Everton

Everton have sacked manager Ronald Koeman, with the team lying 18th in the Premier League table. 

The Toffees announced the news on Monday:

pic.twitter.com/EAEMydTN7n

— Everton (@Everton) October 23, 2017

The Dutchman has departed having lost five of their last seven league matches, while in the UEFA Europa League, they have secured just one point from three games, having been held to a 2-2 draw at home to Apollon Limassol and beaten 3-0 and 2-1 by Atalanta and Lyon, respectively.

Bleacher Report's Matt Jones repeatedly questioned Koeman's future after the Lyon defeat and shipping five goals against Arsenal on Sunday:

The worst start by an English team ever in this cup, awful football, just above the relegation zone; how low is this nadir going to be? #EFC

— Matt Jones (@MattJFootball) October 19, 2017

Decision must to happen now. In the drop zone, 3 defeats in a row at home, crowd apathetic. Time for someone at the club to grow a pair #EFC

— Matt Jones (@MattJFootball) October 22, 2017

After slipping to a 1-0 defeat against Burnley at Goodison Park on October 1, Koeman had been given a vote of confidence by major shareholder Farhad Moshiri, per broadcaster Jim White:

Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri on @Everton: pic.twitter.com/9VuwBKcdMR

— Jim White (@JimWhite) October 2, 2017

However, the manager has now been relieved of his duties.

A promising first season at the club saw him guide Everton to seventh place in the English top flight, eight points shy of sixth-placed Manchester United but 15 clear of Southampton in eighth.

United snapped up Romelu Lukaku in the 2017 summer transfer window, leaving the club without their primary goalscorer.

While adequately replacing a player of his calibre was always going to be difficult, Everton's disastrous start has come after spending close to £140 million in the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Davy Klaassen, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Wayne Rooney among others.

Integrating so many new players into the side takes time, and Koeman has also been without the injured Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie amid a difficult start to the season that has already seen them face Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and United.

Nevertheless, the manner of the performances he has coaxed out of his players has not been inspiring, and it's clear the hierarchy at Goodison Park did not trust the 54-year-old to turn things around.

The Toffees must now work to bring in a manager they believe can do just that and help them challenge for the top four.

Doing the latter would seem unlikely this season, though, with the team already lagging behind their rivals.

Everton have issued a lifetime ban to a supporter amid a police investigation into a pitchside brawl between the Toffees and Lyon in their UEFA Europa League clash at Goodison Park on Thursday.

Per Alistair Tweedale of The Telegraph, Everton released a statement that read:

"Club Officials have reviewed the footage of an incident that occurred in the 64th minute of the game against Olympique Lyonnaise where supporters towards the front of the lower Gwladys Street End became involved in a confrontation between players.

"We have identified one individual whom action will now be taken against. This will include a ban from attending future Everton fixtures and the Club registering a formal complaint with Merseyside Police."

The incident was sparked when Ashley Williams pushed Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, prompting players from both sides to get involved in a brawl on the sidelines.

MailOnline Sport provided a photo:

Everton fan carrying child slaps Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes amid mass brawl sparked by Ashley Williams shove https://t.co/ny7deXmX7F pic.twitter.com/3HRdkrXKT0

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) October 19, 2017

One Everton supporter, who was carrying a child, appeared to swing out at Lopes during the melee. A video of it and the aftermath can be seen on BT Sport Football's Twitter account.

Merseyside police also issued a statement in which they confirmed "officers are investigating following a disturbance on the pitch."

Williams and Bertrand Traore were handed yellow cards for their part in the brawl, though the former was perhaps fortunate to escape further sanction, as noted by The Times' Henry Winter:

Williams so lucky to see only yellow, not red for challenge on Lopes. Mass skirmish. Pickford ran 100 yards to join in. Game boiling over.

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) October 19, 2017

The Welshman equalised for Everton shortly after to cancel out Nabil Fekir's opener, but Traore flicked home a second for Lyon to hand them a 2-1 win and inflict more misery on the Toffees.

