Everton suffered their first defeat of the season against Chelsea on Saturday, with two goals from Pedro Neto settling the game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The first goal arrived a minute into the second half after Jorrel Hato sent Morgan Rogers running down the left. When Rogers cut the ball back, Neto was on hand to finish, although Jordan Pickford might feel he should have done better. Neto’s second goal came in the 90th minute when he finished after Jordan Henderson saw his free-kick initially blocked.
As always, the ECHO was in attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and we have rounded-up some moments you may have missed.
Farhad Moshiri back again
Everton were playing at home for the first time since it was confirmed that The Friedkin Group (TFG) is seeking new investment options, including the potential sale of the club they bought less than two years ago.
TFG completed its purchase of Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club in December 2024 and oversaw the move from Goodison Park to the club’s new waterfront home.
Moshiri has been to more games at Hill Dickinson Stadium than he attended at Goodison in the final three years of his reign, and he was once again in attendance for Saturday's match, making his way through the media room a couple of hours ahead of kick-off.
Amanda Holden watches on
Amanda Holden has kept no secrets when it comes to football and where her loyalty lies. She has been vocal over the years about her love for Everton and she was in attendance to watch her team fall to defeat for the first time this season.
The Britain's Got Talent judge watched on from the posh seats with her husband Chris Hughes sitting alongside her.
Premier League feelings made clear
The Premier League has been praised since it was confirmed that Manchester City have been found guilty on all counts of breaching the top flight's financial rules and “the majority of charges” relating to failing to co-operate with the league’s investigation.
But that still didn’t stop Everton supporters from booing the Premier League anthem as it was played ahead of kick-off. There were also boos for former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson when his name was read out ahead and when he touched the ball in the opening minutes.
David Moyes fumes
Just like Everton supporters, David Moyes was furious on the sidelines when Harrison Armstrong was booked for a challenge on Josh Acheampong. Moyes couldn’t believe the youngster had been given a yellow card by referee Paul Tierney. The Scot also looked less than impressed when Rogers was not punished for a challenge on James Garner.
Half-time talks
And sticking with Rogers, he was deep in conversation with James Tarkowski in the tunnel as the two teams made their way out for the second half. Tarkowski and Rogers were both booked just before the end of the first half when they clashed after the Everton defender had tangled with Henderson.
Away from Hill Dickinson Stadium
Some surprising news emerged following Everton’s defeat to Chelsea with Duncan Ferguson set to become the new manager of Glentoran. The NIFL Premiership club have been searching for a permanent boss since Declan Devine left his role in September.
And according to reports from Belfast, the move will officially be rubber-stamped on Monday, and the Scot's first game in charge could be against Ballymena next weekend. Glentoran currently sit fourth in the NIFL Premiership, while this will be Ferguson’s third managerial appointment. The former forward, after two stints as interim boss at Everton, managed Forest Green Rovers before joining Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Ferguson was appointed manager of Inverness in September 2023 when he took over as boss after Billy Dodds was sacked. But with the club fighting for survival after entering administration due to a financial crisis, the Everton great departed in October 2024 and has since been working as a pundit.
