fight for.  “I want to prove my worth when I come back and show the cub were right for rewarding me with this long-term contract.”  Coleman recently returned to USM Finch Farm to begin the long road to recovery, after suffering that double fracture playing for the Republic of Ireland against Wales. He is unlikely to play again this year, but says he is enthused by the progress the Blues are making under manager Ronald Koeman.  “I’m really excited by the way things are going and the players we have signed,” he said.  “This season has been good and we’ve got Europa League football next season to look forward to. It’s exciting and it’s all about pushing ourselves. I’m really happy that I am going to be here for the foreseeable future.  “I think I’ve been very lucky with the club that I moved over from Ireland to join. I left my family back home and I joined another family over here. There have been ups and downs in my playing career - like everything - but thankfully the club reward you when you are doing well.  Coleman is enthused by the progress being made under Ronald Koeman  “This was an important contract. I’m at a good age now and I think the cub are showing good ambition and going in the right direction, so it’s really exciting.”  On his recovery, he added: “It’s a case of not doing too much too soon – it’s just baby steps at the moment - but I am getting on well so far.
“I’m starting to put more weight through the leg and I have got no pain. I’m back doing a good bit in the gym and in the pool. I’m doing exercise every day, so the recovery has well and truly started. I’m really looking forward to putting on that Blue shirt again.”

Séamus Coleman signs new five-year contract with Everton
• Republic of Ireland captain is currently out with broken leg
• Coleman admits he is delighted to commit future to club
By Andy Hunter
Friday 5 May 2017 Guardian
Everton have honoured their commitment to a new five-year contract for Séamus Coleman while the defender recovers from a double fracture to his right leg.  The Republic of Ireland captain signed the new deal on Friday having had just over two years remaining on his previous contract. Coleman had agreed terms, but not signed, before the recent international games when his leg was broken in two places by Wales’ Neil Taylor during a World Cup qualifier in Dublin.  Everton’s chairman, Bill Kenwright, reassured the 28-year-old on the night of the injury that his contract remained on the table. The agreement gives Coleman a major lift as he begins a long rehabilitation process and would ensure the £60,000 signing from Sligo Rovers serves 13 years at Goodison Park.  Coleman said: “It’s a special club that means a lot to me. Everything had been agreed and I was due to sign it after the international break but unfortunately I got the injury. The chairman messaged me the night of my injury and said ‘Don’t worry about it because when you come back this contract is still waiting for you’. That sums up what the chairman and this club is all about.  “Farhad Moshiri [Everton’s major shareholder] also sent me cards and said the support was always going to be there. I’m delighted with how the club has handled the situation. Knowing that I was going to come back and sign it has definitely helped things. It’s a massive boost and gives me something to fight for. I want to prove my worth when I come back and show the club were right for rewarding me with this long-term contract.”  The right back, who has made 247 appearances for Everton, was allowed a month at home in Donegal to recuperate from surgery and returned to Finch Farm last week to step up training. “It’s a case of not doing too much too soon – it’s just baby steps at the moment – but I am getting on well so far,” added Coleman. “I’m starting to put more weight through the leg and I have got no pain. I’m back doing a good bit in the gym and in the pool. I’m doing exercise every day, so the recovery has well and truly started. I’m really looking forward to putting on that blue shirt again.”

Seamus Coleman's new Everton contract: 'He has to be our captain next season'
The right-back put pen to paper on his new terms on Friday afternoon - much to the delight of Everton fans
By Paul Gorst
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton defender Seamus Coleman has signed a new five-year contract - and Blues fans across social media are delighted.  The right-back put pen to paper on his new terms on Friday afternoon , and thanked the club for their support as he continues to recover from a serious injury sustained on international duty back in March.  The Ireland international suffered a horrendous leg break in a 0-0 draw with Wales back on March 24, and faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.
"I’ve been here for a long time and it’s a special club that means a lot to me," he said.
"Everything had been agreed and I was due to sign it after the international break but unfortunately I got the injury.  "The chairman (Bill Kenwright) messaged me the night of my injury and said, ‘Don’t worry about it because when you come back this contract is still waiting for you’. That sums up what the chairman and this club is all about.   "I’m delighted with how the club has handled the situation. Knowing that I was going to come back and sign it has definitely helped things. It’s a massive boost and gives me something to fight for."  Coleman has established himself as one of the finest full-backs in the Premier League since signing for a mere £60k from Sligo Rovers in 2009, and Blues fans have welcomed the new deal.

Everton have revealed when their new kit will be released
Blues have sent out Twitter teaser ahead of kit launch later this month
By Phil Kirkbride
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton have today dropped a huge hint over the release date of their new kit.
The Blues posted an image on social media which read: "16.05.17".
In recent seasons Everton have released teaser images ahead of the official kit launch and today's post looks like being another with the suggestion the reveal will take place a week on Tuesday.
The kit for the 2017-18 season will again be made by Umbro and is expected to be the first Everton shirt to not have Chang as its sponsor for the first time since 2004.
The ECHO understands that African betting firm SportPesa will be the club's new main shirt sponsor.
Everton also talked optimistically in January about securing a shirt sleeve sponsor for the new campaign.
Manchester City are the only Premier League club to have officially announced a sleeve deal.

Why Everton's trip to Swansea could give Blues fans a glimpse of the future
Plenty of Everton eyes will be on Gylfi Sigurdsson at the Liberty Stadium this weekend
By Neil Jones
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton fans heading for Swansea this weekend could be forgiven for viewing the trip as something of an end-of-season inconvenience.  But those who will make the journey to South Wales on Saturday will at least be able to cast their eye over the man who, if the club get their way, will be lining up at Goodison from next season.  Gylfi Sigurdsson, we understand, is high on Everton's list of transfer targets this summer. The Swansea playmaker has been earmarked by manager Ronald Koeman and director of football Steve Walsh as the ideal man to come in and boost a squad that will fight on domestic and European fronts next term.  Little surprise, really, given the Icelandic international's form – not just this season but in recent years too.  Koeman says he wants players who can add goals to his Everton side, and Sigurdsson would certainly tick that box. Although ostensibly a midfielder, he has 42 of them since making his Premier League debut for the Swans back in 2012.  His nine strikes this season have kept Paul Clement's side in with a fighting chance of survival. His leveller at Old Trafford last weekend, scored direct from a 25-yard free kick, was yet another reminder of his game-changing qualities.
Throw in a dozen assists, usually courtesy of defence-splitting throughballs or pinpoint set-piece deliveries, and it is easy to see why Koeman is so keen to add the 27-year-old to his ranks. He's proven his worth, can Everton now enjoy his prime years?  There will be doubters. Sigurdsson has moved to a top seven club before, after all.  His move to Tottenham in 2012, when he turned down the chance to join Liverpool, was supposed to confirm his place as a top-level performer. It didn't work out; he made just 26 league starts across two seasons before being sold on to Swansea.  It was interesting to hear Alan Pardew, the former Crystal Palace and Newcastle manager, speak about Sigurdsson on Sky's Monday Night Football this week.
“He's the best No.10 outside of the top six clubs,” he remarked. “He's that good.
"The kind of figures he gets in terms of goals and assists, some No.10s at the top clubs don't get those."
Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas have both found consistency hard to come by
He has a point. Koeman has strived to drag consistency out of the likes of Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas this season, with varying success. Those two between them have scored the same number of league goals as Sigurdsson.  Koeman's use of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman, 20 and 19 respectively, and the continued presence of Arouna Kone in and around the matchday squad suggests he still has serious issues with his attacking options. Sigurdsson, although expensive, would represent a stellar addition.  That's for the medium term, though. In the short term, it will be interesting to see whether Everton have a specific plan to combat his influence on Saturday.  Idrissa Gueye's man-marking job on Eden Hazard last weekend showed Koeman's pragmatic side, will we see a repeat at the Liberty?
If Everton are to firm up their interest, it may be a good way to test Sigurdsson's character, mentality and quality.

