David Moyes Seeks Explanation on Chelsea's Financial Penalty
David Moyes has urged the Premier League to offer a more detailed explanation regarding why Chelsea were not docked points for financial rule breaches during Roman Abramovich's ownership.
Everton faced a points deduction in November 2023, initially six points which was later reduced on appeal, along with an additional two-point deduction later that season for violating the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Nottingham Forest also suffered a four-point deduction that season for a PSR breach. The Premier League had initially sought a 12-point deduction for Everton due to a £19.5 million breach over a three-year period and an eight-point deduction for Forest.
On Monday, the Premier League announced a fine of £10.75 million against Chelsea, alongside a suspended transfer embargo and a nine-month academy transfer ban. These sanctions were imposed due to Chelsea's engagement in “deception and concealment” involving illicit payments totaling £47.5 million made over seven years during Abramovich’s tenure to secure player signings.
Team Changes for Everton and Chelsea
David Moyes has made one alteration to the Everton side that performed admirably despite their defeat at the Emirates last week: Joey O’Brien replaces Tim Iroegbunam, with James Garner shifting into midfield.
Chelsea have made three changes. Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia start in place of the injured Trevor Chalobah, Malang Sarr, and Andrey Santos. This match marks only Lavia’s second start this season.
Starting Lineups
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
Substitutes: Travers, Patterson, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Branthwaite, Rohl, Iroegbunam, Armstrong.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo, Pedro Neto; Joao Pedro.
Substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Adarabioyo, Delap, Essugo, Santos, Sarr, Acheampong, Estevao, Garnacho.
Referee: Sam Barrott (West Yorkshire)
Match Preview
Welcome to live coverage of Everton versus Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Chelsea are in urgent need of a positive result, having collected only five points from their last five Premier League matches and suffering a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Everton continue to quietly exceed expectations, a trend consistent throughout the season and characteristic of David Moyes’ managerial career. The team aims to secure back-to-back Premier League victories at their new stadium for the first time. Currently in contention for European football next season, a win tonight would enhance their prospects of qualifying for the Champions League.
"David Moyes has called on the Premier League to provide a fuller explanation of why Chelsea were not deducted points for breaking financial rules under the ownership of Roman Abramovich."
"Everton in November 2023, reduced to six on appeal, plus a further two points later that season for breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Nottingham Forest were deducted four points that season for a PSR breach."
"The Premier League announced on Monday that of £10.75m, a suspended transfer embargo and a nine-month academy transfer ban for engaging in ‘deception and concealment’ when making illicit payments totalling £47.5m to sign players during a seven year period under Abramovich."
"David Moyes makes one change to the side that played well in defeat at the Emirates a week ago: Joey O’Brien replaces Tim Iroegbunam, with James Garner moving into midfield."
"There are three changes for Chelsea. Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia come in for Trevor Chalobah, who is injured, Malang Sarr and Andrey Santos. It’s only Lavia’s second start this season."
"Chelsea urgently need to get back on a horse, any horse: they’ve taken only five points from the last five games and were eviscerated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League."
"Everton continue to overachieve quietly – as they have all season, as David Moyes has for most of his career – and are aiming to win back-to-back Premier League games at their new stadium for the first time. They’re already in contention for European football next season; if they win tonight, they’ll be in with a shout of a Champions League place."
