Everton return to Premier League action with a trip to Hull City on Sunday afternoon
Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Vitaliy Mykolenko of Everton (Photo by Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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After the new-look, and very long international break, Everton are finally back in action on Sunday when they go to Hull City in the Premier League.
And while most of the attention continues to be on off-field matters when it comes to the Blues, both in terms of transfers and now potential takeovers, the clash with the Tigers offers the perfect chance to maintain an impressive and unbeaten start to the season for the Blues.
But who should David Moyes pick in his side for the trip to the KC Stadium? Our Blues writers have picked their XIs for the Sunday afternoon contest.
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David Moyes says that Vitalii Mykolenko has got a chance to play in Everton’s game at Hull City on Sunday so if that’s the case, I’d stick with the Ukraine international who has featured in every minute so far this term at left-back.
If the 27-year-old wasn’t to make it, there are no like-for-like alternatives, but I’d prefer James Garner to move into the role rather than have Jarrad Branthwaite, testing those hamstrings that limited him to just 10 outings last season by bombing up and down the wing.
Presuming Garner sticks in the engine room, I’d pair him alongside Harrison Armstrong who has done terrifically well in Christian Norgaard’s absence as the manager tells us that despite the former Denmark international’s return to fitness and 45-minute outing in a 3-3 draw against Blackburn Rovers behind closed doors nine days ago, he’s still got a little while longer to go until he’s up to speed.
I would make a change on the right flank though as I believe Tyrique George deserves a start ahead of Brennan Johnson. Jack Grealish’s second coming ensures that he’s now the main man on the left flank again, but the former Chelsea starlet showed with his goal against Manchester United that he can be a force to be reckoned with on the opposite side.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Tyrique George of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Tyrique George will be pushing for a start for Everton today(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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Connor O'Neill
The team selection for this afternoon’s game all comes down to whether Vitalii Mykolenko is fit enough to start.
If he isn’t, then James Garner will have to move to left-back, with Hayden Hackney taking his place in the middle of midfield.
However, if Mykolenko is fit enough to start, then I’d be unchanged from the team that beat Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out.
Although, I must say that is incredibly harsh on both Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George, who have both impressed so far this season.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Paul Wheelock
It got lost among the flurry of questions and answers about The Friedkin Group’s decision to put Everton up for sale, but David Moyes did give some positive injury news away at Friday’s press conference.
While not saying for certain he will be fit, the Blues boss indicated that Vitalii Mykolenko has every chance of featuring against Hull City today. That’s important as because not only is the Ukrainian in excellent form, it means Moyes would not have to rejig his side too much. Plus, it seems that while Christian Norgaard is now over his injury, he doesn’t seem quite ready to go straight into the team.
If Mykolenko is ruled out, my personal preference would be for James Garner to drop to right-back, with Norgaard taking his position in midfield, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles shifting to left-back But, as I say, that feels like too much tinkering to a team that are unbeaten in their first seven matches of the season.
So, if Mykolenko makes it, I’d be unchanged, although that is slightly harsh on Tyler Dibling, who appears a different player this season.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
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