Return of Max Walter

[Caesar]

Manchester City selling its entire squad on EA Sports soccer games.

Seven points off Europe with 24 matches to go? Tall task but a possible one. Some nice signings as well even though we know Werner's a bum and injecting some Yanited stank into your team is a choice.

[ShireNiner]

Manchester City selling its entire squad on EA Sports soccer games.

Seven points off Europe with 24 matches to go? Tall task but a possible one. Some nice signings as well even though we know Werner's a bum and injecting some Yanited stank into your team is a choice.

12 matches left, 38 games in the Prem. You should learn that know that you are promoted to the big leagues.

I was always a fan of Werner even though he sucked. I’ll make him good.

[Caesar]

Manchester City selling its entire squad on EA Sports soccer games.

Seven points off Europe with 24 matches to go? Tall task but a possible one. Some nice signings as well even though we know Werner's a bum and injecting some Yanited stank into your team is a choice.

12 matches left, 38 games in the Prem. You should learn that know that you are promoted to the big leagues.

I was always a fan of Werner even though he sucked. I’ll make him good.

48 isn't even right for the Championship. Don't know why I looked at that and thought "24 more matches" Blame it on end of year brain fog.

[ShireNiner]

George makes his first start for Everton in a 1-1 draw at Fulham (ShireNiner PS5 images)


Everton look promising but failed to finish, drawing 1-1 at Fulham

By: Callum Ridgeway, EvertonCorrespondent
Feburary 7, 2026

If there was ever a match to summarize the high-wire act that is Max Walter’s Everton, it was this rain-slicked afternoon by the Thames. For 87 minutes, Everton were sublime. For the final three, they were a chaotic mess.

Everton arrived at Craven Cottage and proceeded to play what many observers are calling their most complete performance under the German-American. Dominating 54% of possession and outshooting the hosts 13-7, the Toffees looked like a team finally playing Walter’s tactical style fluently. Yet, as the final whistle blew, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw that felt like a defeat.

The headline of the first half was the debut of Chris Führich. The £7.7 million signing from Stuttgart looked like he had been playing in this Everton side for years. In a tireless 90-minute display, Führich registered four chances created and two shots; his best moment came in the 28th minute with a perfectly placed cross to Richarlison for Everton's only goal.

On the opposite flank, Tyrique George made his first start since his high-profile move from Chelsea. While he didn't grab the headlines like Führich, the 19-year-old showed glimpses of why Walter was willing to sacrifice James Tarkowski to get him. George created a significant opening in the 60th minute and showed a maturity in his defensive tracking before being replaced in the 70th minute to a warm ovation from the traveling Blues.

Richarlison had his best game since returning to the Blues, with eight shots, five on target, and a 3.1 xG by himself. On another day, the Brazilian has a hat-trick and is doing the pigeon dance along the Thames, but today was not his day for glory.

Despite Everton’s dominance—evidenced by their 274 passes to Fulham’s 208—they failed to find the "insurance" goal. In the 88th minute, the risk of Walter’s high line was exposed most predictably.

With Everton committed forward in search of a second, Fulham launched a counter-attack. Samuel Chukwueze found space on the break and delivered a fizzing low cross that eluded the lunging Emmanuel Agbadou. Rodrigo Muniz, largely anonymous all afternoon, was in the right place to tap home the equalizer, breaking Everton hearts and sending Marco Silva’s side into a frenzied celebration.

The draw is the second in a row for Everton, despite looking more promising and more threatening for most of the match, the points were shared as Everton continues searching for a winning formula.

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Everton:
Goals - Richarlison (28)
Assists - Führich (28)

Fulham:
Goals - Muniz (87)
Assists - Chukwueze (87)

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What did you think of this story?

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Callum Ridgewayis a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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Comments

[ShireNiner]

Official transfer list for January 2026.

[RMJH4]

Nice bit of work summarising the January window. That takes a fair bit of time to do so I appreciate it anyway! Tough game vs Fulham. Are you gonna take a stab at 442?!what formation have you been using, sorry if I missed it.

[ShireNiner]

Nice bit of work summarising the January window. That takes a fair bit of time to do so I appreciate it anyway! Tough game vs Fulham. Are you gonna take a stab at 442?!what formation have you been using, sorry if I missed it.

Thank you, now that I have the spreadsheet setup, it is pretty quick to update.

I am using a mix of 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 with either one or two DMs depending on who we play. Against the better sides, I use a second defensive mid and against sides that play defensive, I use two attacking mids.

I have never used a 4-4-2 but maybe I will try it in a few games once we know if Europe is an option or now. If we are down to the final 5 games and have nothing to play for, I might try it.

[ShireNiner]

Jordan Pickford has started every league game for Everton this season(ShireNiner PS5 images.)

Pickford, O’Brien injured in training colloision.

By: Callum Ridgeway
Everton Correspondent

In a rare training accident, Everton will be down two starters against AFC Bournemouth this weekend and possibly longer. Jordan Pickford and right back Jake O'Brien collided during corner routines.

“Just a freak accident. One was going for a header, and the other was trying to catch the ball, and they collided.” Manager Max Walter said. “We will reevaluate them in a few days and see the timeline for each to return.”

Replacing Pickford in goal will be Mark Travers, who has made 24 Premier League starts for Bournemouth in the last five seasons and has featured in two EFL cups for Everton this year.

“Trav, making his first start against his old club, is a fitting coincidence for him. I know he will be motivated to put in a good showing against them.” Walter said.
Right-back is an easy transition; Nathan Patterson, the regular backup, will be making the start.

Everton hosts Bournemouth on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

What did you think of this story?

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake



More from ShireNiner Nation:

• Blades make statement signings - survival a must now
• United back to winning ways after rare stumble
• Max exodus in Texas

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Comments

[James]

I like Richarlison in FIFA, he has a good bit of strength that helps when holding up play or shoving off defenders when driving into the box.

[kibaxx7]

That's a superb job with the Transfermarkt update