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Carlo Ancelotti must ruthlessly axe Alex Iwobi when Everton travel to Arsenal on Friday night, having been his side’s worst-performing player against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Iwobi has struggled to establish himself as a key part of Ancelotti’s plans over recent months but was given the nod to start for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, in what proved to be the Portuguese’s final game in charge.

A brace from Harry Kane either side of strikes from Gylfi Sigurdsson ensured the points were shared, but the axe fell on Mourinho’s tenure after 17 months despite guiding the north Londoners to this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Iwobi has been given frequent chances to inspire a turnaround of his form with starting roles in four of the Toffees’ last five Premier League games, yet he has not scored since January 12 or provided an assist since December 16th.

His goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers to help to a 2-1 victory at Molineux remains the Nigerian winger’s only strike of the top-flight campaign, while being without an assist in 15 appearances after ending an eight-game drought with his second of the term at Leicester City.

Ancelotti must now call time on Iwobi’s run in the starting line-up with the Italian set to welcome 14-goal top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin back from an abductor injury, after seeing Iwobi flounder against Tottenham as the worst of Everton’s starting options.

The Liverpool Echo graded Iwobi with their joint-lowest match rating at just four out of 10, having carelessly turned over possession throughout the first half, including in the build-up to Spurs’ opening goal, while The Guardian described his performance as ‘anonymous’.

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Iwobi was even given the worst match rating of any player for either side by SofaScore at 6.1 out of 10, while WhoScored graded the Toffees’ £50,000-per-week winger at six out of 10 – only Tanguy Ndombele (5.9) was given a lower score for an outfield player.

The Blues’ £34m former Arsenal dynamo earned such woeful grades having missed the target with his only shot of the night, created no goalscoring chances, made fewer accurate passes (18) than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (21) and lost a whopping 87% of his duels.

Iwobi contested eight challenges at home to Tottenham last Friday but emerged victorious in just one of seven battles on the ground and lost his only aerial contest. He also failed to beat a visiting player with either of his two attempted dribbles.

It was a performance miles from his normal standards, having averaged a modest 51% duel success over his 27 Premier League appearances (16 starts) this season, with success in 2.9 ground challenges (53%) and 0.1 aerial (27%), while making 1.6 successful dribbles (64%).

Altogether, Iwobi’s shocking efforts before being hauled off in the 61st minute meant he earned his lowest SofaScore match rating in 46 appearances across all competitions for Everton – dating back to a 5.3 out of 10 achieved during a 3-1 win over Chelsea at Goodison Park in December 2019.

Ancelotti cannot reward Iwobi for a performance that off the pace by starting him away to his former side on Friday night, and the return of top-scorer Calvert-Lewin will ensure the Italian has an option to slot straight into his starting line-up.

AND in other news, Everton have been told to pay £34.5m for a 23-year-old that Carlo Ancelotti would welcome at Goodison Park…

Barry Ferguson has suggested that Glasgow Rangers winger Ryan Kent is worth at least £20m in today’s market.

Ferguson discusses Kent

Kent was in terrific form for the Gers against Celtic in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Sunday, forcing an own goal from Jonjoe Kenny as the Gers won 2-0. His performances this season have attracted interest from Leeds, who are said to be ready to offer £15m for the 24-year-old (The Scottish Sun).

Writing for the Daily Record, Ferguson believes that Kent is worth £20m at least. He said:

“How much could we be talking for the Englishman? No less than £20million for a player who has time on his side.”

Massive increase on market value

Kent is currently valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt – £20m would therefore represent a 192% increase on that figure, which is a considerable amount. With 11 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, this has been the former Liverpool man’s most productive season as a professional footballer.

The reported interest from Leeds could well be matched by a number of other clubs during the summer transfer window. As Ferguson says, Kent has plenty of years ahead of him and has already shown bags of promise.

As per WhoScored, he has been the Gers’ second-best performer this season, while only James Tavernier has a higher tally of goal contributions in the Premieship among Steven Gerrard’s squad.

The likelihood is that he will end up in the English Premier League at some point in the future. Whenever he departs Ibrox, Ross Wilson and co must make sure that they get the right price for him.

In other news, many Rangers fans lauded this man’s performance against Celtic.

Some Everton fans have been reacting to an update on the contract situation of Thierry Small at the Goodison Park faithful.

As per the Liverpool Echo, talks between the Merseyside club and the left-back are ‘progressing’, after a previous report had claimed that he was reluctant to commit his long-term future at the Toffees, as he was not being given enough opportunities with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, including just being able to train with them.

As such, a number of clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Leeds United, have become interested in signing up the 16-year-old should he wish to leave the Blues.

