Everything you need to know about Everton

Match previews

18 Dec 2023

Crystal Palace head to Merseyside to take on Everton on Monday, 19th February (20:00 GMT) – get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Factfile

Manager: Sean Dyche
Position: 17th
Nickname: The Toffees
Ground: Goodison Park
Founded: 1878

What’s the story?

Everton's turnaround under Sean Dyche has been nothing short of phenomenal since the Premier League announced the implementation of a 10-point penalty in mid-November.

The Toffees looked destined for a first spell in the second tier since 1954, and only a resurgence in form - in no small part down to the atmosphere at Goodison Park - has seen them climb clear of the danger zone for now.

Everton are set to move into their new stadium on Bramley Dock in the coming years, and the prospect of doing so having lost their Premier League status is one which has serious ramifications, both sporting and financial.

However, that upturn in form has slowed since four back-to-back wins in December, and just three points from a possible 21 have seen Everton sucked back into trouble, with the potential of further penalties from the Premier League to come.

The two sides have met three times already this season, with Everton edging a five-goal thriller at Selhurst Park before knocking Palace out of the FA Cup in a tight replay at Goodison Park in January.

The boss

After losing seven of his first twelve matches as a manager to Palace, Dyche has proven something of a nemesis for the Eagles in recent times, unbeaten in his last nine meetings across spells at Everton and Burnley.

He kept the latter in the Premier League for almost a decade, and has impressed many with his results thus far at Goodison Park.

Record against Palace

Palace have recorded some famous victories against Everton in recent years, none more so than the FA Cup quarter-final demolition of 2021, as the Eagles secured their spot at Wembley by smashing four past Frank Lampard's side.

Conor Gallagher's late Goal of the Season contender that same season earned three points in the league, while last season the spoils were shared in a goalless draw.

The Eagles are looking for revenge for their narrow FA Cup third round exit in January.

Did you know?

Everton once retained the title for five years straight. Well, sort of. They have had several interesting spells as champions, beginning in the early days of the English Football League. Their first title came in the 1890/91 season, becoming just the second team to lift the trophy after Preston North End.

Aston Villa and Sunderland dominance followed, but Everton fought back and claimed another tittle in 1915. However, with the outbreak of the First World War domestic football was cancelled and Everton remained the holders until West Bromwich Albion’s success in 1920.

In 1939 they suffered the same fate, pipping Wolverhampton Wanderers to the title before the beginning of World War Two. Everton were technically the holders until 1947 when cross-city rivals Liverpool took the crown. By this time, of course, much of the Toffees’ title-winning side had been broken up, and many had gone to fight in the conflict. They were forced to wait almost two decades for their next.

Ever wonder where the nickname ‘The Toffees’ comes from? There are several disputed stories, but the most widely accepted relates to a shop named Mother Noblett’s, which sold sweets and toffees including the black and white striped Everton Mint.

Mother Noblett’s was located opposite the lock-up in Everton village, the cylindrical brick building the club badge is based on. A tradition ensured, as the ‘Toffee Lady’ would walk around the pitch at Goodison Park throwing bags of Everton Mints into the crowd.

Everton’s other nicknames have included ‘The Black Watch’ during their periods playing in all black, so named after the 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, and ‘The School of Science’, after their attractive and innovative style of play in the late 1920s.

Match details

Monday, 19th February
20:00 GMT
Goodison Park
Sky Sports
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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