Premier League - Everton FC vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Frosty]

Everton FC v Ipswich Town



Saturday 3rd May 2025 – 15:00


Goodison Park








Pre Match Thoughts - Mike


I think we all knew it was coming and sure enough Town's relegation back to the Championship was confirmed following another comprehensive defeat, this time away to Newcastle Utd. As sad as it is for many Tractor Boys and Girls I have to say I think it is needed and I think it will only do good for us in the long term, the reality is that the second promotion came too soon, victims of our own success really, getting this chance to reset and continue to get things off the pitch in place will only enhance our chances of getting it right next time we go up, and make no mistake about it, we will go back up pretty damn soon.

Seeing the players standing on the pitch and applauding our incredible away fans would have affected even the hardest of Town fans, they have given their all in every game this season, of that there is zero doubt or concern, we just lack the extra quality needed in certain areas to compete at this level, add to that a bit of naivety at crucial times, both on and off the pitch, has cost us so so often, the manager and players will have learnt so much from the experience and that too will set them in good stead for when the opportunity presents itself again.

One of the things that has really disappointed me this campaign is our poor disciplinary levels, all too often we have seen our numbers reduced with stupid decisions or lazy tackles and I think it is something that needs addressing no matter what division we are in. A lot has been spoken about from Saturday's trip to St. James's Park but for me the decisions were correct, I felt Ben Johnson was deserving of his first yellow for diving over when there was no need for it, I am not buying that he was trying to avoid injury, it was an outstretched leg, not a crunching tackle he was avoiding, his Second yellow was just plain stupid.

I also felt the penalty awarded against Enciso was a correct decision too, I actually called it in real time, no need for this VAR sh*te whatsoever, just officials who can get things right. It was a shame as up to the point of the first goal we had actually not been too bad and Alex Palmer had not been overly troubled in the Town goal, we had also fashioned a couple of decent openings at the other end, due mainly to the strength and power of Liam Delap, if only he had more support around him !

Once the gods had turned against us it was a different story with Newcastle basically encamped in and around our penalty box with numerous balls being delivered into the danger zone, Town defenders trying with al their might to repel attack after attack, by now we were non existent as an attacking force with our Midfield completely outnumbered and nothing going up to our attacking players. Sadly it was another case of being outclassed, also being down to Ten Men hardly helped matters. By the time the full time whistle blew it was a happy release, not only for this game but for the season as a whole.

With relegation now confirmed and Everton up next I think this is a good time to be looking to next season and playing players that are likely to still be here, for me I would not be looking at playing Enciso, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Phillips and sadly Delap, we need to be reverting back to the Chaplin's & Broadhead's etc to start our rebuild from now, there is little point in using loanee's now our fate is sealed.

Sadly this will be Town's last ever game at Goodison Park and I for One am a bit sad at that, it's a fabulous and traditional old ground situated in the heart of housing and oozes character, I have been there a few times and loved it, apart from the rickety old Wooden seats in the away end !! How nice it would be for Town to sign off from Goodison with a win, we are down so with the shackles off why not just go for it and try a more attacking approach, maybe even Two strikers on the pitch together ?

This is basically a dead rubber and as such I have no idea how it will pan out, in all truth we will probably still go the same as we have all season in formation with one or Two tweaks to the starting line up but whatever happens let's still keep behind the boys and hope they can come up with something special, finishing third bottom now has to be our aim, and then we can moan forever more that we only went down because Manchester City weren't punished when they should have been. Onwards and upwards. COYB'S.



The Opposition – Everton FC - Honours



League


First Division

Champions (9): 1890–91, 1914–15, 1927–28, 1931–32, 1938–39, 1962–63, 1969–70, 1984–85, 1986–87
Runners-up (7): 1889–90, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1904–05, 1908–09, 1911–12, 1985–86

Second Division

Champions: 1930–31
Runners-up: 1953–54


Cup


FA Cup

Winners (5): 1905–06, 1932–33, 1965–66, 1983–84, 1994–95
Runners-up (8): 1892–93, 1896–97, 1906–07, 1967–68, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1988–89, 2008–09