The 10-goal a season Everton star who is battling for his future at Goodison
Royal Blue: Ronald Koeman has a decision to make over one of Everton's senior attacking players this summer
Phil Kirkbride
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
5 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
There’s a player in the Premier League who has made 143 appearances, scored 29 goals and made 20 assists. In that time, on average, he has been involved in the scoring, or creating, of almost 10 goals a season. He’s an international player but an inconsistent performer, a fans’ favourite but not necessarily one of his manager’s, having only started four of his club’s last 10 league games. Ahead of a summer in which his boss has spoken of adding “offensive” signings and bringing in players aged 26, 27 and 28, this forward is becoming a senior member of the squad and turns 30 in October. His club are returning to European competition next season and strength in depth is needed but he could find himself increasingly on the fringes. He’s out of contract next summer, but few people are talking about the final 12 months of his deal as they are others, and he’ll know this transfer window may be the last chance for one final big move.
Seamus Coleman's new Everton contract: 'He has to be our captain next season'
Do his club offer him a new contract or cash in, free up space in the budget and replace him with someone younger? Or is his track record, experience and ability – however inconsistently shown – assets that are worth a new short-term deal or, at least, enough to keep him around for the remainder of his current contract? In the pursuit of Champions League football is he the calibre of player to make a difference? Is it time to break, further, from the past and remove the lingering temptation to hand him a start in the hope that it will be one of those ‘on his day’ type of days. Or by letting him go do you risk not being able to replace that average of a 10-goal contribution in the league each season? And so what of the future of Everton’s Kevin Mirallas? On Saturday evening, at Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium, the Belgian could make his 100th league start for the Blues, on a ground where he scored his first Premier League goal but also where he was sent off, less than five minutes after coming on as a substitute. It says everything about his Everton career that you couldn’t possibly guess which side of the line his performance will fall tomorrow – if he even plays at all. In August, Mirallas responded to Koeman’s calls for him to work harder, losing a stone in weight. In November, he admitted he would have to improve after Koeman said his return of just one goal was not good enough – he’s scored three times since. And last month, he reacted angrily to being subbed early in the second-half against Manchester United – Koeman wasn’t impressed and had a word with him.

Ronald Koeman on Everton's summer transfers - and how he and Steve Walsh will agree on ALL moves
Everton boss Koeman says he and his director of football are on the same page when it comes to transfers
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman insists he and director of football Steve Walsh will agree on all Everton's transfer moves this summer. The Blues are expected to spend heavily this summer as Koeman looks to assemble a squad capable of mounting a top four challenge next term. Walsh is also leading a drive to bolster their Academy ranks but Koeman says the club’s priority is the first-team. And Koeman insists he and Walsh are on the same page when it comes to identifying transfer targets. “He knows that first of all the priority is the first team, but if the club likes to sign 16-17 year old young player and that’s future, why not?” Koeman said. “We speak about also the important signings we like to do together, of course we need to have agreement but we found it really good, we know exactly what we like and what we need for the first team.” The 10-goal a season Everton star who is battling for his future at Goodison
Asked how important it was to sign players who can improve Everton in the two remaining years of his contract, Koeman said: “Always the position of the manager is not most of the time it is not a long term position, because most of the time football changes. “What happened to (Arsene) Wenger, (Alex) Ferguson is an exception in football, and that’s what I like in the function of Steve Walsh in the club, because yes, he is for the long term because sometimes he is looking for young players because they are not first team players. "And that is his function, my function is to win every weekend, but if I can help the club by giving chances to young players I will, but first of all what we need is a strong team for next season.” Koeman would again not be drawn on putting a figure on the size of the squad he wants next season, despite a return to Europe, but reiterated his desire to add players at the peak of their powers. “In two weeks we will make decisions about players and we will talk to players. "We will talk about young players who will be part of pre-season by the first-team. "But we have priorities for the first-team, and it’s always difficult in numbers - I don’t like we need six, two, we need one, we need? “Now we have six or seven injuries at the moment, Bolasie and Coleman are long term ones. “Funes, Schneiderlin, McCarthy and Aaron Lennon now. “And we have a small squad, we have 20 players on the training ground and 10 players are under 23 in age. That is too much.

Ronald Koeman wants Everton's transfer business done early this summer
Blues boss confirms squad will start pre-season on July 3 - and he wants signings in by then
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
5 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton will return to pre-season training on July 3 - and Ronald Koeman hopes to complete his transfer business early this summer. But the Blues boss says he is braced to have to wait until the end of the window to ensure he assembles the squad he wants. Koeman has also confirmed that he has made decisions on the future of most of the current squad with a summer overhaul expected. The Everton manager confirmed on Thursday that Arouna Kone will leave at the end of the season while Oumar Niasse and Gerard Deulofeu are among a clutch of others expected to be sold. Tom Cleverley, meanwhile, will complete his permanent move to Watford on July 1. Koeman is looking to strengthen his squad in a number of areas but insists he will prioritise quality over quantity and is aiming to get a number of deals over the line as soon as possible. He said: “Always it is the best, but sometimes it is difficult, it’s all about clubs are playing until end season you have international break until June 13-14, our start of pre-season is July 3, that’s the best, but it’s not what normally happens. “Last summer, I think several teams also had that problem again, when the Premier League starts 13-14 August, it is still not the team that will start one month later.” Asked if he still had to make decisions on any of the current squad, between now and the end of the season, Koeman added: “No, with most of the players we know what we want. “Of course they need to show it always, but it’s not about now, or the weekend or the last three. I think a football player needs to be motivated always, they don’t need the fans, the manager (to do it). "The fans pay good money, the club, and your professional ambition needs to always have motivation. If not, the player is not playing. “If a player is not playing or starting for that we have the whole week session and training, and then we have the first X1.” On his summer plans, Koeman said: “First quality, sometimes in some positions it is good to have good back-ups. "It can be a young player, we can have a young player as back up and if not we can sign some players as back up because we hope to play in Europe and it will be tough.”

Is Swansea City v Everton on TV? Plus everything else you need to know
Ian Doyle with the preview to what's what down in South Wales later today
BYIAN DOYLE
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
WOULD SIGURDSSON BE A PERFECT FIT FOR EVERTON?
Well, if isn't that most resplendent of footballing hours, 5.30pm on Saturday evening. Who said nobody considers the fans, eh?
Want a ticket? Tough, they've all sold out.
However, the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport. Also, the ECHO website will be running a live blog from Phil Kirkbride and Neil Jones at the Liberty Stadium with David Prentice and Chris Beesley in ECHO headquarters in Old Hall Street, Liverpool. You can select the game on the Nissan Match Choice at 10.30pm on Sky Sports 1. Highlights can be spotted on Match of the Day, which is on BBC1 at 10.20pm.
Who is the referee?
Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle. He's officiated three Everton games this season, including the 1-1 draw at home to Swansea City back in November. The other matches, also at Goodison, were the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day, and the 2-1 FA Cup third round loss to Leicester City.
Who should I look out for in the Swansea team?
You don't need telling which opposing player Everton fans will be taking a keen interest in. But we will anyway. It's Gylfi Sigurdsson, the long-time Blues target who has knocked in a tidy 10 goals for the relegation-threatened Swans.
It's Paul Clement.
He didn't get beyond non-league as a player, but forged a reputation as an Academy coach at Chelsea and Fulham. Clement progressed to assistant manager under Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, and then briefly worked as a coach for Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean. Next up was following Ancelotti to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid as assistant boss, before taking the main job at Derby where he was sacked after less than a season with the Rams fifth in the Championship. Another assistant stint under Ancelotti at Bayern Munich awaited this summer until Swansea came calling in January. For Everton, Morgan Schneiderlin, Aaron Lennon, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori and James McCarthy are all out. Jefferson Montero is missing for Swansea while Angel Rangel is back in training but isn't yet ready for an appearance.
What happened the last time the sides met?
Back in November, Bob Bradley – remember him? – was the Swansea manager and saw his side go ahead through Sigurdsson's first-half penalty. And it took an 89th-minute strike from Coleman to earn Everton a point their performance scarcely deserved, to be honest.
Any other interesting stuff I should be aware of?
Swansea have never won a home league game against Everton, but are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the sides. The Swans have the worst defence in the Premier League this season, while Everton have only two wins in their last 15 away games. Remarkably, Everton have not lost a league match anywhere in Wales since 1956. And if Ronald Koeman's men don't score, it'll be the first time since April 2006 the Blues have gone three successive league games without scoring.
What should I be betting on?
Something's got to give today, and it'll be the defences. Over 4.5 goals is a long shot, but could come in at 11/2 in some markets. Otherwise, Enner Valencia first goalscorer at 8/1 could do the business. There aren't many games left this season, so no point in betting on dead certs, is there?

