Football: Bakayoko coasts into Everton

WALTER SMITH yesterday took his spending as Everton manager to pounds 16.5m with the pounds 4.5m signing of Ibrahim Bakayoko.

The Ivory Coast international, 21, has signed a five-year deal and his arrival from the French club, Montpellier, will bolster Everton's faltering strike force. The Toffees have failed to score in any of their four home Premiership games this season - and Bakayoko could be plunged straight into the first team for Saturday's Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Goodison.

Bakayoko said: "The Liverpool match could be my first game, and I can hardly wait for it. I just want to get going and am looking forward for the challenge."

The Chester City chairman, Mark Guterman, has announced that he is looking to put the club into administration.

Guterman said: "Since putting the club up for sale over two months ago, I have been in negotiation with a number of potential buyers. I have been very close to finalising a deal, but unfortunately this broke down. I now believe the only way forward is administration."