Toffees, trophies, trials and tribulations: everything you need to know about Everton

Match previews

11 Sep 2023

Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park on Saturday, 11th November (15:00 GMT) to take on Everton – and before kick-off, it’s time to get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Factfile

Manager: Sean Dyche
Position: 16th
Nickname: The Toffees
Ground: Goodison Park
Founded: 1878 (145 years ago)

What’s the story?

After flirting with relegation for the past two seasons, Everton have started the new campaign on a more assured footing as Sean Dyche aims to lift them away from the danger zone and back towards mid-table.

Three wins in their last five games in all competitions are a testament to a side benefitting from renewed confidence, and the Toffees came within six minutes of beating Brighton & Hove Albion last time out before a late equaliser forced them to settle for a point.

After four defeats in their opening five games in the league, picking up just a single point away at Sheffield United, the upturn in form has done plenty to ease the fears on Merseyside of a historic first relegation from the Premier League, and the potential of playing in the second tier for the first time since 1954.

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.

Victory at Burnley in the League Cup has set up a quarter-final clash against Fulham at Goodison Park, and with Everton’s last major piece of silverware almost three decades ago in the 1995 FA Cup, the prospect of a potential trip to Wembley will be a tantalising one.

With difficult fixtures against Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to come before the turn of the year, Sean Dyche will be desperate for his side to pick up points wherever possible to ensure they enter 2024 on the same positive trajectory, and to avoid the talk of a potential relegation battle returning.

The boss

Sean Dyche’s resilient reputation, built in keeping Burnley in the Premier League for almost a decade, has been burgeoned by his work at Goodison Park, as Everton strive to retain their top-flight status amidst turbulence on and off the pitch.

Boot in both camps

After 185 games at Crystal Palace, Andros Townsend left for Everton where he scored seven times in 27 games, before suffering a serious ligament injury that would prevent him representing the club again.

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.

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 4-0 Everton

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

Saturday, 11th November
15:00 GMT
Selhurst Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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