Horne - Everton and football will do the very best for Aaron Lennon
Our ECHO columnist discusses mental health... and whether the Blues should pursue Gylfi Sigurdsson
Barry Horne
BYBARRY HORNE
6 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
Like everybody, I want to wish the very best for Aaron Lennon. His case, though, is timely because mental health has been very prominently featured in the media of late. Prince Harry and William both spoke frankly about how they have dealt with the death of their mother, Princess Diana, and that seemed a co-ordinated attempt to raise awareness of the issue. It worked brilliantly, and there has been plenty of coverage on the back of that. The coverage has been very discrete and sympathetic, there's been no conjecture and instead just the dry reporting of facts. That's exactly how it should be. It also shows that mental health is an ongoing problem. For the charities involved, having a current Premier League footballer suffering from a mental health problem is a double-edged sword. It's guaranteed exposure, but at the same time football has instead become the overriding issue. I asked a few people what they thought of the coverage this week in light of Lennon's incident, and what the message was. Responses have included things such as football is a stressful job, clubs should do more, footballers struggle when their careers are finishing, and a lot of footballers suffer from depression. But that's not all necessarily true. Yes, football is a stressful job but most jobs are stressful in one way or another. Mind, the mental health charity, reckon that one in four adults in the UK will suffer from some sort of mental illness each year, and one in six will have a depression-related illness. A lot of footballers past and present have come out and spoken about their problems regarding depression or mental illness, but one in six would equate to an awful lot of footballers. Mental health is a problem for everybody, the whole of society. Footballers are no different in that respect. Some people are saying clubs and the PFA should do more but the point is that all good employers should do more. In fact, I would argue that football clubs probably do more than most by a significant degree to look after the mental welfare of their employees. It's in their interests to do so. It's also about education. They run programmes about the dangers of being a footballer, such as addictions, they inform how careers will come to an end one day, some prematurely, and how players have to be prepared for life after football. With Aaron Lennon, the issue has become about football, but it should be about all employers. The message should be that mental health doesn't care about fame or wealth or status. There is a lot wrong with football at the moment, but I'm not sure it deserves some of the negative connotations of some of the articles I've read this week. I'm sure Everton are doing everything in their powers to help out Aaron, as they would with any player in their care. Sigurdsson is strange - but I'd take him at Everton
Everton target Gylfi Sigurdsson is a strange player.
I've watched Swansea City more than any other Premier League team during the last three or four seasons, and Sigurdsson's end product each year is better than his overall involvement in games would suggest. Yes, he is capable of dominating games, as I think he did last weekend at Manchester United. But equally the attacking midfielder can pass through a 90 minutes fairly unnoticed and then out of nowhere create a goal or score a goal. Sigurdsson's statistics certainly indicate that he's a player who most teams outside the top six would covet. He doesn't give the impression he'd be capable of a phenomenally high workrate on a consistent basis. But he often does his job quietly and you can't argue with that end-product ratio – it's right up there with some of the best. Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates scoring a free-kick against Manchester United
I'd be happy for him to join Everton but at the back of my mind there is the fact Swansea haven't traditionally been a pressing team or a hard-working team without possession, which is very much en vogue at the moment. But Sigurdsson produces. And, ultimately, that's what counts. Still time for Koeman to learn Everton are almost guaranteed to finish seventh, but it doesn't mean the season is completely done and dusted. I always think that this time of the campaign represents a chance to give a few youngsters a game, and for the manager to find out a bit more about his players. You always want players who can perform when the pressure is on. But the very best are the ones who maintain that standard when the pressure isn't really there. They produce when there's not a great deal riding on the game, which is, let's be honest, is the situation Everton find themselves in now. If there's anything for Ronald Koeman to learn ahead of next season, it'll be which of his players fit that bill.

Ronald Koeman on Gylfi Sigurdsson, and how Everton will combat Swansea's dangerman
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman says Everton must cope with the deadly set-piece delivery of Swansea City talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Blues boss has described the Iceland international as a “really good player” and is expected to launch a summer move for the 27-year-old. Swansea made it clear that Sigurdsson wasn’t for sale last summer or in January but Everton look like testing their resolve again. Everton travel to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (5:30pm) to face the relegation threatened Swans who are two points from safety with three games to go. Koeman insists the Blues will not perform a man-marking job on Sigurdsson, as they did on Chelsea’s Eden Hazard last weekend, but the Blues boss says they must be able to deal with his expert free-kicks and corners.  “Sigurdsson is a different player than Hazard," he said. "Yes, he's also really important for them, maybe we have to think about what we will do for free-kicks, maybe that is more of an issue for this weekend that individual play. “Because he is really a good player.”

How Everton should line up at Swansea City: Koeman may want to roll the dice
Blues boss could shuffle his pack to try and get a reaction to improve poor away record
BYCHRIS BEESLEY
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Injuries don't really allow for too many changes to be made to the Everton side for tonight's game with Swansea. So maybe a tweak in formation might be required to freshen things up, given the personnel available. Everton could go 4-2-3-1, though effectively thrown a little caution to the win and play almost 4-2-4 and just go for it at the Liberty Stadium. The Blues' away form has been poor in comparison to their record at home and so Ronald Koeman may want to roll the dice a little and see if he gets a reaction. Bring Ademola Lookman in from the start, tell him to stay high and wide and when he gets the ball instruct him to be direct and run at Swansea's backline. There can be nothing more fearful for a relegation threatened defence that facing a player with pace.
My team (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Holgate, Williams, Jagielka, Baines; Gueye, Davies; Barkley, Valencia, Lookman; Lukaku.
David Prentice: Give Lookman and Kenny some minutes Everton can't finish below seventh in the table. They are unlikely to climb any higher, so this is the time to be looking at one or two youngsters. I thought Dominic Calvert-Lewin was very good last weekend, but I'd be starting him and looking to give Ademola Lookman at least half an hour. And I'd be looking to bring Jonjoe Kenny on at some stage, too.
My team (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Holgate, Jagielka, Williams, Baines; Gueye, Barry; Davies, Barkley, Calvert-Lewin; Lukaku.
Chris Beesley: Go for as many younger legs as possible Morgan Schneiderlin proved a big loss for the Blues at home to Chelsea and Ronald Koeman has said that he won't be back for this one so unfortunately the side will have to try and cope without the Frenchman again. I'd go for safety in numbers in midfield and while there's a strong case to recall Gareth Barry as a shield in front of the back four, I'm tempted to go for as many younger legs as possible at this stage of the season and drop Ross Barkley back to a more withdrawn role.
This will allow the bold move further upfield of blooding rookies Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman either side of main striker Romelu Lukaku The two youngsters possess quite different attributes but they represent the future of Everton more than the likes of Kevin Mirallas or Enner Valencia and certainly Arouna Kone he came in from the cold for a late cameo last weekend. My team (4-3-3): Stekelenburg; Holgate, Baines, Williams, Jagielka; Gueye, Davies, Barkley; Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Lukaku.

Everton defender Seamus Coleman ready for return to Ireland fold – next month!
Recovering Blues right-back has accepted invite to link up with national team ahead of World Cup qualifier against Austria
BYIAN DOYLE
6 MAY 2017  LIVERPOOL ECHO
Seamus Coleman has accepted an invitation to link up with the Republic of Ireland squad next month. The Everton right-back is on the long road to recovery having suffered an horrific double leg break while in action for his country in their World Cup qualifier against Wales in Dublin in March. Coleman is now back at Finch Farm continuing his rehabilitation after surgery, but isn’t expected to play again this year. But the 28-year-old, who on Friday signed a new five-year deal at Goodison, has agreed to link up with the Ireland squad ahead of their next World Cup qualifier at home to Austria on June 11.  “He is coming and he wants to be here,” said Ireland boss Martin O’Neill. “He certainly wants to be here for the big game coming up, absolutely. “Seamus has made some things happen for us. He got the goal against Georgia, he’s a big, big player for us, he’s the captain of the team and we would want him around. He was the one that was encouraging that himself. “That (length of stay) will be entirely up to his programme. I don’t want to take away from what he is doing with Everton because he is in their hands at this minute but he will be here for the Austria game, and maybe a day or two before. The lads would love to see him.” O’Neill has had a tetchy war of words with Everton boss Ronald Koeman over Ireland’s use of McCarthy this season.