Everton have now taken just one point from their three Group H games, having lost 3-0 to Atalanta and drawn 2-2 with Apollon Limassol.  

Everton reportedly made a €75 million (£66 million) bid for Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the 2017 summer transfer window, though the player only wanted to join Atletico Madrid.

According to Alberto R. Barbero of Marca, Costa's desire to play for his former club again "was the main reason why Chelsea were unable to negotiate with Everton." 

The Toffees are said to have made the aforementioned offer, as well as a "bonus." AC Milan were reportedly interested in Costa too, but he wanted to head back to Atletico for a second spell.

The transfer from Chelsea to the Madrid side has yet to be finalised, though as noted by the latter's Twitter account, the deal is close to being done:

Atléticos, a friend says hi! pic.twitter.com/l9AzyL9ou8

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 22, 2017

As we can see courtesy of La Liga's Twitter account, Costa was at Atletico's new Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Saturday for the team's clash with Sevilla:

Guess who's in the house... 😏#AtletiSevillaFC pic.twitter.com/UywlEKF0AH

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 23, 2017

According to the Guardian, the 28-year-old's transfer will be worth around £57 million to Chelsea, who bought Costa from Atletico for £32 million in 2014.

In the three seasons he spent at Stamford Bridge, the Spain international came to be adored by the Blues faithful. His brutish forward play left so many defences unsettled, while the goals he scored helped the team to some big results.

Chelsea won two Premier League titles during the time Costa was at the club, as he led the line expertly.

Here's how prolific he was:

It was a good run for Diego Costa at Chelsea 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AEmZPBJOWz

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 21, 2017

As BBC Sport noted, despite being a key part of the title-winning side last season, manager Antonio Conte marginalised the forward in pre-season, and he has not featured for the Blues in 2017-18. 

While a move to Atletico didn't go through before the summer deadline, it appears as though the Spanish outfit weren't the striker's only admirers. Everton were on the hunt for a forward, having lost Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United in the summer, and they were seemingly desperate for another physical presence up top.

As Squawka Football noted ahead of the team's win against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Toffees have been having big issues in front of goal:

Everton's last four games across all competitions:

LLLL

Goals: 0
Conceded: 12

Serious issues. 😰 pic.twitter.com/qaEg3JdXl9

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 17, 2017

Costa, a proven winner and a thoroughbred goalscorer in the Premier League, would have been a big help for Ronald Koeman's side. And while the aforementioned sums may seem excessive for a 28-year-old, signing a player of such calibre would have represented a real statement from the Toffees.

Eventually, the three parties involved in this deal look like they've got what they want. Chelsea will receive a big fee for a footballer they don't want around, Atletico will have a world-class striker to add to their squad in January and Costa is back at his spiritual home, where he will hope to give the Rojiblancos the best years of his career.

Wayne Rooney has been fined two weeks wages by Everton after his conviction for drink-driving.

Simon Stone of the BBC reported on Wednesday the money will be donated to the Toffees' community scheme.

According to BBC News, the former Manchester United captain was arrested in Cheshire after being stopped by police on Sept. 1.

Rooney was recorded as three times over the legal limit and later pleaded guilty to the charge in court on Monday. He received a two-year driving ban and £170 fine from Stockport Magistrates' Court along with 100 hours of community service.

After receiving the verdict, Rooney commented:

"I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong."

"I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career."

"Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service."

Everton forward Wayne Rooney pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving at Stockport Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The news came via Daniel Taylor of the Guardian:

Wayne Rooney has just pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving in a VW Beetle on September 1

— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) September 18, 2017

Rooney was stopped after police noted that the tail-light of the VW Beetle was not working. Rooney 'perfect gentleman' after his arrest

— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) September 18, 2017

The striker's punishments were as follows:

Wayne Rooney has been given a two-year driving ban, a 12-month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work

— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) September 18, 2017

Rooney's two-year driving ban will be reduced by 24 weeks if he undergoes a specialist driving course by 2 Feb 2019. Case now finished.

— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) September 18, 2017

Rooney was captured arriving in court by 5News:

Some shout ‘put him in handcuffs’ while others wish Wayne Rooney good luck as he arrives in court to face drink-driving charges pic.twitter.com/yI9WFNCHTe

— Channel 5 News (@5_News) September 18, 2017

Taylor also reported the striker's alcohol reading was 104; the legal limit is 35. As noted by BBC's Dan Roan, Rooney expressed remorse for his actions via his lawyer:

Rooney has pleaded guilty to drink-driving; his lawyer says he "wishes to express his genuine remorse for...a terrible mistake"

— Dan Roan (@danroan) September 18, 2017

Rooney lawyer says his client has written letter to judge "expressing his regret & how he recognises he's let down himself, family & fans"

— Dan Roan (@danroan) September 18, 2017

Following the hearing, he released the following statement, per Simon Peach of the Press Association:

Wayne Rooney has apologised for his "unforgivable lack of judgement" in a statement to @PA after pleading guilty to a drink-driving charge pic.twitter.com/IIwhtPA7ws

— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) September 18, 2017

As noted by BBC, the 31-year-old was charged on the morning of September 1 after police stopped his car in Wilmslow, Cheshire. The former Manchester United and England striker was released on bail.

Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail reported that Rooney is also expected to be fined two weeks' wages by his club.

Rooney was present in Stockport Magistrates' Court a day after he returned to United as an Everton player; the Toffees lost the contest 4-0.

Everton striker Wayne Rooney was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.

As relayed by BBC's Richard Conway, Cheshire Police confirmed the former England and Manchester United man was taken into custody: 

Rooney released on bail, due to appear at Stockport Magistrates' Court on 18th September.

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) September 1, 2017

"A picture was posted on Instagram the same evening, showing Rooney and a fellow customer, tagged at the Bubble Room bar in Alderley Edge," reported Sky News. "It was uploaded just after 10 p.m. on Thursday, but deleted as reports of Rooney's arrest surfaced after 11 a.m. on Friday."

Previously in his career, Rooney would have been away with the England team on international duty at this point in the season. But England's former skipper and all-time top scorer confirmed his retirement from the Three Lions setup last week.

Rooney moved from Manchester United back to Everton in the summer and has started the season in encouraging form.

The striker netted the winning goal on the opening day of the Premier League season against Stoke City and grabbed his 200th in the competition in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

Everton have confirmed the arrival of Nikola Vlasic from Hajduk Split, after the teenager signed on Thursday.

The Toffees made the announcement via their official website after the 19-year-old penned a five-year contract.

The forward is coach Ronald Koeman's ninth capture of a very busy summer for the Merseyside outfit.

Per the club's website, the new signing said:

"I am very excited about the opportunity to play for this big club. The Premier League is the best league in the world and this is one of the top clubs in England. It is such a big honour for me to be here.

"When I heard that Everton were interested in me, I knew straight away I wanted to come here. Whenever someone called my manager or my father, I told them I only wanted to come to Everton.
 
"The ambition of the club is to ultimately play in the Champions League and I want to help achieve that goal. I believe in myself and in this team - I think we can do great things together."

Vlasic has been handed the No. 27 shirt, as one of European football's most promising young talents joins Koeman's revolution.

Everton are reportedly interested in landing Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window.

According to Simon Jones of the MailOnline, the Toffees have turned to the Belgium international in an attempt to bolster their goalscoring options.

The Blues will reportedly be unwilling to do any business if they miss out on Swansea striker Fernando Llorente, though. According to David Ornstein of BBC Sport, the Spaniard is close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, but the Blues haven't given up yet.

In addition to the Belgium international, Everton are also said to have made an inquiry for Arsenal forward Lucas Perez.

