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Everton produced an epic comeback in their Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last night and Sean Dyche will be thrilled that his perseverance with Ellis Simms finally paid off in the dying moments of the game.

The Toffees academy graduate has had a rollercoaster season after becoming a key player whilst on loan with Sunderland in the Championship over the first half of the season with his impressive displays ultimately leading to his recall to Goodison Park in January, although his opportunities remained limited until the appointment of the former Burnley boss.

Over Dyche's eight games in charge of the Merseysiders, Simms has featured four times and his faith in the striker finally paid off in west London as the youngster earned his team a crucial point with a goal scored in the 89th minute of action.

Indeed, there is still plenty of work to be done for both Everton to survive in the Premier League this season and Simms to become a prolific presence in front of goal but the draw with Chelsea will surely instil some belief and confidence going into the remaining ten league fixtures.

If Dyche does manage to retain the Toffees' top-flight status it could be a great opportunity to give more academy graduates opportunities to prove their worth in the senior team and Tom Cannon could be the perfect addition to the attacking threat when he returns from his loan with Preston North End.

How is Tom Cannon doing on loan?

Cannon made the move to the Championship club back in the January transfer window and is earning the important first-team football needed to give a better insight into his capabilities.

Over 12 appearances so far, the 20-year-old ace – hailed a "bright spark" by journalist Tom Sandells – has scored three goals, registered one assist and created two big chances, as well as averaging 1.2 successful dribbles, two shots on goal and winning four duels per game, proving that he is a huge attacking presence on the pitch.

It seems that Cannon has captured a lot of attention during his short time in the Championship with Hull City manager Liam Rosenior hailing the forward when the club came up against PNE last month:

"I thought Tom Cannon was outstanding, one of the best we've played against by far."

The former Everton U18s and U21s striker penned a new three-year deal in August 2022 after tallying up 97 appearances, 51 goals and 14 assists in the youth set-up, as well as earning three senior appearances in the first team before his temporary move to Lancashire at the turn of the year.

With that being said, the future is looking bright for Cannon and if he can continue to produce a solid output on loan over the remainder of the season, it would put him in good stead to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned Simms.

Manchester United await for Southampton in the Premier League, with the Saints hoping to build upon their recent good form and stave off the threat of relegation.

Their recent form under manager Ruben Selles – the former coach stepping up to replace Nathan Jones, who was sacked after a wretched spell at the helm – has been far more promising, with two victories clinched from the past three league matches.

An away triumph over Chelsea preceded a battling defeat to relegation rivals Leeds United, before a pivotal win against Leicester City, themselves just two points above the bottom three, closed the gulf to touching distance; Saints are now just one point behind the Whites in 17th.

The upswing in form has come at the perfect time considering the magnitude of the task in travelling to Old Trafford and stopping Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils, who responded emphatically after losing 7-0 to Liverpool by defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League.

What will Southampton’s starting XI be vs Manchester United?

With this in mind, here is how Football FanCast is predicting Saints boss Selles to field his starting eleven when the club take on Man United at the Theatre of Dreams this afternoon, with just one change expected after three points were clinched last weekend.

(4-3-3) – (GK) Bazunu; (RB) Maitland-Niles, (CB) Bednarek, (CB) Bella-Kotchap, (LB) Walker-Peters; (CM) Lavia, (CM) Ward-Prowse (AM) Elyounoussi; (RW) Walcott, (LW) Sulemana; (CF) Adams. 

Selles will likely stick with the same backline that secured victory last time out, especially given Southampton have now kept clean sheets in two of the past three league outings, conceding only once against Leeds.

In midfield, Romeo Lavia and captain James Ward-Prowse could continue their partnership as the two behind the attacking midfield trident.

Selles will demand cohesion and attentiveness from his outfit, and might have to do so without last week’s match-winner Carlos Alcaraz, who is touch-and-go for a starting berth against United after injuring himself in the celebration last Saturday, with The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell stating that scans were ‘positive’.