However, the Echo have reported that discussions over a potential new deal are ‘continuing as planned’ and that he and his camp are ‘relaxed’ about the negotiations.

Everton fans on Small contract update

These EFC supporters reacted to the contract update on Twitter, with some calling for the young English talent to be sent out on loan in order to get more of a taste of men’s football:

“At least there’s progression. Get him a decent contract and get him out on loan for a couple of years to somewhere he’ll actually develop”

Credit: @TheDanMox

“Seems to be a lot of anticipation surrounding this kid, I hope he stays”

Credit: @Paul1971EFC

“Can’t lose this player. Would rather have 2 more seasons from Digne and then Small becomes a first teamer if he is still progressing.”

Credit: @cjmarston

“And then here is the reality… absolutely nothing to be worried about”

Credit: @NeilA1878

“I get the fact he wants first-team football. The same shower that are berating him are probably the ones that will rip him to shreds if he has a bad game, a la Tom Davies and Barkley”

Credit: @Paulm696

“He’s only 16 and he’s moaning about more first-team football? Send him out on loan”

Credit: @Riley87Js

In other news, find out what early team news before Crystal Palace has been lauded by Toffees here!

Robin Olsen reportedly wishes to no longer stay at Everton following the news of an armed robbery while at home with his family earlier this month.

As per Calciomercato, the Sweden international could return to AS Roma and stay at the Serie A club following the end of his loan spell at the Goodison Park faithful, not wanting to stay on Merseyside after what happened at his home.

Everton should keep Olsen

The Merseyside club should be looking to convince Olsen to stay on a permanent deal once his loan at the Toffees comes to an end.

The 31-year-old is vastly experienced and is more than capable of providing some decent competition to Jordan Pickford in between the posts in the future.

Some of his displays so far this season have been very impressive to say the least, with former Premier League striker, now pundit, Kevin Phillips even going as far as to claiming that he was ‘amazing’ in a game against Leeds United back in February.

Even though Joao Virginia has emerged from the shadows in recent times following injuries to both Pickford and Olsen, the latter should still be considered Carlo Ancelotti’s number two goalkeeper, and given Roma’s willingness to let him go out on loan, coupled up wit the fact that he is 31 years of age, Olsen may well be available at a decent price for the Toffees.

In other news, find out what injury update has been lauded by Blues here!

Rangers take on their Old Firm rivals at Ibrox on Sunday, with Steven Gerrard’s side hoping to continue their unbeaten run in the Premiership this season by avoiding defeat.

After being knocked out of the Scottish Cup last weekend, the Gers will be fully focused on finishing the league season unbeaten, with just three games between themselves and an invincible campaign.

Although they have largely had the better of Celtic this season, the Parkhead club will undoubtedly be out to seek revenge after Rangers denied them a 10th successive title, so they would take great pleasure in handing the champions their first league defeat of the campaign.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Gerrard to line up for the Old Firm derby, with two changes from the team which started against St Johnstone last time out…

Allan McGregor unsurprisingly keeps his place in goal and he will be hoping for a repeat performance of the last time Rangers faced the Hoops, when he saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.

There’s one change in defence as, after Filip Helander was ruled out for the season, Jack Simpson starts alongside Connor Goldson at centre-back, with Leon Balogun also sidelined.

Steven Davis and Glen Kamara start together in midfield, with the £5.4m-rated Kemar Roofe earning a start ahead of them after some strong recent displays.

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Joe Aribo moves to the right wing in place of Ianis Hagi, who has struggled recently, whilst Ryan Kent starts on the opposite flank, supporting Alfredo Morelos up front.

In other news… Bye-bye Kamara: Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “very good” 22 y/o

Brentford striker Ivan Toney has gifted David Moyes a huge boost in West Ham United’s rumoured plans for a summer transfer, after declaring himself Premier League ready while speaking with the Daily Mail over the weekend.

The Irons have been widely credited with an interest in the Bees’ Championship star since the winter market, when Sebastien Haller’s move to AFC Ajax left Michail Antonio as Moyes’ only recognised senior centre-forward.

Toney was considered to be one of three options topping Moyes’ shortlist for potential summer targets last month, alongside Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham.

West Ham striving to seal a deal for Toney could prove expensive, with reports by TEAMtalk suggesting Brentford will demand £30m after selling Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa for £28m rising to £33m in September. Football League World have also claimed a £35m asking price.

Either sum would be a large outlay for a player only boasting 10 minutes of Premier League football in their career, but Toney has gifted Moyes a huge boost by declaring himself ready for the step up to the top-flight.

