A 30-year wait but Blues feel optimism again

20-05-2025

Everton fans won't be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their FA cup final success against Manchester United, because in some respects its become a source of sadness.And disappointment. Not the day itself of course, and more on that shortly, but it's because it's also the last piece of silverware that the team won. Since then there have been some near misses along the way.The truth hurts sometimes and that's always the case in football, when the metrics of success are taken to their most basic level. What did you win and when ?As much as they'd like to, Blues supporters can't alter those harsh, realistic facts. Nevertheless what has happened to the club in the last few months points to a new era of positivity is on the way. New owners The Friedkin Group know what's required to make things happen in a sporting sense. The decision to sack Sean Dyche probably wasn't a difficult one to make. Appointing David Moyes as his successor has proved to be an absolute masterstroke. He knows Everton, he understands Everton and in the space of four months he's transformed the team into something even the most ardent Evertonians would not have thought possible in such a short space of time. He deserves a lot of praise for that.When you look back and reflect on the events of cup final day in 1995, it's worth remembering that the Everton manager Joe Royle's first match in charge was exactly six months earlier. He took over a team that were cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League table. That season under Mike Walker they'd won one game in the previous 16 and had eight points from 14 matches. Yet somehow he'd managed to construct a new look team, that had determination, discipline and defiance at it's very core.So today when Blues fans think back to Wembley stadium on 20th May 1995, they'll be more optimistic than they've been for a long, long time that maybe they can get back there and win some of the games glittering prizes again.Come back for part two of Mike's account of the 1995 FA Cup final at 13:00Explore Everton content on BBC Sounds

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Ex-Manchester United star joins newly promoted LaLiga side Real Oviedo as they aim to survive in top flight

Daily Mail

19 minutes ago

Daily Mail

Ex-Manchester United star joins newly promoted LaLiga side Real Oviedo as they aim to survive in top flight

Real Oviedo have announced the signing of a former Manchester United star. The LaLiga outfit confirmed on Monday afternoon that they have completed the signing of the free agent, who was released by Villarreal earlier this summer. Eric Bailly spent seven years at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2023, making 113 appearances for the Red Devils. The 31-year-old now joins newly-promoted Oviedo after spells with the yellow Submarine and Besiktas. The club, captained by former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla, pulled off a romantic return to the Spanish top flight after a 24-year absence, winning the LaLiga 2 play-off final. A statement on their website read: 'Real Oviedo and Eric Bailly have reached an agreement for the Ivorian footballer to join the club from the capital of the Principality until June 30, 2027. 'Eric Bailly was born on April 12, 1994, in Bingerville, Ivory Coast. His journey in Spanish football began at just 17 years old when he joined RCD Espanyol, where he made his La Liga debut in 2014. His impressive performance with the Catalan club led Villarreal CF to take notice of him in January 2015. 'With the Yellow Submarine, Bailly played a total of 47 matches and became an important player, characterized by his power and prowess in aerial duels. 'With many clubs interested in securing his services, Manchester United took the lead in the summer of 2016 and paid a significant amount of money to Villarreal CF, making his sale the most expensive in the history of the Castellón team. 'The defender subsequently played for Olympique de Marseille and Beşiktaş before returning to Villarreal CF on December 30, 2023. At the time, the U19 was going through a difficult time in LALIGA and Eric Bailly was key to the team's improvement during the second half of the season. 'Now, the Ivorian footballer has joined Real Oviedo to strengthen Paunovic's team and become a new signing for the Blues.' Oviedo's campaign began with defeat on Friday night as they were beaten by Bailly's former club 2-0 in their LaLiga opener.

Alejandro Garnacho's Chelsea transfer is being held up by Blues' Christopher Nkunku stance as Man Utd set out demands

Scottish Sun

21 minutes ago

Scottish Sun

Alejandro Garnacho's Chelsea transfer is being held up by Blues' Christopher Nkunku stance as Man Utd set out demands