Everton's Ross Barkley dropped as Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas come in at Swansea City
Blues boss Ronald Koeman makes two changes for Liberty Stadium showdown
By Phil Kirkbride
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ross Barkley has been dropped to the bench as Ronald Koeman makes two changes to the Everton side for today's game with Swansea City.  The Blues manager also brought Gareth Barry back into the side in Barkley's place while also recalling Kevin Mirallas to the XI, who makes his 100th league start for the club.  But Barkley's omission is the headline ahead of today's 5.30pm kick-off with relegation threatened Swansea as his contract situation rumbles on.  Koeman has kept faith with Maarten Stekelenburg and a back four of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate.
Barry joins Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye in midfield while Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in a week he has signed a new five-year deal, joins Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku up front.
Koeman has handed a place on the bench to Joe Williams who is joined as a substitute by Joel, Barkley, Ademola Lookman, Enner Valencia, Matty Pennington and Jonjoe Kenny.
Everton target Gylfi Sigurdsson starts for the Swans.
EVERTON: Stekelenburg, Baines, A Williams, Jagielka, Holgate, Barry, Gueye, Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Mirallas, Lukaku. Subs: Robles, Barkley, Valencia, Lookman, Pennington, Kenny, J Williams.

Bold Everton fan invades pitch to give Romelu Lukaku a hug during Swansea game
By Paul Gorst
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
It was a moment to remember for one Everton fan who accosted Romelu Lukaku during the game with Swansea on Saturday .  The Blues supporter invaded the pitch during the visit to the Liberty Stadium to promptly give the Premier League's top scorer a hug!  The bold Toffees fan made his move shortly before the half-hour mark in south Wales, as he ran on to give the 24-goal hitman a display of affection.
Lukaku was on the receiving end of one bold Blues supporters affections at the Liberty
The Belgium international striker initially looked bemused as the fan streamed towards him, before taking the praise with good grace.  The fan was then ushered off the pitch by stewards at the stadium as the game the continued.  It's been a memorable season for the striker this term, plundering 24 goals en route to become the Blues' all-time leading scorer in the Premier League era.  Lukaku, who signed for a club-record £28m after a season-long loan spell in 2014, has scored 66 Premier League goals for the Blues.  By reaching 20 league goals earlier in the campaign, Lukaku became the first player since Gary Lineker in 1986 to achieve the tally.  The Belgian's double in the 4-0 win over Hull on March 18 saw him become just the fourth player in Premier League history to score 80 goals before the age of 24, joining Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.  Lukaku's form saw him short-listed for the PFA Player of the Year that was eventually won by Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante last month.

Swansea score vital win over Everton to lift themselves out of Premier League bottom three
Swansea City 1 Everton 0: Fernando Llorente scored the crucial goal to take advantage of Hull's earlier defeat
May 6 2017 Independent
Swansea moved out of the Premier League relegation zone as Fernando Llorente's first-half header gave them a precious 1-0 victory over Everton.  Llorente's 13th goal of the season saw Swansea leapfrog Hull into 17th place, the Tigers punished for their earlier home defeat to already relegated Sunderland.
Swansea are now one point above Hull and firmly in charge of their own destiny with two games of the season remaining.  Everton might have had little to play for as they have already qualified for the Europa League but Swansea had to defend for their lives at times, especially in the closing stages as Paul Clement's side clung on.  The mood at the Liberty Stadium had been lifted by kick-off as news of Hull's shock defeat filtered down to south Wales.  But it was Everton who created the first opening inside 45 seconds as Romelu Lukaku headed straight at Lukasz Fabianski.  It was tight and tense with so much at stake for Swansea, the midfield was packed full of bodies and chances were at a premium.  Everton shaded possession but did little with it, and Lukaku was admonished by his captain Phil Jagielka on one occasion for losing the ball carelessly.  Swansea were too hurried in the final third but demanded a penalty when Gylfi Sigurdsson tumbled in the area.  They might have been left to stew on referee Martin Atkinson's refusal to point to the spot, but Swansea were ahead inside 60 seconds when the hard-running Jordan Ayew worked some space on the left.  Gareth Barry failed to cut out Ayew's cross and Llorente rose above Jagielka at the far post to send the Liberty Stadium into a frenzy.
The lead was almost doubled four minutes later as Sigurdsson's centre found Alfie Mawson and the goal-scoring defender was only foiled by a desperate block from Mason Holgate.
Swansea now had a definite spring in their step and Ayew and Martin Olsson combined well to create a shooting opportunity which Barry diverted for a corner.  Everton sent on Ross Barkley at half-time to find some inspiration and Swansea had to survive some anxious moments.  But the lead was almost doubled after 54 minutes when Sigurdsson drove his mis-hit shot into a crowded area. The ball struck Mawson and fell to Ayew, who smashed it on to the outside of an Everton post.
Lukaku's low shot was held by Fabianski, but Swansea threatened whenever Sigurdsson stood over a corner.  From one such set-piece Federico Fernandez's goalbound header hit the shoulder of Barkley and ballooned to safety, then Llorente met the next one to stretch Maarten Stekelenburg on his goal-line.
Swansea almost settled the contest through substitute Leroy Fer's first touch but Stekelenburg blocked his close-range effort with his legs.  Everton piled on the pressure in the final minutes, but they drew a blank for three successive league games for the first time since April 2006 as Swansea held on.

Poor Everton create unwanted history as Fernando Llorente goal earns Swansea City victory
Blues lose league game at Swans for first time in 90 minutes to forget
By Phil Kirkbride
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton lost a league game at Swansea City for the first time in their history today as Fernando Llorente's header sealed a 1-0 victory for the home side.  The Spanish striker rose above Phil Jagielka just before the half-hour mark at the Liberty Stadium to nod home Jordan Ayew's deep cross.
Everton were poor for long spells and mustered just two shots on target as their troubling away form saw them lurch to an eighth defeat of the season.
Romelu Lukaku came closest for the Blues, firing low to force Lukasz Fabianski into a routine save before hitting the side netting after finding space inside the area but Everton once again lacked cutting edge and have now not scored in their last three league games.  Swansea, who moved out of the bottom three with this win, almost scored a second when Ayew struck the post early in the second-half before Maarten Stelkelenburg produced a fine save to deny substitute Leroy Fer.  Ronald Koeman's side piled on the pressure in the closing stages but struggled to break down a resolute Swans' defence.

