Our Everton jury have returned to have their say following the wins over Crystal Palace and Preston North End in the opening week of the season
David Moyes following Everton's win over Preston
David Moyes following Everton's win over Preston(Image: (Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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Everton made it two wins from two with a Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End on Wednesday night. The 4-0 victory at Deepdale came just days after the Blues kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Thierno Barry was on target at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the forward scored his first hat-trick of his Everton career against North End. And after claiming the matchball, Barry then turned provider for Brennan Johnson.
And following back-to-back victories, our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
Mark McParlan
Firstly, a word for Thierno Barry. Four goals in his first two matches is an outstanding statement of intent. Maybe now we’re seeing an improved young striker after a year of (at times very harsh) Premier League experience now under his belt. When you see what £50-£60million for a striker gets you now, maybe we haven’t done too badly.
In the second half against Crystal Palace, and then for the whole match against Preston, we completely controlled the game. Between James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Harrison Armstrong, Hayden Hackney, and others, our midfield is looking absolutely fantastic.
Equally, two clean sheets have been a delight and hopefully herald a return to defensive solidity under David Moyes, although the chances Crystal Palace created (though missed) in the first half were very concerning.
Pre-match on Wednesday there was a lot of drama about Moyes’ latest comments, essentially equating runs in the cups with risking Premier League survival. This was unnecessarily negative at a time when we should be beyond worrying about Premier League status and was obviously bound to aggravate fans desperate to see Everton winning silverware again.
PRESTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, acknowledges the fans before the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Preston North End and Everton at Deepdale on August 26, 2026 in Preston, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
David Moyes acknowledges the fans before the Carabao Cup match between Preston North End and Everton at Deepdale(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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But he’s done his talking with a very strong team selection, maintaining most of the XI that won in the Premier League. As long as this is repeated into our next tie against Wolves (unlike against the same opposition in the same round last year), then we could really get somewhere in this competition.
Conspicuous by his absence on the pitch was Jake O’Brien, subject of transfer speculation. For two seasons he’s done a very solid job at right-back, and when called upon to play his natural centre-half position, he has looked excellent. Given Jarrad Branthwaite’s dodgy injury record, a Jake O’Brien sale would be, for me, a monumentally shortsighted decision.
Meanwhile, all the transfer talk still centres on the possibility of Jack Grealish’s return to Everton. With Iliman Ndiaye, Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George, and Tyler Dibling all in the squad, we aren’t in as desperate a position as last summer, but if the deal is right, then clearly Jack Grealish would elevate the level of this team.
All in all, it was a lovely Saturday 3pm Premier League win with two goals and a clean sheet to start the season and a delightful four-goal triumph with over five thousand of us travelling Toffees at Preston in midweek. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling on the South Coast.
Paul McParlan
After the dismal end to the last campaign, Everton needed a positive start to this new season, and so far, it has gone well.
Two wins, six goals and two clean sheets with the added bonus of progress in the League Cup.
Crystal Palace were the ideal opponents for our opening league fixture last Saturday, a team that had not won on their last 12 visits here.
After an early wobble, we quickly settled into our game and goals from Kiernan Dewsbury Hall and Thierno Barry ensured a comfortable 2-0 victory, and it could have been more.
Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong delivered an accomplished performance in midfield, and Tyrique George has injected a much-needed element of pace into the attacks.
Iliman Ndiaye showed that keeping him at the club during this transfer window could be our best piece of business. Having Jarrad Branthwaite back in the heart of our defence makes such a difference.
Last Saturday afternoon, in the summer sunshine, the HDS was at its best. It was brilliant to see the fan plaza so busy, with everyone taking in the pre-match atmosphere as groups of families and friends expectantly looked ahead to the game.
All those Monday nights starting in the bleak winter gloom had almost made me forget how vibrant and uplifting the plaza can be.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Iliman Ndiaye of Everton reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and LOSC Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Iliman Ndiaye is being linked with a move to Manchester City(Image: Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
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A word of praise for the 1878s for another stunning flag display and who doesn’t love the banner that says, ‘On the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.’
Wednesday night at Preston North End had the potential to be a banana skin, which was why Sky chose it, desperately hoping for an upset.
However, with over 5,000 travelling Blues there, making up a third of the crowd, that was never going to happen. The songs, the atmosphere, the celebrations were something to savour.
Thierno Barry was outstanding, scoring a hat trick and providing an assist for Brennan Johnson. After struggling at times during the last campaign, I always believed that Barry would learn from that and be better this time around. His touch, movement and passing all seemed to have improved and this could be a breakthrough season for him. He is still only 23.
I was so pleased that David Moyes chose to field a strong team; realistically, this competition represents our best chance of winning a trophy, so we have to go for it.
There are still a few days of the transfer window left, and Everton could yet surprise us by signing a right back! The return of Jack Grealish would be a boost, but we have shown that we can progress without him. If he does return, does Tyler Dibling have a future here?
Bournemouth away on Saturday is never an easy place to visit, but if we can get something there, it would be another indication that we may be heading in the right direction. So far, so good!