Football League Cup

Runners-up: 1976–77, 1983–84

FA Charity Shield

Winners (9): 1928, 1932, 1963, 1970, 1984, 1985, 1986 (shared), 1987, 1995

Full Members' Cup

Runners-up: 1988–89, 1990–91

Football League Super Cup

Runners-up: 1985–86


European


European Cup Winners' Cup

Winners: 1984–85




The Manager – David Moyes










Form Guide




Everton FC




2 Apr Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton

5 Apr Everton 1 - 1 Arsenal

12 Apr Nottm Forest 0 - 1 Everton

19 Apr Everton 0 - 2 Manchester City

26 Apr Chelsea 1 - 0 Everton





Ipswich Town




2 Apr Bournemouth 1 - 2 Ipswich Town

5 Apr Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Wolverhampton

13 Apr Chelsea 2 - 2 Ipswich Town

20 Apr Ipswich Town 0 - 4 Arsenal

26 Apr Newcastle Utd 3 - 0 Ipswich Town



League Table as at 30.04.2025








Head to Head







Match Referee – Lewis Smith







EVERTON FC 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1

[marko69]

Preview quote:
"....finishing third bottom now has to be our aim, and then we can moan forever more that we only went down because Manchester City weren't punished when they should have been."
End quote.

I like that.

And yes, no pressure in this ---->> go thump them. Would be great. Never been a glory hunter, hence Hibs, Ipswich, Lions in the NFL, Tiges in the AFL, but have always preferred the red side of Liverpool. That's not an intentional wind-up, Saint Jude --->> just never cared much for Everton.
Hoping its a 3-0 away win.

And Davie Moyes? Jaysus H, is he a jockey through the week? Looks worse than a once alive, but now dead, Lester Piggott.

Caption:
Moyes: "What about you ref? You think I look like a Jockey?"
Ref: (Picture)

[ITFC2024]

Hope we thump them! I’m not a fan of Everton or Moyes. They’ll be relegated next season for sure. The underachievers! When was the last time they won anything?

Sorry, had to get that in before the site crashes again.

[ITFC2024]

Hope we thump them! I’m not a fan of Everton or Moyes. They’ll be relegated next season for sure. The underachievers! When was the last time they won anything?

Sorry, had to get that in before the site crashes again.

[arana peligrosa]

Hope we thump them! I’m not a fan of Everton or Moyes. They’ll be relegated next season for sure. The underachievers! When was the last time they won anything?

Sorry, had to get that in before the site crashes again.

FA Cup Final, May 1995. I should know, I was there

Kind of a conflict of interest with this game so will probably sit it out. Any result now is essentially immaterial but would remain fine to win a last game before we drop back to lower level. Could be a long while before we're an EPL club name once more.

Sad to see games at Goodison Park running out now, a move elsewhere was kind of inevitable even before now but by god there's been events held, games and memories you can take away that will live forever. McKenna could try a more attacking emphasis here as we've nothing to lose by this stage of season but somehow you know how it's going to be. A draw game would be mighty fine from a personal viewpoint.

[hallamblue]

We're due a win......

[marko69]

Has anyone ever bothered to ask, Saint? Why the switch from Everton to Ipswich? What the hell happened? How can you be a supporter of such a big club, going to Cup Finals etc, have memories of the ground etc etc, ---->> then switch? And then forevermore hope both clubs draw in a contest, (or "tie" in your case)
Has it got anything to do with both clubs being founded in 1878? This a significant year in your family tree or something?

[Mauswara]

We're due a win......

I've predicted a win.

Sorry about that.

[mugen1]

Our injury list doesn't look too clever

Would love to see a mix up in formation ready for next season!

[Bluemike]

Hutchinson and Chaplin in for Johnson and Clarke

[Bluemike]

Bunch of pricks this lot of scouse scum, targeting Delap who's done absolutely nothing wrong and gets booked

[Bluemike]

Our defence is f**king sh*te, I hope we get rid of EVERY SINGLE ONE of them

[Charnwood]

To get rid of the complete defence would be reckless and unnecessary especially given what we paid for the likes of O’Shea and Greaves. These should be good enough for Thd Chsmpionshio.

I’ve actually quite enjoyed watching today with no pressure or expectation.

[Charnwood]

Enjoying it even more now George Hirst has scored an equaliser.

… and what about Julio Enciso’s opener, that was pretty special.

[Charnwood]

We’re even ahead 5-3 on Shots on Target !

[Bluemike]

Enjoying it even more now George Hirst has scored an equaliser.

… and what about Julio Enciso’s opener, that was pretty special.

Enciso scored a screamer indeed, nice cross from Hutchinson and good poachers header from Hirst, they all did well.