Fernando Llorente strikes against Everton to get Swansea out of drop zone
Swansea 1 - 0 Everton
Stuart James at the Liberty Stadium
Saturday 6 May 2017 Guardian
There are always twists and turns towards the end of a season but Swansea City could not have imagined the chain of events that would see them climb out of the relegation zone with two matches remaining. Hull City’s surprise defeat at home against Sunderland opened a window of opportunity that Swansea took full advantage of with the most precious of home victories, courtesy of yet another Fernando Llorente header.  It was his 13th goal of the season and enough to lift Swansea one point clear of Hull, who have slipped into the bottom three, with a trip to Sunderland and a home game against West Bromwich Albion to come. Swansea, in other words, are in control of their own destiny – a scenario that seemed unthinkable at the start of the day.   As for Everton, the visitors huffed and puffed but, in truth, this felt like a performance from a team that has little to play for and is looking forward to the summer. Ronald Koeman’s side have now failed to win in their last seven league matches, and their first defeat away at Swansea could not have come at a worse time from Hull’s point of view.
The result at Hull had been greeted with huge cheers around the Liberty Stadium and gave Swansea a huge incentive. In some ways it also added to the tension, and that seemed to filter through to the players in an opening 25 minutes during which nothing much happened as both teams moved the ball round with little conviction, almost afraid of committing too many players forward.
The game badly needed a goal and it arrived just before the half-hour mark, easing the tangible sense of anxiety about the home supporters in the process. Jordan Ayew was the architect, the Ghanaian twisting and turning close to the byline to get away from Gareth Barry before delivering an inch-perfect cross that implored Llorente to nod home at the far post. Towering above Phil Jagielka, the Spaniard squeezed his header past Maarten Stekelenburg and the stadium erupted. It was Llorente’s seventh headed goal of the season – more than any other Premier League player.
Belief coursed through Swansea for a period as they began to attack with more purpose. Everton looked a little rattled and Swansea should have added a second four minutes later. Gylfi Sigurdsson, who had a strong penalty appeal turned down moments before Llorente scored, managed to dig out a cross from wide on the right that evaded a clutch of players and ran through to Alfie Mawson, on the edge of the six-yard box, at the far post. The central defender looked certain to score when he lashed at the ball but Mason Holgate, Everton’s right-back, got across to make a superb block.
Everton, who started with Ross Barkley on the bench, were enjoying marginally more of the ball yet not creating too much. Their only effort on goal in the first half came in the opening minute when Romelu Lukaku headed straight at Lukasz Fabianski, the Swansea keeper, and it was no surprise when Ronald Koeman decided to make a change at the start of the second half, replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin with Barkley.  The question for Swansea now was whether they should stick or twist and go for a second goal. The latter was on the cards when Ayew swung his right boot at a ball that sat up nicely after Ki Sung-yueng’s wayward shot cannoned off Mawson, but the striker never made a clean connection and rather sliced a volley that clipped the outside of the upright. Clement through his head back in agony.
Everton were not going to roll over, however, and Lukaku, drifting into the right channel, came close to an equaliser with an inswinging cross with his left foot that slid narrowly wide of Fabianski’s far post. Cue a collective sigh of relief among the home fans.  The game was on a knife-edge and Everton, moving the ball around with more confidence, started to take control. Yet Swansea still had chances to strike again and looked particularly dangerous on set pieces. Federico Fernández met Sigurdsson’s corner with a powerful header that Barkley knew little about as the ball bounced off him and behind. Llorente won another header from the corner that followed but Stekelenburg was able to comfortably save.
Clement, eager to give Swansea some fresh energy, introduced Jack Cork and Leroy Fer. The Dutchman must have thought he had scored when he met Tom Carroll’s fine centre with a first-time shot but Stekelenburg denied him at point-blank range. Back came Everton through Lukaku, who thrashed a right-footed shot that ripped the side-netting. This, however, was destined to be Swansea’s day.

Everton ratings - Mason Holgate the one high point as Blues are floored by bunch of fives
Neil Jones was at the Liberty Stadium to run the rule over a miserable 1-0 defeat to Swansea City
By Neil Jones
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Maarten Stekelenburg 6
Beaten by a good cross for the goal, in fairness, though it was headed in from two yards out. Saves from Llorente and notably Fer after the break kept his side in it.
Mason Holgate 7
Everton's best player in the first half, though his delivery from wide was poor. Big block to deny Mawson. Quiet second half.
Ashley Williams 6
Booed, quite ridiculously, by some Swansea fans. Did okay generally. Better than his defensive partner, anyway. Got involved with Llorente late on as the home fans mocked him.
Phil Jagielka 5
Had a pretty ropey game. Hard to be overly critical of him for Llorente's goal – the striker had a run on him and is pretty formidable in the air anyway – but there were other basic errors which undermined his performance, and his distribution was poor.
Leighton Baines 5
Frustrated by a lack of movement in the first half, and a lot of Swansea's threat came down his side. Tried to get forward more in the second half, but there wasn't much quality from him.
Idrissa Gueye 5
Put himself about as usual. Nowhere near enough quality on the ball, except for a nutmeg on Fer near his own corner flag late on.
Everton's Idrissa Gueye (left) and Swansea City's Fernando Llorente battle for the ball
Gareth Barry 5
Has to do more to stop Ayew crossing for Llorente's goal. Otherwise pretty anonymous.
Tom Davies 6
More of a forward presence than Barry or Gueye, particularly in the second half. He tried, and he has a future in this team.
Kevin Mirallas 5
Looked busier than most, though his forward forays rarely carried a genuine threat. He's still to make the kind of impact Koeman wants from him. He probably never will.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 5
Struggled to get into the game, and looked a little unsure of his position when Everton attacked. It wasn't a surprise when he was replaced by Barkley at half-time.
Romelu Lukaku 5
Minimal impact in the first half, where he was second best to Mawson. A couple of shots in anger during the second half, but there wasn't much from Everton's talisman here except for a couple of late surges. Not enough.
Ross Barkley (on for Calvert-Lewin 46) 6
Was bright, looking to connect with his fellow forwards. Would like to see more of a threat though. And better corners.
Kevin Mirallas of Everton is put under pressure from Alfie Mawson of Swansea City
Enner Valencia (on for Barry 65) 5
No impact.
Jonjoe Kenny (on for Holgate 78)
On at right-back late on. Improved his team down the right.

'The flip flops are already on!' - Everton fans angry after Swansea defeat
Everton fans vented their anger online after watching their team beaten 1-0 by the relegation-threatened Swans on Saturday
By Paul Gorst
6 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Everton slipped to a second straight defeat as Fernando Llorente's header gave relegation-threatened Swansea a 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.   Spanish striker Llorente rose highest shortly before the half-hour mark to nod home the winner in a result that lifts the Welsh side out of the drop zone following Sunderland's win over Hull.  The result sees Ronald Koeman's men stay in seventh in the Premier League, and the Toffees are now three games without a win in the division.
Swansea City's Fernando Llorente (left) and Everton's Ashley Williams battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium   After the game, many fans took to social media to express their frustrations as a seventh-placed finish looks increasingly likely due to sixth-placed Arsenal having three games in hand over Koeman's men.  Everton welcome Watford to Goodison Park next week before ending their campaign away to Arsenal on May 21.
Koeman's men are without a win in three Premier League games
    Lukaku's first half highlights pic.twitter.com/O1E4RTCGcz
    — Craig Hoyland (@CraigHoyland1) May 6, 2017
    @bluegirl1878 Our season is over!! Pathetic today
    — Paul Walsh (@efc_paul) May 6, 2017
    Everton again......already got there flip flops on
    — ROB PALMER (@vegaspreacher) May 6, 2017
    Absolute garbage #efc
    — Joe Scott (@litanyoftittery) May 6, 2017
    So many players need to go. Not good enough if we want top level. Massive overhaul needed
    — EFC People's Group (@ThePeoplesGroup) May 6, 2017
    If you need 3 points to help you stay up give Everton a shout
    — John Aubrey (@EFCAubs1985) May 6, 2017
    @Everton Let the under 23s play the last 2 games the first team is garbage the last couple of games! Kenny showed something when he come on
    — toffees!!! (@steefc1984) May 6, 2017
    Everton have gone three games without scoring a goal in the Premier League for the first time since April 2006.
    — From The Stands (@FromTStands) May 6, 2017
    @PED7 Everton in the past 3 games have been shocking in the final 3rd
    — Gary Holmes (@homsey73) May 6, 2017
    Lukaku pressing the back four pic.twitter.com/WqWN1gPn9C
    — Sam (@SamEaton_EFC) May 6, 2017