The £12m winter signing is a doubt due to his fitness and the “one-dimensional” – as remarked by analyst Ben Wells – Mohamed Elyounoussi could start by replacing the starlet at St. Mary’s.

Up front, Che Adams will retain his talismanic position in the place of Paul Onuachu, while pacy wingers Theo Walcott and Kamaldeen Sulemana will hope to make an impact from the flanks.

Liverpool supporters have raged at the news that the club have set a €70m (£62m) price tag for Diogo Jota amid interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Newcastle eyeing Jota

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Arthur Melo, James Milner, Adrian and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be out of contract at the end of the season, with the majority of them likely to be departing.

The Portuguese, however, is one new name to have recently been linked with an exit after journalist Jacque Talbot reported that the Magpies are considering a move for him in the summer.

The Latest: Liverpool fans react…

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool lovers expressed their opinions on Jota potentially being sold to Newcastle and it’s fair to say they weren’t happy.

They said:

“I’d be absolutely shocked if Klopp sold him!!!!!” – @Ac1984Ross

“After what John Henry said, we’re definitely selling him if we’re going to buy anyone in the summer. What a joke of a club.” – @AlexisManolis1

“Selling him would be a very bad idea.” – @Babini_R

“They can just stay away.” – @LfcMatthi

“NOT A CHANCE!!!!”- @anfield_buzz

“Triple it. Saudi Arabia can pay state owned tax if they want to do business. Although in all seriousness I don’t think we should engage in any business with them. Why would we help a team that already has a massive financial advantage over every other team.” – @fatpanda72

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The Verdict: Don’t let him go

Jota has had a hugely positive impact at Liverpool since joining, posting 49 goal contributions in 99 appearances, so it’s important that they do everything they can to keep hold of him.

FSG and Jurgen Klopp are in a very strong negotiating position though with his contract not set to expire until 2027, so won’t be forced into sanctioning a sale.

Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium capped off a bitter spell of form that has seen the outfit stumble during their commendable, European-chasing campaign.

The Magpies are enduring a five-match winless streak in the Premier League, also losing the Carabao Cup finale against Manchester United last weekend, and manager Eddie Howe will be hoping to pick up the pieces and galvanise his squad back into form ahead of the business end of the season.

A wondrous solo effort from Phil Foden was complemented by Bernardo Silva’s sweet second-half finish, and for all of the Tynesiders’ resilience and cohesion as a unit, they could not muster the requisite attacking impetus to silence the City crowd.

Now four points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, albeit with two games in hand, Newcastle need to dust off the cobwebs of this indifferent spell of form and forge a path back to prominence.

Howe will demand contribution from every inch of his squad, which is why Jamaal Lascelles’ performance in the den of the current league champions will have been most pleasing.

Did Lascelles prove his worth vs Man City?

Part of a £7m double signing from Nottingham Forest – alongside goalkeeper Karl Darlow – in 2014, Lascelles has been a stalwart for Newcastle, and while he has found opportunities harder to come by this term, the defeat against City only his second Premier League start of the season, his display adds an invaluable layer to his side’s depth.

And with Fabian Schar unavailable due to concussion, the 29-year-old stepped in and performed admirably, with imperious City talisman Erling Haaland restricted to two off-target strikes and conceding defeat in all three of his attempted dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Sofascore also recorded Lascelles’ six clearances, invaluable in ensuring City were not provided total dominance in the away side’s offensive third, also completing 83% of his passes and recording 60 touches despite City’s ball-playing excellence.

The Newcastle Chronicle bestowed a 7/10 match rating upon the Englishman, who last started against Liverpool last October, saying: “Did what he does well and routinely cleared. And will be one of the few defenders to stop Haaland scoring, excellently setting tone with crunch tackle early on. A decent return despite defeat. Man of the match.”

The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson also lauded Lascelles as among “the top marks” for his contribution, and should Howe require his presence for the forthcoming fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he is in good stead to continue his resurgence and impress once again.

