johnson-everton
Ahead of the start of the 2026/27 campaign, not many Everton supporters would have predicted they would remain unbeaten after their first eight games across all competitions.
However, David Moyes’ men find themselves in exactly that position, despite many fans feeling as though the side have been far from impressive in recent games.
Sunday’s outing against Hull City was the latest game in the unbeaten run, but how did the Toffees fare against a side who are facing their first season back in the top-flight?
Everton manager David Moyes before the match
Everton manager David Moyes before the match
How Everton's clash with Hull played out
Despite many Everton fans anticipating a third league win of the campaign, Moyes’ side were staring down the barrel of their first defeat for large spells.
Opposition winger Joe Gelhardt opened the scoring for the hosts, and left the Toffees scrambling for a response despite having a goal chalked off in the first half.
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However, Moyes’ men would respond within just seven minutes, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netting his second goal of the campaign to restore parity in the 55th minute.
Theirno Barry managed to also get himself on the scoresheet during the encounter, with his superb strike putting the Blues ahead with a little over 20 minutes remaining.
Mohamed Belloumi’s strike, which should have been saved by Jordan Pickford, once again drew the hosts level with only 15 minutes remaining at the KCOM Stadium.
Everton did register more shots on target and created more big chances, but were ultimately unable to capitalise on the opportunities that fell their way in front of goal.
How Johnson failed to deliver for Everton vs Hull
For the fourth league game in a row, winger Brennan Johnson was handed a start by Moyes to try and provide the goods against newly-promoted side Hull.
Such a decision inevitably proved to be the wrong one by the manager, as the Welsh international once again demonstrated that the decision to sign him this summer was the wrong one.
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The 25-year-old was largely ineffective within the final third, subsequently failing to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst completing just a single cross into the box.
He was caught offside on two separate occasions, with the latter of the two costing the Toffees as his strike would eventually be ruled out after an on-field review.
hull-v-everton-ratings-3000x3000 (1)
hull-v-everton-ratings-3000x3000 (1)
The hosts were easily able to deal with the threat posed by the former Nottingham Forest man, as he lost 100% of the ground duels he contested on Sunday afternoon.
Why one Everton star was worse than Johnson vs Hull
After such a performance, Everton manager Moyes will no doubt have learned a whole lot about his senior ranks and who simply can’t be trusted to provide the goods.
Johnson is a player who no doubt falls into such a category after his recent showing, but he certainly wasn’t alone in failing to deliver the goods for the Toffees.
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Right-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles was another who demonstrated his inability to reach the level required for success in the Premier League this campaign.
The 29-year-old, who joined from Lyon this summer, has been tasked with filling the void in the backline - a position which has been a problem for the Toffees in recent times.
However, his showing yesterday afternoon is further evidence that the issues are still ongoing in such a department, as the Englishman struggled at both ends of the pitch.
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The former Arsenal man featured for 78 minutes of the stalemate, but like Johnson, failed to complete any of his dribbles, whilst also being unable to pick out a teammate with any of his crosses.
His struggles in possession were further highlighted by his tally of 11 times possession lost, which resulted in him giving the ball back to the opposition every four touches he registered.
Even without the ball, Maitland-Niles was just as ineffective, subsequently winning just 50% of the duels he contested and coming out second best in all of his tackles.
To top off his showing, the Englishman made an error which ultimately led to a goal, which no doubt cost the Toffees securing all three points in Yorkshire.
After such a dismal display, the defender was handed a measly 3/10 match rating - with such a rating the lowest of any player who started the game for Moyes’ men.
Moyes must now be left with no choice but to axe the summer addition from his starting eleven, which highlights the need for another right- back in future windows.
He and Johnson are two players who ultimately aren’t at the level needed for success, and brutal decisions need to be made if the club are to progress.