[Bluemike]

To get rid of the complete defence would be reckless and unnecessary especially given what we paid for the likes of O’Shea and Greaves. These should be good enough for Thd Chsmpionshio.

I’ve actually quite enjoyed watching today with no pressure or expectation.

Yeah was just heat of the moment, keep those Two lol, get shot of the rest

[Charnwood]

It seems like I’m the only one who enjoyed watching that this afternoon. I thought for a relegated side we played with real spirit and never gave up.

[Charnwood]

To get rid of the complete defence would be reckless and unnecessary especially given what we paid for the likes of O’Shea and Greaves. These should be good enough for Thd Chsmpionshio.

I’ve actually quite enjoyed watching today with no pressure or expectation.

Yeah was just heat of the moment, keep those Two lol, get shot of the rest

TBH mate I didn’t think Burgess had a bad game either. Woolfie mistimed his jump to leave a free header for their first goal. Nobody was really at fault for their second goal and in the second half we defended quite well. I’m just hoping McKenna stays and can keep the core of this team together.

[Steve and Jo]

It seems like I’m the only one who enjoyed watching that this afternoon. I thought for a relegated side we played with real spirit and never gave up.

Had to visit wife's relations today and damn, seems missed a cracker of a game. It's good Ipswich just didn't roll over and give in especially going to nill down

Be watching the highlights for sure

[hallamblue]

To get rid of the complete defence would be reckless and unnecessary especially given what we paid for the likes of O’Shea and Greaves. These should be good enough for Thd Chsmpionshio.

I’ve actually quite enjoyed watching today with no pressure or expectation.

Yeah was just heat of the moment, keep those Two lol, get shot of the rest

TBH mate I didn’t think Burgess had a bad game either. Woolfie mistimed his jump to leave a free header for their first goal. Nobody was really at fault for their second goal and in the second half we defended quite well. I’m just hoping McKenna stays and can keep the core of this team together.

Just seen highlights and Woolfenden had no idea where his opponent was ( ball watching), and subsequently wasn't within a yard of the Everton striker. Basic defending which he's often at fault for when in a simple CB pairing. Not good enough for me I'm afraid.

I'd be keeping if possible ....
Axel, O'Shea, Burgess, Townsend. I'd sell the rest.

As for our goals. Both class finishes. Just hope we can hang on to Hirst .

[Charnwood]

I’d hang onto a lot more than that Liz, we have some of last seasons best players in the Championship and shouldn’t need to spend much money at all.

I’d keep,

Palmer, Walton & Slicker
Tuanzebe, Davis, Townsend, H.Clarke, O’Shea, Burgess, Woolfie & Greaves
Morsy, Cajuste (if possible), Taylor, Chaplin, J.Clarke, Philogene, Hutchinson & Humphrey’s
Enciso (if possible), Hirst, Broadhead & Szmodics.

In my opinion that would be a more than decent Championship squad of 23 players.


For each one that leaves or doesn’t sign we would need to find an equal or better replacement. I certainly don’t think we need a complete overhaul but it’s inevitable there will be a few leavers that will need replacing.

[shabba]

Cracking game, nothing meaningless / end of season about that!

Stunning goal by Encisco. The team did us proud today.

Really enjoyed that second half performance - we could have gone under once it was 2-0.

[Frosty]

Really enjoyed the match, were every bit as good as Everton.

Fantastic to effort. Great to shut their crowd down.

[arana peligrosa]

I'm pleased with that. They're not the same quality of years before but Moyes has livened them up and provided a safety route from relegation. We showed character in coming back from two goal reverse and the Encisco strike was sublime. Good to see Hirst back involved and scoring although some moments of borderline aggression between players as shown from highlights was all rather unnecessary.

It's a shame we can go to places like that and say Chelsea and Aston Villa and take a result away without being beaten yet struggle or underperform at Portman Road. Our away record has been better than home this season, that's kind of bizarre when you take a moment to analyze.

At least they'll finish at Goodison Park with a victory against Southampton. That's kind of reassuring to know but for now just satisfied we made the trip there and took a point from it. Once again it showed character and a certain resilience but why can't we put the same effort into home games. It was an ideal score all said from a personal perspective.

[hallamblue]

Absolutely no credit whatsoever YET AGAIN, by those motd biased bastards. They can do one along with their closed club , corrupt as f…. So called premier league. The lot of em make me sick.