Painfully predictable as old habits die hard on away days - verdict on another dismal Everton defeat
Phil Kirkbride on why Blues still aren't road warriors as they slump to uninspired 1-0 defeat at Swansea City
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
20:50, 6 MAY 2017UPDATED21:44, 6 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
Believe it or not but this Everton side will finish with fewer points away from home than they managed last season. After enduring this, maybe it's wholly believable. Defeat to Swansea City was the Blues' eighth loss of the campaign on their travels as they slumped to a first ever league defeat in this part of South Wales courtesy of Fernando Llorente's header. And the worst part? It was painfully predictable. Everton have struggled away from home all season but when you chuck in an end of term malaise that has gripped this squad, and lingered for too long in this match, then you have a recipe for only one thing. That the Blues were ineffective for large swathes of this game, rallying late but to little avail, has to be alarming for Ronald Koeman who has made changes and issued thinly veiled threats that coasting towards a conclusion will not be tolerated. The consequences of doing so could harm the long-term aspirations of many at Goodison. Yet eight shots, of which only two were on target, was the attacking sum of another insipid, uninspired away display. Road warriors, this lot are not. At home they have improved last season's historically bad tally by 17 points and turned the Old Lady into a fortress again but away from L4 the best Everton can now hope for is to finish three points shy of the total they posted in Roberto Martinez's final, ill-fated term. It was 24, in case you were wondering. Swansea City's Jordan Ayew (centre) and Everton's Ashley Williams battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium
This doesn't exactly bode well for those tricky Europa League trips next season, does it? By then, of course, Koeman will have hoped to have performed a sizeable makeover of this squad and only a handful of players who started at the Liberty Stadium could feel confident of being in his XI when the 2017-18 season kicks-off. When you look at what he has said recently, what he is working with and the recent run of displays, then a lot makes sense. Only one player in the starting XI falls into the age bracket of player Koeman wants Everton to target this summer. The mitigation – or some of it at least - for their recent performances is that injuries have hit them hard, denying them the use of key individuals such as Morgan Schneiderlin and Seamus Coleman , and it must be acknowledged that Everton improved in the final third of the game, pinning the hosts back. Swansea defended heroically in the closing stages, clutching onto three points that would take them out of the relegation zone, but Fabianski still only had two saves to make in the entire game. Everton were better in the last 20 minutes or so, but it was hardly Alamo type stuff. And, crucially, there is no excuse for anyone cruising, as too many did for too long, despite Koeman insisting that he wasn't disappointed in Everton's performance. Apparently a side with nothing to lose are a dangerous one. It's a shame nobody told the Blues. Hull's defeat to Sunderland before this game offered greater incentive to Swansea, knowing a win would drag them out of the bottom three, but it also increased the pressure; pressure Everton should have capitalised on. Sure they'd defended fairly well, though Gareth Barry will look back on the ease with which he allowed Jordan Ayew to chip to the back post for Llorente to head home just before the hour mark, and kick himself. Some may question Maarten Stekelenburg or Phil Jagielka for losing the aerial challenge, but once Everton allowed the ball to be put in that position they were asking for trouble. They'd also been reasonably organised, coped with Gylfi Sigurdsson's set-pieces and denied Swansea the levels of possession they craved – but it's what they did when they had it that is the problem: precious little. It's been an issue for some time away from home. And before they improved in the second-half, with the introduction of Ross Barkley from the bench key in that, the home side hit the post and Stekelenburg then pulled off a fine save to deny substitute Leroy Fer from close range. Had Alfie Mawson not cleared Romelu Lukaku's cross away from the line, then who knows? Had Sigurdsson not blocked Kevin Mirallas' shot from inside the area, then things may have been different but Everton can't be accepting ifs, buts and maybes. They can't turn it on and off as they see fit. Koeman has done a fine job in taking this squad into seventh this season but clearly, as their away form tells you, old habits die hard.

Romelu Lukaku's Everton blank thrills Swansea boss Paul Clement
Blues striker was limited to very few openings by dogged Swans rearguard action
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
20:54, 6 MAY 2017UPDATED20:57, 6 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
Swansea City boss Paul Clement was thrilled with the way his defence limited "top striker" Romelu Lukaku to few chances. The league's top scorer only managed to force Lukasz Fabianski into a pair of routine saves on another frustrating away day for Everton . Clement's side had to defend resolutely in the closing stages to seal a 1-0 win and he heaped praise on Swansea's centre-half pairing of Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez for the way they marshalled Lukaku. "The two central defenders that came up against him knew they were coming up against a top, top striker today," Clement said. "Someone that has got great qualities, there's not many strikers around like him who can do a bit of everything. "He's got good technique, he's powerful, he can attack crosses, he can hold the ball up, he can run at you. So they had to be really, really concentrated and the two of them working together generally kept him fairly quiet." Swansea sealed their win just before the half-hour mark when Fernando Llorente headed home Jordan Ayew's cross. The three points have dragged the Swans out of the bottom three with two games remaining. "First of all it's a fantastic win for us at this stage of the season when the stakes are so high," said Clement. "I was in confident mood heading into the game, based on our performances against Stoke and Manchester United also. "But coming back here I had a good feeling there would be an unbelievable atmosphere." Clement added: "We played against a really good team as well, we found it hard to have as much of the ball as we would've liked, especially in the second half, but it was a magnificent collective effort defensively to get the right result."

Referee Martin Atkinson leaves Everton boss Ronald Koeman fuming
Blues manager had no time for one particular decision from the official in 1-0 defeat at Swansea City
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
20:44, 6 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman was left angered by the referee's decision to play only three minutes of time added on at the end of Everton's game with Swansea City. The Blues manager and assistant boss Erwin Koeman were involved in heated exchanges with fourth official Kevin Friend after Martin Atkinson ruled how much additional time would be played at the Liberty Stadium. Five substitutions were made during the course of the second half as well as two breaks in play, with Koeman expecting to see at least five minutes added on as the Blues piled on the pressure late in the game in pursuit of an equaliser. But Atkinson's decision to only play an extra three minutes left the Everton manager and his brother incensed. Everton's Kevin Mirallas rues a missed chance at Swansea “I was expecting at least five minutes, and we got three! Why is that?" Koeman asked. “I think we had two times when the game was stopped for at least two minutes totally, and we had five or six changes in the game.  “And then we have three minutes? I don't understand that. We discussed with the fourth official. That's all we can do."

Ronald Koeman on how Everton's travel sickness is giving him striking headache
Blues boss bemoans lack of cutting edge after dismal defeat at Swansea City
BYNEIL JONES
20:31, 6 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman admits he is concerned by Everton's attacking output in recent weeks – but says he will do all he can to fix it. The Blues were far from impressive in slipping to a 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Swansea City. Fernando Llorente's first-half header settled matters at the Liberty Stadium, with Everton rarely looking like getting back into the contest despite a predictable surge late in the game. The visitors managed just two shots on target in the 90 minutes, continuing a worrying recent theme. Indeed, in their last three outings they have tested the opposing keeper just five times. It's a problem Koeman says he is very much aware of.  “If we take out a problem from the last few games, then it is that – the productivity,” he told his post-match press conference. “We didn't score in our last three games, we have only had four or five shots on target, but we know what we need to improve and do to be stronger. “Most other things in the team are really good. The organisation, defending, the way we can play with aggression is good. But the difference between scoring goals at home and away from home is too big. “It is difficult to find why. Maybe we are more confident at home, but we have found it difficult to create away." Asked if it was harder to fix an attacking issue than a defensive one, given the sums needed to sign top-class forward players, Koeman said: “You have to try. You have to make decisions that will get more productivity in the team.” The Dutchman's press conference had begun with him being asked whether he was disappointed with his side's diaplay. “It was not a disappointing performance,” he answered. “You are disappointed if the team doesn't show the right attitude, like West Ham away. “This game was different. They scored a goal, and we didn't! “We had a lot of ball possession, and in the last part of the game they fought for their lives – good defending in stopping the crosses. We didn't stop the cross, and it cost us.”

Romelu Lukaku's Everton blank thrills Swansea boss Paul Clement
Blues striker was limited to very few openings by dogged Swans rearguard action
BYPHIL KIRKBRIDE
20:54, 6 MAY 2017UPDATED20:57, 6 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
Swansea City boss Paul Clement was thrilled with the way his defence limited "top striker" Romelu Lukaku to few chances. The league's top scorer only managed to force Lukasz Fabianski into a pair of routine saves on another frustrating away day for Everton .  Clement's side had to defend resolutely in the closing stages to seal a 1-0 win and he heaped praise on Swansea's centre-half pairing of Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez for the way they marshalled Lukaku. "The two central defenders that came up against him knew they were coming up against a top, top striker today," Clement said. "Someone that has got great qualities, there's not many strikers around like him who can do a bit of everything. "He's got good technique, he's powerful, he can attack crosses, he can hold the ball up, he can run at you. So they had to be really, really concentrated and the two of them working together generally kept him fairly quiet." Swansea sealed their win just before the half-hour mark when Fernando Llorente headed home Jordan Ayew's cross. The three points have dragged the Swans out of the bottom three with two games remaining. "First of all it's a fantastic win for us at this stage of the season when the stakes are so high," said Clement. "I was in confident mood heading into the game, based on our performances against Stoke and Manchester United also. "But coming back here I had a good feeling there would be an unbelievable atmosphere." Clement added: "We played against a really good team as well, we found it hard to have as much of the ball as we would've liked, especially in the second half, but it was a magnificent collective effort defensively to get the right result."