“I feel like I’m more than ready to step up into the Premier League,” the 25-year-old said. “I feel the qualities the players have, I can fit in perfectly. The deliveries the players get, I’d be able to get on the end of crosses. I feel like I would slot into the majority of teams in the Premier League.”

Toney’s confidence on the back of a 29-goal, 10-assist and counting Championship campaign should give Moyes all the reason needed to urge West Ham to fund a summer swoop, for a player who could become the Hammers’ third-most expensive signing of all time.

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Toney wasted no time in settling into life at Brentford following a 24-goal, six-assist season in League One with Peterborough United last term, with the Northampton-born frontman striking home seven times in his first six Championship appearances under Thomas Frank.

The 2019/20 League One top-scorer has continued to establish himself as a free-scoring machine in the second-tier since, with Toney topping the goal charts by four to Norwich City’s Teemu Pukki (25) and eight to fellow Irons target Adam Armstrong (21) of Blackburn Rovers.

He could now follow in the footsteps of Watkins by leaving Brentford for the Premier League, where the Aston Villa forward has 12 goals to his name and impressed Gareth Southgate to earn his England debut last month.

Toney has the potential to eclipse Watkins’ successes in the top-flight too, with Darren Bent waxing lyrical over the prolific £21,000-per-week marksman at the Villans star’s expense.

“His movement is absolutely superb – [he] senses where the danger is going to be and gets himself in there,” Bent told talkSPORT in January. “He’s good in the air and he has two good feet. But where I think he excels to a Ollie Watkins and a [Neal] Maupay is that I think he’s more clinical. In and around that box with his finishing – I think he’s more cultured to his finishing.”

Toney has scored more often in the Championship this season than Pukki and Armstrong despite taking fewer shots, with the Brentford marksman attempting 117 efforts to his rivals respective 126 and 170, per WhoScored.

He has also scored more in the air with six headed goals to Pukki’s one and Armstrong’s two, which could see Toney prove to be the ideal striker for West Ham who rank second only to Chelsea (5) for accurate crosses (4.9) per Premier League game this season.

It may take a lot for West Ham to seal a deal with Brentford, and would become increasingly complicated should the Bees secure promotion, but Moyes should be urging the London Stadium hierarchy to launch a swoop this summer.

AND in other news, a £4.5m-rated West Ham enforcer is being lined up for a summer move out of east London…

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to a fitness update form Steven Gerrard, who confirmed Connor Goldson will not play against St Mirren.

After the emphatic win over Celtic, Rangers’ recent defeat to Kilmarnock was a real punch in the gut, and their arch-rivals have now opened up six-point gap at the summit of the table.

While the Gers did get things back on track with a 3-0 win over Livingston before a relatively easy cup victory over Cowdenbeath, fans are fearing the worst with Goldson still out.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

It’s no coincidence that the defeat at Kilmarnock came in the defender’s absence, as he is the one individual in Gerrard’s young core of defenders that really leads and organises the group.

The boss confirmed he will miss out against St Mirren, though he did not give an indication about his status for the Aberdeen match next week.

Fans are fearing the worst about a Goldson-less future after Joe Worrall’s catastrophic mistake at Kilmarnock, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Manchester City made it four Carabao Cup wins in a row as they edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Here are our City player ratings from the game:

Starting XI

Zack Steffen: 6/10

Had nothing to do in the first half. Tipped a Lo Celso effort around the post early on in the second 45 and that proved to be the only real save he had to make.

Kyle Walker: 6/10

Barely touched the ball in the first half as City dominated but attacked down the left. Did well to get back and cover when Hojbjerg was found in the box after a quick Spurs counter.

Ruben Dias: 7/10

Great tackle on Kane to stop a Spurs counter-attack, although it was somehow given as a foul. Kane and Son barely had a sniff, although the Portuguese defender looked comfortable, he was dominant in everything he needed to do.

Aymeric Laporte: 7/10

Fortunate to not get an early booking after losing the ball to Lucas Moura and dragging him down when he could have countered. Eventually was shown a yellow card for scything down Moura again when he was running forward dangerously. Opened the scoring with a great header from De Bruyne’s cross, which proved to be the winner.

Joao Cancelo: 7/10

A lot of City’s play was going down the left-hand side in the first half and the Portuguese international was heavily involved. Denied by a flying save from Lloris after being found by Mahrez on the edge of the box. Did well to tackle Kane when he threatened to break into the box before picking out Foden to kick start a counter. Defended really well when he had to and looked excellent going forward.

Fernandinho: 6/10

Lovely through ball to set up Sterling but his clipped shot went wide. Picked up a Fernandinho-esque booking for stopping Hojbjerg on the counter. Headed straight at Lloris after a great ball into the box. Replaced by Rodri with 10 minutes remaining.

Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10

Helped to dictate play in the first 45 but didn’t get forward as much as we’re used to seeing him do. Couldn’t quite get enough contact on a cross from Mahrez and headed over the bar. Volleyed well wide after being found in the box by Sterling.

Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10

A superb pass was inches away from finding Sterling, the Belgian was regularly found in excellent positions in the first half and his crosses were as dangerous as ever. Surprisingly wasteful when found in the area by Mahrez early in the second half. Great ball in from a free-kick for Laporte to score the opening goal. Replaced by Bernardo Silva late on.

Phil Foden: 8/10

Turned Sterling’s cross just wide, did well to rob Alderweireld to set up an early chance. Good quick thinking to set up Sterling for a great chance, but his effort was blocked. Came very close to opening the scoring when his shot was blocked onto the post by Alderweireld. Involved in so many of the good things that City did at Wembley and the £63m-rated “superstar” was a thorn in Spurs’ side throughout.

Riyad Mahrez: 7/10

So close to opening the scoring after a delightful touch from Cancelo’s cross-field pass with his curled effort only just wide of Lloris’ goal. Hits another great effort inches over just a few minutes later. A superb run and shot saw him denied by Lloris.

Raheem Sterling: 5/10

Had a great early opportunity after a loose pass from Son but was slow to get a shot away and was tackled by Aurier. Did well to set up an early chance for Foden after turning Aurier inside the area. Had another great chance to open the scoring but saw his shot blocked by Dier. Perhaps a little too greedy late on as he regularly tried to get a goal rather than passing to his teammates. Played better than in recent weeks but once again, he lacked the finishing touch.

Subs

Rodri: 6/10

Helped to see the game out late on.

Bernardo Silva: 6/10

Had a lot of touches despite only playing the last few minutes, he helped City to secure their win.

And, in other news… Guardiola dealt huge blow as “genius” superstar edges closer to agreement 

Rangers take on their Old Firm rivals in the Premiership on Sunday, with Steven Gerrard’s side looking to finish the league season unbeaten having already brought title number 55 to Ibrox.

The Gers were knocked out of the Europa League in midweek after suffering a 2-0 defeat at home against Slavia Prague, which was their first home defeat in just over a year.

Gerrard has some big calls to make when it comes to deciding who to start against Celtic, with Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun having both been sent off against the Czech side in midweek.

It also looks as if Nathan Patterson could miss the game at the weekend, which gives Gerrard a headache when it comes to selecting a right-back for the derby.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Gerrard to line his side up, with three changes from the team which started against Slavia on Thursday…

Allan McGregor continues in goal, having been one of Rangers’ most impressive performers so far this season.

There’s one change in defence as, in the absence of Patterson, Leon Balogun moves to right-back, which sees Filip Helander come back in to partner Connor Goldson.

After receiving racial abuse on Thursday, Gerrard should perhaps be mindful that Glen Kamara might not be in the right frame of mind to play on Sunday, so he is rested and Bongani Zungu replaces him in defensive midfield.

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Joe Aribo and Steven Davis, the latter fresh from signing a new deal, start ahead of him in midfield, with the Nigerian dropping further back after featuring on the wing against Slavia.

This allows Ianis Hagi to return to the side in Gerrard’s third and final change, with Scott Arfield – who reportedly earns £17,500k per week at Rangers – dropping out after a disappointing display on Thursday.

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Hagi completes the dangerous trio of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, with those three likely to be the key to whether or not Rangers can come away with all three points on Sunday.

In other news… Wilson can sign Rangers’ ideal Defoe heir with swoop for prolific £6.3m-rated beast

Crystal Palace have made contact with Eddie Howe ahead of him possibly becoming Roy Hodgson’s replacement at Selhurst Park.

That’s according to an exclusive report from Football Insider, who have been informed by a Palace source that the club have spoken to the former Bournemouth manager.

Howe reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Celtic earlier this month, but the Englishman has dramatically had second thoughts over a move to Parkhead.

The 43-year-old, along with Burnley boss Sean Dyche, is among the frontrunners to replace Hodgson, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Transfer Tavern take

This summer could well be vital for Palace both on and off the pitch, so bringing in a young manager like Howe could be a shrewd move.

The average age of the Palace squad is 28.8, which is the highest in the Premier League. Twelve players are reportedly out of contract over the coming months as well, so a summer rebuild appears to be on the cards.

Howe has enjoyed previous success of rebuilding a squad when he took Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League in the space of six seasons, so he could be the ideal man to take over from Hodgson.

It also seems as if he could be given a handy transfer kitty ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, so that may tempt him to south London over a move to Glasgow.

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to latest Zaha development, find out more here.