Having watched the highlights I thought Town played well and stuck together, but ( and not intending to be controversial but just saying it how I see it ), the more I see of Delap as the season goes on the more I’m not bothered at all if he leaves.

Yes he has power, yes he can hit the ball, but that really is about it. He tries to play the macho, combative type, but all he ever seems to do is get into scraps, dive and pick up bookings. He’s got a lot to learn in my view. He’s not a team player, and is almost a one trick pony, with his head down, run at the defence from the half way line approach. He’s been well and truly sussed over the second half of the season. So if the PL clubs are lining up to give us £35m for him, I’ll say yes thanks you very much. Give me Hirst any day. A much more rounded striker and team player. Things happen when he’s in the team .

[hallamblue]

I’d hang onto a lot more than that Liz, we have some of last seasons best players in the Championship and shouldn’t need to spend much money at all.

I’d keep,

Palmer, Walton & Slicker
Tuanzebe, Davis, Townsend, H.Clarke, O’Shea, Burgess, Woolfie & Greaves
Morsy, Cajuste (if possible), Taylor, Chaplin, J.Clarke, Philogene, Hutchinson & Humphrey’s
Enciso (if possible), Hirst, Broadhead & Szmodics.

In my opinion that would be a more than decent Championship squad of 23 players.


For each one that leaves or doesn’t sign we would need to find an equal or better replacement. I certainly don’t think we need a complete overhaul but it’s inevitable there will be a few leavers that will need replacing.

There will naturally be a lot of interest in our players Andy. I’m not sure we will hold onto some of the more skilful ones unfortunately, and if a PL comes calling I’m sure they will be off. It’ll be a test of McKenna and Ashton’s persuasive qualities as to how many decide to stay next season.

Out of the players you’ve listed the ones I’d not be too bothered if we lost would be Davis, Woolfie, and Philogene. But I would ADD Chaplin to that squad, as he is very , very effective at Championship level.

[Bluemike]

Absolutely no credit whatsoever YET AGAIN, by those motd biased bastards. They can do one along with their closed club , corrupt as f…. So called premier league. The lot of em make me sick.

Having watched the highlights I thought Town played well and stuck together, but ( and not intending to be controversial but just saying it how I see it ), the more I see of Delap as the season goes on the more I’m not bothered at all if he leaves.

Yes he has power, yes he can hit the ball, but that really is about it. He tries to play the macho, combative type, but all he ever seems to do is get into scraps, dive and pick up bookings. He’s got a lot to learn in my view. He’s not a team player, and is almost a one trick pony, with his head down, run at the defence from the half way line approach. He’s been well and truly sussed over the second half of the season. So if the PL clubs are lining up to give us £35m for him, I’ll say yes thanks you very much. Give me Hirst any day. A much more rounded striker and team player. Things happen when he’s in the team .

Delap is also a good 5 years younger than Hirst who has reached his level, the strides the boy has made in a sh*te team are incredible and shouldn't be continually undermined and criticised, its not his fault KM has handled Hirst poorly.

[Shed on tour]

Really enjoyed my last ever visit to Goodison yesterday. Always sad to see old traditional grounds go but the Grand Old Lady is really showing her age now. As for the game, at the end I thought we thoroughly deserved our point as in our current situation when we went 2-0 down it would have been no surprise if the lads had just accepted their fate and gone on to suffer a heavier defeat. However, there was no sign of that and just to see Encisco’s goal was worth the cost of the ticket.
Just one more away game to come and will have done all the aways in the league this season and then have a break from travelling around the country. One thing is for sure I won’t be doing so much next season.

[Cabanas Blue]

Absolutely no credit whatsoever YET AGAIN, by those motd biased bastards. They can do one along with their closed club , corrupt as f…. So called premier league. The lot of em make me sick.

Having watched the highlights I thought Town played well and stuck together, but ( and not intending to be controversial but just saying it how I see it ), the more I see of Delap as the season goes on the more I’m not bothered at all if he leaves.

Yes he has power, yes he can hit the ball, but that really is about it. He tries to play the macho, combative type, but all he ever seems to do is get into scraps, dive and pick up bookings. He’s got a lot to learn in my view. He’s not a team player, and is almost a one trick pony, with his head down, run at the defence from the half way line approach. He’s been well and truly sussed over the second half of the season. So if the PL clubs are lining up to give us £35m for him, I’ll say yes thanks you very much. Give me Hirst any day. A much more rounded striker and team player. Things happen when he’s in the team .

Word.