Seamus Coleman deal was good move by Everton – but they still need a right-back this summer
Irishman's injury has merely highlighted how short Blues are in full-back positions
Ian Doyle
BYIAN DOYLE
05:00, 7 MAY 2017
Liverpool Echo
As supportive gestures go, it was right up there. Seamus Coleman signing a new five-year deal with Everton was, as the player admitted, a “massive boost” as he begins on the long road to recovery following his horrific double leg break. The contract had been agreed before the defender headed out for international duty with the Republic of Ireland and the fateful clash with Wales in Dublin. His commitment to the Goodison cause now extends to the summer of 2022 when he'll be 33, while his popularity among his national team is such that he's accepted an invite to join up with the Ireland squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Austria next month. Coleman, of course, won't be involved in the game itself. Nor is he expected to be seen in a Blue shirt until next year at the earliest. And that's why Everton will be on the lookout this summer for somebody who can initially replace the rehabilitating Coleman in the short term and subsequently challenge him for his position in the longer term. The Blues are lacking real strength in depth in the position. When Coleman missed the start of the season with an ankle issue, Mason Holgate was tried out at right-back and James McCarthy as right wing-back as Ronald Koeman switched to a back three. In recent weeks, Holgate has again assumed the role, but he appears more comfortable at centre-back, while teenager Callum Connolly, who made his debut at the end of last season, has been on loan at Wigan Athletic. Then there's Jonjoe Kenny, the skipper of the triumphant under-23 side this campaign but who had played just 61 minutes of top-flight football before his late cameo at Swansea City yesterday. The Blues have known for some time of the potential problems at right-back, having been beaten by West Ham United to the signing of Sam Byram from Leeds United in January 2016. Seamus Coleman of Everton works on his recovery from injury at Finch Farm
Indeed, the same could be said of the opposite flank, with Leighton Baines the only realistic option given the travails this season of Brendan Galloway and Luke Garbutt and departure of Bryan Oviedo. Coleman's injury has simply highlighted how Everton must this summer strengthen if not in both full-back areas, then most definitely on the right flank. When he returns, the Irishman is likely to find genuine competition for his place. But, knowing Coleman, he wouldn't want it any other way.

Everton plotting £45million double raid on two of European football's giants
Transfer rumours: Koeman makes Klaassen his number one target while also eyeing up Romagnoli
BY CHRIS BEESLEY
7 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
Everton manager Ronald Koeman is plotting a double raid on two of European football's giants this summer to land Davy Klaassen of Ajax and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli report the Mirror. According to Simon Mullock , the Blues boss has made Dutch compatriot Klaassen his number one target which is bad news for Wayne Rooney whose chances of an emotional return to Goodison could be scuppered his his former club land the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.  Klaassen produce a masterclass performance in Ajax's 4-1 victory over Lyon in the Europa League semi-final first leg from a private executive box at the Amsterdam Arena. He could now be ready to sanction a £20million bid for Klaassen and hand him the number 10 role next season. Capped 11 times by the Netherlands with three international goals, Klaassen rose through the ranks at Ajax's fabled youth academy and now captains the first team. He has played 175 matches so far for the club and has scored 53 times with his figures for this season being 43 games and 18 goals. Another big name on Koeman's wish list is Italian international Romagnoli with Neil Moxley reporting that the Blues boss is considering a £25million summer move. The article says that Koeman has made the signing of a top class goalkeeper his priority with Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel his number one choice and Jordan Pickford of relegated Sunderland the back up. However, there is also scope to beef up the defence with doubts over the long term future of Ramiro Funes Mori and captain Phil Jagielka eyeing a potential move to the USA to play in MLS. Although just 22, Romagnoli, who has been capped five times by Italy, has already amassed over a century of Serie A matches for Roma, Sampdoria and current club Milan.
Although he is contracted to the Rossoneri for another three seasons, the shift in the financial landscape of European football ensures that Italian clubs are no longer the top payers and he could find the wages on offer at Everton a lucrative proposition. Meanwhile, the Mail report that Newcastle United could revive their attempts to sign Everton midfielder James McCarthy if manager Rafael Benitez is handed the transfer war chest he wants. The former Liverpool boss is due to hold talks with Mike Ashley over the coming days about the kind of budget he could be given to try and re-establish the newly-promoted Magpies in the top flight and the Spaniard wants to sanction a £20million move for the Republic of Ireland international.

'For Everton, the summer cannot come soon enough' - what the papers said about the Blues' defeat at Swansea
Ronald Koeman's side did not impress the national media as they slid to a first league defeat at the Liberty Stadium
BY NEIL JONES
7 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
The Blues were merely a sideshow in Saturday evening's real story, as Swansea's win at the Liberty Stadium moved Paul Clement's side out of the Premier League relegation zone. For the Blues fans who made the long journey to South Wales, there was little to cheer. At least they don't have to go back there for a while. Accordingly, most of the reports on the game focus on Swansea, with Ronald Koeman's side receiving mainly a passing mention. "Everton have gained just four away points since January and for them the summer cannot come soon enough. "Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager, retained Ashley Williams, who was making his first return to the Liberty since his August move and was childishly jeered throughout. But he defenestrated Ross Barkley and Enner Valencia in favour of Kevin Mirallas and Gareth Barry, who would spend the game bound by invisible chains to Swansea’s mischief-maker in-chief, Gylfi Sigurdsson. "Everton occupied the ground between intense and lethargic, and moments after they might have conceded a penalty when Barry clattered Sigurdsson in the box, they lost concentration and the game." "They have failed to win in any of their last seven matches on the road and the lack of conviction in their attacking play must be a source of concern for the Everton manager. "Everton have failed to score in their last three matches and registered only five attempts on goal during that run. In fact it is hard to escape the feeling that, with little to play for between now and the end of the season, his players’ minds have already drifted to the summer. “We know what we need to improve,” said Koeman. “Most of the things in the team are really good, [such as] the defending and organisation, but the difference between scoring goals at home and away from home is too big.” "Koeman tried to change things against Swansea by starting with Ross Barkley on the bench but Everton looked flat in the first half. Barkley was introduced at the restart and, although Everton had much more possession in the second half, the visitors created little of note." 'Koeman's men seemed like they were on the beach' - Adrian Kajumba, The Mirror "Ronald Koeman's men seemed like they were on the beach already, certainly in the first half. "There was a slight improvement after the break when Ross Barkley came on but it was all in vain and Lukasz Fabianski was rarely troubled. "The Toffees are only two points behind sixth-placed Arsenal. "But their lack of intensity and urgency was quite possibly because they know that with three games in hand, the Gunners are likely to end up finishing above them anyway. "They have also already guaranteed at least seventh place and Europa League football so decided to take it easy at Swansea. "Ashley Williams would be less impressed with some Swansea supporters though. "After eight seasons at the club, over 350 appearances and leading them from League One to the Premier League he might have expected to be warmly welcomed back. "But a section of the Liberty Stadium crowd decided to ignore the pleas of manager Paul Clement and boo his every touch. "And after he clashed with Fernando Llorente late on, Swansea fans branded him "a s**t Alfie Mawson." "Harsh and some way to treat someone who did so much for the club." "Clement was all too aware this represented the trickiest of fixtures: the Premier League’s leakiest defence meeting the division’s top scorer in the person of Romelu Lukaku. "Clement instructed the young centre-back Alfie Mawson and his partner Federico Fernández to smother their free-scoring visitor. It worked: Lukaku’s main contribution to the first half was hugging a pitch invader who ran on to greet him."

