Everton picked up an important point at home against Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, drawing 1-1 with Mikel Arteta’s side. In the final clash between the two English heavyweights at Goodison Park, the Gunners took a first-half lead thanks to a goal from Leandro Trossard.
However, a second-half penalty from attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye equalised for the Toffees. It was a controversial decision, too. Myles Lewis-Skelly tumbled into Jack Harrison and brought him down in the box, which was deemed a foul. Ndiaye stepped up and coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner.
It was not a game in which centre-forwards thrived, with Beto not registering a shot and Trossard just three, as per Sofascore. Indeed, a former striker of both clubs, Francis Jeffers, might not have fared better.
Jeffers’ time at Everton
Everton manager David Moyes is now into his second spell as Everton manager, after an 11-year stint between 2002 and 2013. In that time, he worked with some talented attacking players, including the likes of Wayne Rooney, to whom he gave his first team debut.
However, none may be as polarising as Jeffers. The Liverpool-born striker turned into something of a journeyman throughout his career after breaking through at Goodison Park. He impressed in his first few seasons for the club, scoring 18 goals, prompting Arsenal to buy him in 2001 for £10m, including add-ons.
However, for an Arsenal side looking to compete on all fronts, Jeffers struggled, scoring eight times in 39 appearances across two full seasons. Everton brought him back to the club on loan in 2003/04 under Moyes, but it didn’t quite work out.
The former England international played 22 times under the legendary Scottish boss but only managed to score twice, neither of which came in the Premier League. In fact, Jeffers’ two goals both came against Fulham, in the FA Cup fourth round and the resulting replay, which the Toffees lost.
Sadly, Jeffers’ move back to Goodison Park did not go to plan, and he never regained the form he showed in his early career. There is certainly an argument to be made that Moyes is seeing a repeat of that loan move in his current Everton side.
The Everton star who is Moyes’ new Jeffers
Everton signed Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea on deadline day last summer. It was a last-gasp deal for the Albanian striker, who seemed destined to join Ipswich Town before the Toffees snapped him up. However, just as Jeffers struggled on loan at Everton from a ‘big six’ club, Broja has also not had an easy time of things.
In truth, things have not really worked out for the exciting youngster at Goodison Park. He has unfortunately struggled with injuries as an Everton player, suffering from an Achilles tendon issue and an ankle problem.
During his time at the club so far, the 23-year-old has managed just nine appearances, with just two of those coming from the start. He has also played just three games under Moyes so far, but with his return to fitness, he could well be in line for his first start under the Scot before too long.
In top-flight football, Broja has shown that he can be clinical in front of goal. Described as a “complete forward” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Albania international has scored eight goals in the Premier League and ten strikes for Vitesse in the Eredivisie during a loan spell four years ago.
Chelsea
Premier League (2019/20)
1
0
4
Vitesse
Eredivise (2020/21)
30
10
1875
Southampton
Premier League (2021/22)
32
6
1981
Chelsea
Premier League (2022/23)
12
1
287
Chelsea
Premier League (2023/24)
13
1
453
Fulham
Premier League (2023/24)
8
0
81
Everton
Premier League (2024/25)
8
0
205
As the video below from his time at Southampton shows, the 23-year-old is a composed finisher in the penalty box, capable of scoring from all different angles. He is also a true goal-poacher and is able to sniff out chances from nowhere.
It has not worked out for Broja at Everton yet due to the injuries from which he has suffered. However, if he can rediscover his best form towards the end of the season, they could have a deadly striker on their hands.
Saved by Ndiaye: Everton's 6-pass star proved he must be axed this summer
Everton fought back to earn a draw against Arsenal at Goodison Park.
ByAngus Sinclair
