Tyrique George and Everton players
Tyrique George and Everton players
Everton are back after a three-week international break filled with determination to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League.
After all, David Moyes knows that the Hill Dickinson needs a lift following the unwelcome news that owners the Friedkin Group have put the club up for sale after less than two years in charge.
david-moyes-everton
It's frustrating, but this Toffees team have become rather skilled at dealing with adversity, and there is a sense that they can strike and defeat newly-promoted Hull City on the road this Sunday.
How Everton can hurt Hull
Hull have been the early surprise package in the Premier League this season, unbeaten across four opening fixtures before losing an evenly-contested game against Newcastle United at St. James' Park.
At home, they have defeated Manchester United and drawn against Aston Villa, keeping clean sheets on both counts. Everton will need to produce more incisive attacking football than has been on display for much of the campaign, with only six goals scored from five games.
Thierno Barry for Everton
Thierno Barry for Everton
Hull have only conceded 5.73 xG in the Premier League this season. That put them sixth in the standings for that chart before the start of matchweek six.
Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.
Barry will need to be sharper in front of goal, that's for sure. The French striker bagged the winner last time out against Ipswich Town, but he has only scored twice in the Premier League this term - and he has missed six big chances besides.
However, Barry will need those around him to be on form in the final third too. Expect Jack Grealish to step up and take centre-stage from a playmaking standpoint; Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will also be looking to click into gear after a somewhat wasteful start to the year from a shooting perspective.
Jack Grealish for Everton
Jack Grealish for Everton
Right wing does pose a problem for Moyes. Brennan Johnson has not been at the races so far on Merseyside, but there may be an exciting replacement waiting in the wings.
Everton star must start in new role
What frustration that Everton sold Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City for £65m in August. How annoying that the Friedkin Group didn't replace him.
iliman-ndiaye-man-city
Johnson arrived as a like-for-like swap with Dwight McNeil, and while Tyler Dibling has the potential to become a superstar, it is £24m summer signing Tyrique George who should earn the nod on the right against the Tigers.
As Grealish returns to form and full fitness, George will find opportunities on the left side in shorter supply. However, the 20-year-old played a number of matches out on the right for Chelsea, even stepping in at centre-forward when called upon.
His versatility and killer instinct in front of goal will serve as one of his biggest strengths throughout his career, and Moyes now needs to put it to the test, easing the burden on Barry at the front of the ship and replacing a struggler in Johnson who has offered next to nothing in attack.
||
Premier League Form (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Shots (on target)*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Def. contributions*
Duels won
Johnson has been a far more active defender (perhaps a by-product of Everton's still-not-completely-resolved right-back conundrum). But he has also struggled to get going in attack, and that's becoming a common theme spread across a number of clubs during his Premier League career.
It's also worth remembering that George cut in and fired home from the right during that frantic draw against Man United earlier in the campaign. This boy boasts so much quality, and he could even emerge as the difference-maker against a resilient Hull backline who will be happy to dig in.
Everyone is waiting, with bated breath, for George to sustain the kind of performance which agonised Man United. Teammate Merlin Rohl has already admitted that he said "go easy, please" to the young winger during one Everton training session this summer.
Clearly, those around him know what he's capable of. They know that he has the potential to explode into life as a Premier League sensation.
everton-fans