Romelu Lukaku branded 'lazy' as Martin Keown tears into Everton for having 'their flip flops on'
Ex-Blues defender was unimpressed with what he saw at the Liberty on Saturday
BYPAUL GORST
7 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
Romelu Lukaku was branded "lazy" by Martin Keown as he criticised Everton for their performance in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Swansea . The relegation-threatened Swans secured a vital three points at the Liberty Stadium as Fernando Llorente's header moved them out of the Premier League drop zone. The result means it's now three games without a win for Ronald Koeman's side, and 24-goal hitman Lukaku was subdued for large parts of the game in south Wales. Martin Keown was unhappy with Everton's performance against Swansea
Former defender Keown, who played for the Blues from 1989-1993, was disappointed with the display. He said: "If ever there was a contrast between Llorente and Lukaku [it was today]. "Lukaku, for me lazy, on the day, not moving into position. "It was an Everton team that came out on the pitch with their flip flops on. They were not in the right mode, at all. "Lukaku not moving, and they're not even looking at him. It was a really good, professional performance [from Swansea] and Paul Clement can be delighted with that." The Blues are looking increasingly likely to finish seventh in the Premier League, with sixth-placed Arsenal two points above them with three games in hand.

Jonjoe Kenny reveals what Ronald Koeman told him before first Everton appearance of the season
Young full back came on as a late substitute at Swansea
BYNEIL JONES
7 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Jonjoe Kenny has revealed what Ronald Koeman asked of him after his first Everton appearance of the campaign. The 20-year-old full-back emerged for the final 12 minutes of the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Swansea on Saturday. Kenny made his Everton debut on the final day of last season against Norwich, but has spent this year with the U23s, captaining David Unsworth’s side to the Premier League title. He will be presented with that trophy at Goodison Park on Monday night, and hopes to be involved for the first team when they take on Watford on Friday. Koeman said he was pleased with the youngster’s contribution at the Liberty Stadium, though Kenny admits he had mixed emotions. “When you come on, you’ve got to try and influence the game as best as you can,” he said. “You want to help the team to get the win. “The manager’s instructions were to just get up and down, put some crosses in and do what I’ve done well for the Under-23s, so I tried to put that into the game  “I enjoyed coming on. It’s been a long season but at the end of the day, we didn’t get the result we wanted. We needed the three points so it was a tough afternoon.” Kenny added: “Fair play to Swansea - they set up well, were defensively organised and were tough to break through. “The lads dug in, showed good attitude but it wasn’t the result we wanted.”

Everton's away day blues give Ronald Koeman much to ponder - but why have they struggled on the road?
Blues have taken just 18 points from their 18 away league games this season - and Koeman doesn't know why
Neil Jones
BY NEIL JONES
7 MAY 2017  Liverpool Echo
For Ronald Koeman , the question prompted little more than a shrug of the shoulders and a puff of the cheeks. He was asked to explain exactly why Everton were finding it so hard to get their away form going. And guess what? He couldn’t. “It is difficult to find that out,” he admitted. “Maybe we are more confident at home? “We find it difficult to create (away) from home, which is maybe due to a lack of confidence. We don’t have that problem away.” He’s a straight shooter, the Everton manager, so when he admits he is struggling to find an answer, we should take it at face value. It’s concerning, though. Defeat at Swansea on Saturday means the Blues have taken just 18 points from 18 away league games this season. They’ve scored just 19 times, and will finish the season with fewer points on the road than in Roberto Martinez’s horrendous final campaign with the club. Koeman has managed to transform one side of Everton’s game – 12 home wins is more than Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United or Arsenal have managed – but travel sickness has undermined his side. Turning a few draws into wins and a couple of defeats into draws would have had Everton challenging for a top four spot this season. There is something that sits uneasily about a manager talking about ‘confidence’ being an issue in a team. Especially when he is referring to the difference between playing at home and playing away. Last season, Everton actually picked up more points on their travels than they did at Goodison – 24 to 23 – though it is revealing that they have only won 14 away league games across the past three campaigns. Their issues are not new. It is to be expected, generally, that a team’s home form will be its bread and butter. Only three clubs – both Manchester sides and Crystal Palace - have more away points than home in this season’s Premier League for example. Everton benefit from one of the Premier League’s only real ‘bear pit’ stadiums, and we have seen this season what they can do when they feed off that passion and aggression. Should professional footballers need it to perform, though? Everton have lost games at Burnley, Swansea More likely, Everton simply do not possess players capable of top-level performances on a week-to-week basis. They can lift it on occasion, but lack consistency. Koeman knows it; it’s why the summer cannot come soon enough for him. It wasn’t hard to spot Everton’s issues at Swansea, because there were so many of them. Their front three offered little, their midfield was one-paced and lacking in variation, and a glance at the bench showed why Koeman is so keen to see the Goodison chequebook this summer. Ross Barkley aside, of course. One thing that stood out a mile at the Liberty, though, was a lack of width. Seamus Coleman’s injury means Mason Holgate has been asked to play right back in recent weeks. The 20-year-old is a decent footballer and a fine defensive prospect, but Coleman he is not. A full back he is not, if we’re being brutally honest. When Coleman plays, so much of Everton’s play is channelled down his flank. But with Holgate there, it cannot happen. The youngster’s crossing is not up to scratch, and he is unable to carry the ball forward with any great menace. Furthermore, against Swansea he didn’t even have the luxury of a wide midfielder in front of him. Kevin Mirallas drifted across the pitch, and in and out of the game, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin started on the left and barely got going. Usually, his only options were a ‘safe’ square/backwards pass infield, or a percentage ball into Romelu Lukaku. All six of the balls he misplaced were attempted forward passes. Everton’s best work down the right came in the second half from Tom Davies, one of the only plus points, and from late substitute Jonjoe Kenny. Kenny, captain of the Blues’ excellent U23 side, must surely be in contention for a start before the end of the season – to provide natural width if nothing else. There’s Lukaku, but what else? On the left flank, meanwhile, we got a glimpse of Leighton Baines’ frustrations. The game was half an hour old when the Blues full back collected possession, trotted forward and looked for an option. There were none. Baines, angered, turned and played the ball back to Gareth Barry, his deepest midfielder, making his feelings known to his front players about their lack of movement. It was a consistent theme. Barkley’s half-time introduction at least added a touch of urgency – though not enough – but Everton were worryingly short of attacking threat. Romelu Lukaku of Everton shoots during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at the Liberty Stadium
They had two efforts on target, both from Lukaku. The first came in the opening 90 seconds, while the second barely troubled Lukasz Fabianski. Lukaku came in for plenty of criticism from supporters, post match, and it is true that the Belgian had another off day – second best to Swansea’s excellent young centre back Alfie Mawson. His movement was sluggish, his touch was loose and he was far from the rampaging force he can be at his best. Not the performance of a £100m-rated player, granted. But it is worrying just how reliant Everton are on him. Lukaku has 25 league goals this season; nobody else in the Blues squad has more than four. Stop Rom, stop Everton. An obvious issue, but one which requires correction in the summer, whether the talisman stays or goes. Everton were decisive last summer. They identified a manager to take the club forward, and a director of football who can help him do it. Now, the next step is to identify the players to take the next step.

Ronald Koeman explains why Ross Barkley was left out of Everton team for Swansea defeat
Everton boss said he wanted 'control' in midfield at the Liberty Stadium
By Neil Jones
7 MAY 2017 Liverpool Echo
Ronald Koeman has explained his decision to leave Ross Barkley out of the Everton team at Swansea.
Barkley was a surprise omission from the Blues’ starting line-up at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, with Gareth Barry replacing the England international in the XI.  But after a disjointed first-half display, in which Everton fell behind to Fernando Llorente’s headed goal, the 23-year-old was summoned from the bench at half time.  Barkley replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but was unable to inspire a second-half turnaround. His side have now failed to win any of their last seven away matches.
Asked to explain his selection, post-match, Koeman said: “We tried to find productivity in the team, and we arrived with a different solution.  “The diamond that Swansea play, that was the reason I brought Gareth in.  "We wanted to have that control in the midfield, and I thought that we had that.
“But OK, you need to make those kind of decisions as a manager.”
Barkley, of course, is currently engaged in a contract stand-off with the club. The midfielder will enter the final 12 months of his current Goodison deal in the summer, and progress over a new one has been slow.  Indeed, Koeman hinted last month that Everton would look to sell the player if he does not pen a new contract soon. Tottenham are among the clubs said to be monitoring the situation.