GARNA WAIT Alejandro Garnacho's Chelsea transfer is being held up by Blues' Christopher Nkunku stance as Man Utd set out demands Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA'S pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho has been stalled by the West London club's steep valuation of Christopher Nkunku. The Blues have rejected a loan bid from Bayern Munich for Nkunku, 27, preferring a £50million sale to raise the funds to buy Garnacho for the same price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Chelsea are yet to meet Alejandro Garnacho's asking price Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The Blues rejected Bayern Munich's loan offer for Christopher Nkunku Credit: Getty United are braced for an offer from Stamford Bridge chiefs for the Argentina international, but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap. The Red Devils want at least £50m for the 21-year-old winger. It's understood that Garnacho only wants Chelsea, which is the main reason why he is still at Carrington nearly three months after boss Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club. The relationship between the two sides has completely broken down and on Sunday a mural of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced by fans. READ MORE ON MAN UTD SAVE US Neville and Rooney tells Man Utd to sign one of two players after Arsenal defeat As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a huge impact on United's Profit and Sustainability checks as his sale will be marked as pure profit. But, the negotiations - which must be completed before the close of the summer window in 14 days time - will be a major test for United chiefs. The Red Devils know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for Garnacho, who has been training alone with the 'Bomb Squad' after being iced out. Insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues' reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards Nkunku for less than £50m. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Nkunku's hefty price tag is guiding Chelsea's moves for Garnacho and RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons. Garnacho's exit would open the door for United to bag a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana and second stopper Altay Bayindir not up to scratch. Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville both make transfer plea to Man Utd after Arsenal clash Bayindir deputised for the injured Onana for United's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their Premier League opener on Sunday. The Turk, 27, was at fault for the goal after he flapped at Declan Rice's inswinging corner, which was headed in by Riccardo Calafiori in the 13th minute. SunSport exclusively revealed that United have made discreet checks over a remarkable return for club legend David de Gea from Fiorentina. Amorim's side were tipped off that the Spaniard, 34, has a clause in his deal at Fiorentina — allowing him to leave for a relatively small sum. Gianluigi Donnarumma has also been linked with both United and Manchester City after being relegated to No.2 at Paris Saint-Germain with one year left on his deal. Italy stopper Donnarumma, 26, is set to demand a bumper 50 per cent rise on his current £210,000 per week salary.

Alejandro Garnacho issued with new snub as Man Utd negotiate Chelsea transfer

Daily Mirror

22 minutes ago

Daily Mirror

Alejandro Garnacho issued with new snub as Man Utd negotiate Chelsea transfer

Manchester United kicked off their Premier League season with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, a game where Alejandro Garnacho was unsurprisingly absent, with his United career all but over Wantaway Manchester United misfit Alejandro Garnacho will not play for Argentina in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers at the start of September. ‌ Garnacho is set to leave United before the transfer window closes, if the Red Devils and Chelsea can come to an agreement over a transfer fee. The Blues are pushing hard to take the young winger to Stamford Bridge, with United ready to cash in if the money is right. It's understood Garnacho has already agreed terms with Chelsea. ‌ The 21-year-old has been training on his own at Carrington for a month and has been frozen out of the squad completely by Ruben Amorim, with his comments and subsequent social media antics following the Europa League Final the last straw for the United head coach. Garnacho had initially fallen foul of Amorim when he was dropped for the Manchester derby last December, before being reintegrated back into the squad - unlike Marcus Rashford, who was loaned to Aston Villa in January. ‌ Unsurprisingly, Garnacho was not involved in United's Premier League opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday. Now he has been left out of the Argentina squad for the World Cup qualifying fixtures with Venezuela and Ecuador next month. Garnacho, who made his international debut as a teenager in 2023, was a consistent selection by boss Lionel Scaloni in 2024, but has been left on the outside looking in during 2025. During United's pre-season tour of the United States, Amorim was asked whether it was a shame it hadn't worked out with Garnacho and himself. He said: "I think Garnacho you can understand and you can see, he's talented, he's a really talented boy. And sometimes things don't work out. "You cannot explain specifically what it is. But I have the feeling, I think it's clear that Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership. And I can understand that. "So I think it's not a problem. Sometimes you adapt to one guy, you have the connection. Other times, you want a new challenge. So, we try to make everything okay to all the parts. To the club, to the coach and to the players. So, it's a natural thing in football." There are five Premier League based players in the Argentina squad: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa), Cristian Romero ( Tottenham), Julio Soler ( Bournemouth), Alexis Mac Allister ( Liverpool) and Claudio Echeverri ( Manchester City).