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Everton FC

Everton FC both started and ended last season well, winning six of their opening 13 games and six of their final 11 matches, but a run of only three wins in 14 games during the middle of the campaign – triggered by their 1-0 Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield in December – ultimately prevented them for qualifying for Europe.

They finished eighth, as they had done during the previous season, but were five points better off, a sign of progress under former Watford FC manager Marco Silva in his first season at Goodison Park.

This summer has seen the departure of veteran defenders Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams with Huddersfield Town FC goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, Manchester City FC's Fabian Delph and Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, who was on loan at Everton FC from FC Barcelona last season, the three new additions to the squad so far.

“Last season we finished really well, the last two or three months,” said Gomes. “Obviously, we had some not so good moments during Christmas and New Year, but we finished really well so we want to come back, get fit and improve that style and way we played in the final months of the season.”