While record £63m summer signing Alexander Isak will earn the plaudits for his efforts off the bench, looking lively and leaving journalist Josh Bunting remarking that Newcastle are “at their most dangerous” when he is on the pitch, Lascelles’ display was invaluable in reminding the manager of his depth.

Isak managed a shot on target and a blocked attempt, completing his only dribble attempt and won both of his ground duels; his offensive effort was impressive, and Howe can take solace from both the attacking impact of his star signing and the defensive work of utility option Lascelles.

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery had the first opportunity to stamp his own mark on the squad during the recent January transfer window and made minor adjustments to the side.

The Spanish boss, who arrived from Villarreal to replace Steven Gerrard earlier this season, brought in Jhon Duran and Alex Moreno from Chicago Fire and Real Betis respectively on permanent deals.

He also decided to part ways with experienced goalscorer Danny Ings by allowing the centre-forward to sign for Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The English striker has scored two goals in his last two games for the Hammers, after finding the back of the net six times for Villa during the first half of the campaign, and the club did little to replace his goalscoring prowess.

Duran, 19, came in during the January window and has failed to score or assist a goal in four top-flight appearances so far. The teenager, who scored eight times in 27 MLS appearances in 2022, is a young player who is still learning and developing at first-team level and may need time to establish himself as a frontline option for Emery.

Therefore, in order to bolster the side and afford Duran the time he needs to hit his stride in senior football, the Villa head coach must sign an experienced and proven goalscorer in the summer to compete with Ollie Watkins and replace Ings.

Could Pedro replace Danny Ings at Aston Villa?

The Villans have recently been linked with Flamengo forward Pedro and Emery must attempt to sign the Brazil international as he could be a terrific addition to the squad and a dream replacement for Ings.

South American expert Tim Vickery described the forward as a “local hero” in his home country and former Brazil head coach Tite dubbed him “special”.

The 25-year-old, who once played in Italy for Fiorentina, has plundered ten goals and two assists in ten appearances in all competitions this season.

This comes after the 6 foot 1 marksman managed an eye-catching 29 goals and ten assists in 59 outings in the 2021/22 campaign – including a stunning 12 goals in 13 Libertadores matches.

Pedro, who has scored once in four caps for Brazil, only started seven of those 13 Libertadores games and created an impressive six ‘big chances’ for his teammates to go along with his exceptional goal haul, which shows that the attacker is capable of creating opportunities for others whilst punishing teams with his own finishing.

The Brazilian goal machine has proven himself to be a reliable player at the top end of the pitch for Flamengo over the last 18 months, earning himself a call-up for his country, and his exceptional form since the start of last season is why he could be a dream replacement for Ings at Villa Park.

Manchester United won their first major trophy in six years by defeating Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley over the weekend and it looks like Erik ten Hag is proving to be the manager the Old Trafford side have wanted since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Just like Fergie, the Dutchman isn’t dwelling too much on success, preferring to look ahead to the future and strengthen his squad for bigger tests to come.

What is the latest on Kim Min-jae to Man Utd?

With the Red Devils recently linked with a move for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae according to Corriere dello Sport (via GOAL) Ten Hag looks as though he has identified a player who could improve his backline.

The defender has a release clause of £42m which will be activated for 15 days during the summer transfer window and this could be the ideal opportunity for United to strike, especially with his performances this term.

Would Kim Min-jae improve Man Utd?

The Dutchman is still undergoing his rebuild of the United squad despite recent success, and with the likes of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof not receiving as much game time compared to last term, another centre-back will surely be required once the transfer window opens.

The South Korean “rock” – as described by Matteo Bonetti – has been exactly that for Napoli this term as they eye their first League title in over 30 years. The defender has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.3/10 for his league performances, ranking him as the club’s fourth-best player this term.

He has kept ten clean sheets from 23 matches and won 63% of his total duels while making 1.7 tackles and four clearances per game, underlining just how important he is to the club.

He could form an excellent partnership with United defender Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentinian centre-back settling into life at the club with ease and the duo would be an excellent defensive pairing.

Indeed, Martinez is also ranked as the fourth-best player for his club in the league this term, while also winning 61% of his total duels, making 3.6 clearances and 2.4 tackles, becoming one of Ten Hag’s most important signings this season.

