00:00Everton's defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge marked another frustrating chapter in a difficult
00:08campaign. The Toffees have now just won one of their last nine matches and are enduring a gruelling
00:14run of fixtures, having recently faced five of the Premier League's top six sites.
00:20A first-half goal from Nicholas Jackson separated the teams and while Everton improved after the
00:25break with changes from the bench, their set-piece delivery remained below par, a key area of
00:32disappointment. Despite second-half progress, their lack of threat from dead ball situations meant they
00:38never seriously tested Chelsea. They stuck at it and we certainly grew into the game the longer it
00:44went on and if we'd got a goal, I think the goalkeeper made a couple of really good saves for
00:49them which stopped it. Maybe we should have actually finished them off to be better if I was
00:54being honest. There were certainly positives to take that we came away here and kept the
01:02game close. Off the pitch, the club is entering a pivotal summer. Fifteen senior players are out
01:09of contract and decisions are looming on who to keep and who to release. While many calls
01:14are straightforward, others are far more complex. Performances over the final games will shape
01:20key decisions, with futures still uncertain for a number of first-team regulars.
01:27One area of consistency has been the defensive trio of Jordan Pickford, Jared Branthwaite and
01:32James Tarkoski. Their resilience has helped Everton stay clear of relegation in back-to-back
01:38seasons, even with an often disjointed attack. However, Tarkoski's hamstring injury is a significant
01:45blow. The 32-year-old has been a key leader in a summer that will also bring a move to the new
01:51Bramley Moor Dock Stadium. Interest in Branthwaite is expected again, with clubs like Manchester City
01:58previously linked. Everton will fight to keep him, but financial realties may complicate matters.
02:05With Jake O'Brien developing well, a new-look back line could be forming,
02:10but there may be growing pains on the horizon.
Comments