Batshuayi would be a fascinating acquisition for Ronald Koeman's side. The striker struggled in his debut term at Chelsea, making just one Premier League start in 2017-18.

However, a bright end to the campaign and the marginalisation of Diego Costa looked to have thrust the 23-year-old closer to Antonio Conte's first-team plans. But if another forward was to arrive alongside Alvaro Morata, then it's tough to see where Batshuayi fits in to Conte's team.

Indeed, even the striker's Chelsea and Belgium team-mate Eden Hazard advised Batshuayi that he should probably move elsewhere recently, per journalist Kristof Terreur:

EH: "Batshuayi needs more minutes m. As a friend I would advise him to find a solution. But I don't know Chelsea's plans." #cfc pic.twitter.com/Zpv7bm7tEB

— Kristof Terreur (@kristofterreur) August 30, 2017

There's a talent in there to be tapped into. The former Marseille man is quick, powerful and makes clever movements around the penalty area.

He'll also be desperate to feature more frequently. At Chelsea, whether Llorente arrives or not, he'll be behind Morata in the pecking order and unlikely to start many games this term. At 23, Batshuayi needs to start making progression from a prospect into a thoroughbred poacher.

In fairness to the striker, as noted by Squawka Football, when he did get on the pitch last season, he frequently stuck the ball in the back of the net:

Michy Batshuayi in the Premier League last season:

239 minutes
8 shots on target
5 goals
1 chance created
1 assist

Took his chances. pic.twitter.com/oh9Da8OVnG

— Squawka (@Squawka) July 22, 2017

At Everton he'd get the chances to do so. While the Toffees have spent big in improving their options in the final third, Wayne Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Gylfi Sigurdsson are not footballers who lead the line like Batshuayi.

You sense the deal depends on whether Llorente does end up at Spurs. Should that deal happen, another campaign on the fringes of the Chelsea side looks to be on the cards for Batshuayi.

Fact: Wayne Rooney scored his 200th career Premier League goal in Everton's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Monday, joining Alan Shearer as just the second player ever to accomplish that feat.

Wayne Rooney netted his 200th Premier League goal on Monday night to give Everton a 1-0 lead against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, per B/R Football:

#Rooney200 pic.twitter.com/VJuY4kkicI

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 21, 2017

The 31-year-old, who returned to Manchester for the first time since his move from City's neighbours Manchester United this summer, put a low shot underneath goalkeeper Ederson in the 35th minute.

Rooney was on hand to turn the ball in after a smart pull-back from 20-year-old forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin. It marked the England international's second league goal in as many matches since his return to boyhood club Everton.

Rooney's landmark strike also makes him only the second forward in Premier League history to reach the 200-mark for goals, per Squawka Football:

Only two players have scored 200+ goals in Premier League history.

Alan Shearer: 260 in 441 games
Wayne Rooney: 200 in 462 games

Elite. pic.twitter.com/B5uPAkReaS

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 21, 2017

BT Sport and BBC Match of the Day presenter and former Everton striker Gary Lineker applauded Rooney's enduring class:

Rooney strikes. Life in the old dog yet. Great play too from puppy, Calvert-Lewin. He's been superb, intelligent and rapid in a tough role.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 21, 2017

The only man to have scored more goals than Rooney in England's top flight, ex-Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, also hailed the achievement:

It's been lonely in this @premierleague 200 club. Welcome and congratulations @WayneRooney 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) August 21, 2017

Shearer also recorded a special message for the man of the moment, saying he had been lonely in the 200 club, via the Premier League's official Twitter account:

2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ up! A special message for @WayneRooney as @alanshearer welcomes him into the exclusive #PL 200 club... pic.twitter.com/kA1vriVb4N

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 21, 2017

Creative centre-forward Rooney has always been a natural talent, one who announced himself with his first league goal, a spectacular strike to help the Toffees beat Arsenal back in 2002.

Almost 15 years on, he's proving he still has a lot left to offer at the top level.