The duo have registered similar statistics this campaign with regard to pass completion rate (90% to 87%), tackles won (23 to 20), aerial duels won (66% to 54.9%), and interceptions (26 to 22).

Both Martinez and Jae also rank in the top 20% for progressive passes across Europe’s big five leagues so not only do they possess an incredible defensive ability, but they can start attacks regularly from deep.

Bonetti also described the Napoli star as “unbelievably good” and if Ten Hag wants to take his defence to the next level, signing him should be a priority this summer.

West Ham United could move for a Premier League midfielder this summer as they look destined to lose Declan Rice at the end of the current season.

What’s the latest on Scott McTominay to West Ham?

According to Football Insider, West Ham could make a move for McTominay this summer after Manchester United revealed they are prepared to listen to offers for the midfielder.

The Old Trafford side believes they could get £25m for the 26-year-old and with David Moyes preparing for life after Rice, a summer swoop for the Scot could potentially be on the cards.

The Englishman has admitted he wants to play Champions League football and with the Hammers looking for in excess of £100m for their prized asset, they will have plenty of funds to lure McTominay to London.

Would signing McTominay be the end for Rice at West Ham?

The United player has been a one-club man for his entire career, just like Rice, yet he hasn’t enjoyed the finest of seasons under Erik ten Hag this term.

The midfielder has played 25 times this term, yet completed 90 minutes in just eight matches and he could well see this campaign as his last at the Red Devils.

Having played 195 matches for United, scoring 18 goals, it looks like a fresh start is what’s needed, and Moyes could potentially land a player who has yet to hit his peak years.

McTominay enjoyed his finest football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, especially during the 2020/21 season where he averaged a rating of 7.08/10 across 32 Premier League appearances, ranking him as the fifth-best player in United’s squad that term.

He scored four goals, created three big chances, and made 0.5 key passes as he displayed his attacking talents while also averaging 53.1 touches per match, showing extreme confidence in his ability to dictate possession.

By winning 59% of his total duels and making 1.6 tackles and 1.3 clearances per match, it was arguably his defensive skills that were most of use to United, screening the back four with his ability and physical presence.

Indeed, he was even dubbed a “physical monster” by Solskjaer following a match against Manchester City and despite recent seasons not quite living up to expectations, if Moyes could return him to that kind of form, he will be an excellent addition, even if it may well mean the end for their captain’s time in the east of London.

With proven Premier League experience, however, McTominay would be the logical replacement for Rice should he depart the club this summer and for a £25m fee, it would be a bargain.

Leeds United have reportedly approached Al-Gharafa manager Pedro Martins ahead of a potential move to Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Martins profiled

Martins, who is best known for his four-year stint in charge of Olympiacos, has only been with Al-Gharafa since November, taking just five games with the Saudi side.

The 52-year-old likes to play a 4-2-3-1 formation and has a huge 558 games of experience as a manager, winning 277 of those. He has wins over Mikel Arteta, Sean Dyche and Nuno Espirito Santo on his CV, and it looks as if Leeds are keen on his services.

The Latest: Leeds update

Journalist Pedro Jorge da Cunha shared a story for Zero Zero on Tuesday evening regarding Martins and Leeds.

He said that an informal approach has been made, with talks set to resume between the two parties in the coming days, and Martins is keen on a move to England.

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The Verdict: Finally?

The Whites have been dealt a number of setbacks when it comes to finding Jesse Marsch’s successor, but it seems as if they may well be onto something with Martins, who appears to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

A move could be a gamble, though, due to his lack of experience in a top European league. Martins did average 2.13 points per game with Olympiacos and won four major honours in Greece, so hopefully, should he move to Yorkshire, he’ll adapt to coaching in England relatively quickly, especially with Leeds in another relegation battle.

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has revealed that Elland Road officials ‘admire’ Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola.

The Lowdown: Iraola profiled

Iraola began his managerial career at AEK Larnaca back in 2018 and has also been in charge of CD Mirandes before taking over at Rayo Vallecano in 2020.

