What The Papers Say - 1 January

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

James Tarkowski spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after Tuesday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The defender praised the Blues' resilience in a professional performance against Forest, who had 70% possession in the clash but were unable to find a way through.

"We knew that they were going to have more of the ball to be honest", Tarkowski commented.

"With the team we had and the way that we set out, we were never going to set out to openly press all over the pitch. We were happy to let them have the ball in certain spaces.

"Obviously I don't want us to defend on the edge of our box all game but I thought we were pretty resilient for most of it."

Fabrizio Romano claims that Everton have entered the race for Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson.

BBC SPORT speculates that Crystal Palace have agreed a fee with Spurs for the Welsh international, but the Italian journalist believes that Johnson is yet to agree personal terms with the Eagles.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano reveals that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in the 24-year-old. 

"Brennan Johnson has to decide whether he wants to go to Crystal Palace or wait for other opportunities," Romano said.

"It is my understanding that Bournemouth are ready to pay the transfer fee, and there are also Sunderland and Everton calling in the last 24 hours. So now Brennan Johnson has to decide what he wants to do in terms of technical project, in terms of contract, in terms of city - he’s based in London, obviously."

Meanwhile, Dale Johnson, writing for BBC SPORT, states that the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel confirmed that Everton should have received a penalty in the 1-0 loss against league leaders Arsenal.

The Blues claimed for a spot-kick early in the second half when Thierno Barry was felled by William Saliba, but Sam Barrott's original decision not to award a penalty was confirmed by VAR.

Johnson writes: "The panel voted 3-2 that the on-field decision by referee Sam Barrott to not award a penalty was incorrect.

"It also voted 3-2 that video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Salisbury should have sent the match official to the monitor to change his decision.

"Three panel members noted "Saliba carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball" and they felt it was a clear and obvious error."