Everton fans stage protest at Goodison Park amid growing anger at owner and the board
'Pereira out, Lampard in' has been graffitied on the ground
Hundreds of Everton supporters gathered outside Goodison Park last night in a protest to show their dissatisfaction with the running of the club.
Chants of "sack the board" and "Kenwright and co., it's time to go" echoed outside the stadium as fans paraded around the ground.
Although the protest was mainly civil, a image of Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright on the ground was spray painted over.
It comes just days after graffiti was found on Goodison Park reading 'Pereira out, Lampard in'.
The protest comes amid rumours of former Porto manager Vitor Pereira being a contender for the Toffee's much needed managerial replacement.
The Everton managerial candidate has admitted he is hurt by fan opposition to his potential appointment but it has not put him off wanting the job.
The Portuguese has emerged as owner Farhad Moshiri's preferred option to replace the sacked Rafael Benitez - whose appointment as a former Liverpool boss created even greater discontent.
However, reports the former Porto and Fenerbahce coach was edging closer to becoming the seventh permanent boss in six years led to the message 'Pereira out, Lampard in' being painted on a wall at Goodison Park, a reference to former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard who has also been on the interview shortlist.
Asked whether the graffiti hurt him, he told said: "Of course. This is the first time in my career I have seen this kind of thing, I've never had these comments about me.
"I think these critics are not directed at me. It is the environment now as the club is not in a good position and the supporters are passionate - and this passion is the power of the club.
"They don't know me, my work or me as a person or my CV. I don't take it as a personal attack. I work in a lot of countries, different clubs, at different levels, and we got several titles but before you start work and you don't know the person and you cannot judge.
"But I understand the feelings of the supporters because, in the last few years, the club didn't get good results and it is normal they are not happy."
History of Everton FC:
Everton F.C was founded in 1878 and is the second-longest continuous serving club in English top flight football.
The Toffees have played at Goodison since 1892. Before playing at Goodison, Everton used to play at Anfield - where Liverpool F.C now play.
Everton have won nine First Division trophies, one Second Division trophy, five FA Cups, nine FA Charity Shields and one European Cup.
Their last major trophy was an FA Cup win in 1995 (pictured).
One of the Blues' most successful periods was in the 1980's, when they won two of their league titles, an FA Cup and in 1984/85 they won their only European Cup.
Dixie Dean is Everton's top goal scorer, scoring 383 goals in his 433 appearances. Dean played for Everton from 1924 to 1937.
Goal keeper Neville Southall has made the most appearances for The Toffees, playing for them 751 times from 1981 to 1997.
Everton have remained in top flight football for all but four of their seasons. They are third in the all time points ranking for British top-flight football.