The 40-year-old likes to play a 4-2-3-1 system and has averaged 1.53 points per game with Los Vallecanos in 118 matches. Iraola actually ended his playing career at New York City as a team-mate of Jack Harrison, with the Spaniard making 21 appearances alongside the Leeds star, and it now seems as if he is of interest to potentially take over from Jesse Marsch, who was sacked on Monday.

The Latest: Leeds interest

Hay took to Twitter on Monday evening, stating that Iraola is ‘one of the coaches Leeds United particularly admire’ as he shared a corresponding article from The Athletic.

The reliable reporter said that the 40-year-old ‘has built a very good team’ at Rayo Vallecano and is on Leeds’ radar as a result.

The Verdict: Shrewd move?

Iraola has led Rayo Vallecano to fifth place in La Liga this season after 20 games, drawing with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and defeating Real Madrid.

All Leeds TV presenter Oscar Marrio believes that the Spaniard has a similar philosophy to another reported Whites managerial target in Carlos Corberan – ‘high pressing, possession based football with a heavy emphasis on maintaining width’.

Therefore, a Leeds swoop for Iraola by owner Andrea Radrizzani and Paraag Marathe, the president of investors 49ers Enterprises – who appear to have the decisive say when it comes to managerial decisions – could prove to be a shrewd one. However, his lack of Premier League experience may also make it a risk, with the club once again involved in a relegation battle.

One major problem at Manchester United in recent times has been the inability to offload players who are surplus to requirements, with the long-serving Phil Jones the most obvious example of a figure who has arguably outstayed his welcome.

By contrast, there have also seemingly been occasions where the Red Devils have hastily moved players on, only to see that decision blow up in their face, with promising youngster Angel Gomes one such talent who has thrived since exiting Old Trafford.

The diminutive playmaker – who was part of England’s U17 World Cup-winning squad under Steve Cooper in 2017 – had been earmarked for big things at United after making his first-team debut at the tail end of the 2016/17 campaign, with the then-16-year-old replacing Wayne Rooney late on at home to Crystal Palace.

Despite that early bow under Jose Mourinho, the 5 foot 6 starlet was unable to force his way into the senior setup on a consistent basis, going on to make just ten appearances for the club over the next three years.

Lauded as an “unbelievable” talent by former youth coach Nicky Butt, the London-born sensation particularly fell by the wayside during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge, with the Norwegian said to have taken a ‘dim view’ of the youngster’s failure to agree to a new contract.

That “dispute” – as worded by Butt – ultimately ended with Gomes moving on when his deal expired in summer 2020, having only made six appearances under Solskjaer during the 2019/20 campaign.

Having had concerns over his ability to earn a regular place in the team at the Theatre of Dreams, the then-teenager took the decision to join Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer, having since proven his former employers wrong for allowing him to depart.

After an impressive season on loan at Primeira Liga outfit Boavista in 2020/21, in which he provided 12 goals and assists in 32 games in all competitions, the eye-catching ace subsequently returned to his parent club the following year, forcing his way into the first-team reckoning at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

After recording three goals and two assists in 30 games last season, the Englishman has truly “exploded” this term according to journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos, who added that Gomes has proven himself as a player who “makes a difference” in the final third.

This breakthrough campaign has seen the 22-year-old score three goals and provided three assists in 24 games to date, ensuring that he ranks in the top 15% among his positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues for assists.

It is the quality of the £12k-per-week youngster’s goal contributions which have particularly caught the eye, however, having netted a stunning long-range strike against Pau last month before following that up with a “filthy backheel assist” against Rennes earlier this week, as per writer Zach Lowy.

That remarkable rise in recent months has ensured that Gomes is now valued at around £13m according to CIES Football Observatory, albeit with that figure only set to increase should his impactful displays continue.

With Erik ten Hag’s side currently lacking a playmaking alternative to Bruno Fernandes, it may well be a source of frustration for United to see their former creative asset blossoming in France.