Ahead of Everton's return to Premier League action against Hull City this weekend, our jury have returned to have their say on the international break
David Moyes
David Moyes(Image: (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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Everton finally return to Premier League action when they take on Hull City at the MKM Stadium. The Blues haven’t played a competitive game since they beat Ipswich Town on Saturday, September 19.
However, David Moyes’ side head to Hull still unbeaten so far this season and sit seventh in the Premier League table. Meanwhile, Sergej Jakirovic’s side are just one place behind the Blues after an impressive start to life in the top-flight.
And ahead of Sunday’s game, our Everton jury have returned to have their say.
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Paul McParlan
These three weeks without an Everton game have been far too long. I have tried to take an interest in the latest Nations League extravaganza, but it has been hard work. In reality, these games arrived far too close to the end of the World Cup.
Since the 25/26 campaign ended, there have been close to ten weeks of international football and a mere five weeks of club competition. Maybe this arrangement needs looking at again?
Fortunately, it seems that none of our players picked up a serious injury while away, and David Moyes may have a fully fit squad to choose from. Who knows, we might even see Christian Norgaard at some stage?
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We now have a demanding run of fixtures, which could have a massive influence on our season. There are five Premier League games and a crucial Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United coming up before the next international break, which thankfully will be the last one until March. First up on Sunday is a visit to Hull City, who have made an impressive return so far, defeating Manchester United and drawing with Chelsea. They have two ex-Everton players, Kieran Dowell and Tim Iroegbunam, in their squad as well.
Tim Iroegbunam with Everton manager David Moyes
Tim Iroegbunam with David Moyes(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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Playing away at a newly promoted side early in the season can be a challenge. Hull are unbeaten at home and will be full of confidence. Everton will need to silence the home support, take control of the game, and then try to go for the win. Since our 3-2 victory at Newcastle United on 28 February, we have not won any of our subsequent seven away fixtures. If we are to challenge for the European places, this needs to end on Sunday.
We were in an excellent run of form before the recent break, unbeaten in the league and through to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. Despite the debacle of transfer deadline day, the team seems to be heading in the right direction.
We may have a smaller squad than last time, and the loss of Iliman Ndiaye was a blow, but we have added pace to the team, which we sadly lacked at times last season, and we have Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who can play full back as well as scoring spectacular goals!
Will David Moyes make changes for Sunday? I doubt it, but Tyrique George and Charly Alcaraz must be pushing for a place in the starting eleven, and will Hayden Hackney start the game? We have the players to unlock the Hull defence; the manager just needs to use them.
It has been far too long since we last saw Everton in action. We have to ensure that we don’t end up getting ‘mauled by the Tigers’. Another three points on the road would show that we have tamed our opponents and are heading in the right direction.
Where do you think Everton will finish this season?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on as he inspects the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
European placesTop 1010th-15th
James Kellett
The past year has been one of Jarrad Branthwaite’s toughest periods in his career. After establishing himself as one of Everton’s most pivotal players, the 2025-26 campaign stunted the defender’s momentum as he struggled to get significant game time due to hamstring issues.
But he has started this season ideally, having played the full 90 minutes in each of the Toffees’ first five league matches. Now Branthwaite appears to be back to full fitness, and Thomas Tuchel recalled him to the England national team, where he claimed two more caps following brief cameos against Spain and Czechia.
His appearance in England’s 3-2 defeat against the Spanish was the 24-year-old's first for his nation since a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024, meaning this was also his first game under Tuchel.
In the four games that the Three Lions competed in during the recent international break, the German used three different combinations of a back two, with Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah and Jarrell Quansah all managing at least one start.
James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite coming on for England against the Czech Republic at Wembley
James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite coming on for England against the Czech Republic at Wembley(Image: (Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
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Considering all of these central defenders featured in England’s last FIFA World Cup campaign, Branthwaite faces a challenge to prove that he belongs in the national side. However, being a naturally left-footed player already gives one of Everton’s star men an advantage.
After being knocked out by Argentina in July, Tuchel noted that English teams appear to struggle in controlling the tempo of games, something that will need to improve if they want to win a major tournament.
Out of all the centre backs that Tuchel selected in his most recent squad, Branthwaite was the only natural left-footed defender, arguably making him the most comfortable with the ball at his feet, when positioned on the left side of a back two. This makes the man from Carlisle an attractive option not just in the defence but also as an attacking outlet, notably through his ability to spray balls down the left flank quicker than a right-footed centre half.
Branthwaite obviously has much more to prove, and the sheer fact that he has a strong left foot will not guarantee his spot in the England side, but he has all the tools at his disposal to highlight why he deserves to be a regular starter for his country. His newfound fitness, as well as confidence in possession, means that he is making inroads into Tuchel’s team, and it may not be long until he propels himself into the Three Lions’ starting XI.
Points deduction
Mark McParlan
The Ipswich Town game already feels like millions of years ago - this extended international break has been painful. The minor only solace has been seeing Jordan Pickford’s two clean sheets for England, taking his overall tally for club and country to seven in nine matches, and seeing all three Everton players finish the game against the Czech Republic.
With the possible exception of Vitalii Mykolenko, we appear to have avoided any international injuries, which is very important given our small squad. It does raise the obvious question, though, of who fills in at left-back and should be judged unfit to start.
But we’re past this international break; let’s look ahead. Three points at Hull, avoiding any kind of ‘mauling’, would put us in a very commanding position indeed. Yes, they’ve made an unexpectedly very strong start but have now suffered their first defeat, so we should be winning. Particularly so, given the tougher fixtures following: Chelsea, then Newcastle twice.
I’m just desperate to see the unbeaten or winning run continue for as long as possible and to remove ourselves as a club and fanbase as far as possible from the (justifiable) panic and anger of deadline day until it presumably resumes again in January.
It’s also notable that the summer transfer window debacle has seemingly put David Moyes in a much stronger, more assured position, with the fans placing less personal pressure on him. I hope we continue to see the fruits of that.
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