HULL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: David Moyes, Manager of Everton reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Hull, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes reacts during his side's 2-2 Premier League draw at Hull City (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Incredibly, Everton remain unbeaten eight matches into this season, but in a game that was played against the backdrop of The Friedkin Group putting the club up for sale, we saw at Hull City exactly why loyal but long-suffering Blues supporters felt let down by their owners in the transfer market this summer.
Little more than 48 hours before their side went to the MKM Stadium, Evertonians, plus the manager, players and club staff, were all awoken to news that less than 22 months after they had completed their takeover from Farhad Moshiri, the Blues’ absentee landlords from Texas were prepared to call time on their Merseyside investment.
The timing, at the end of an extended three-week international break, might be deemed to be an unwelcome distraction, but, as David Moyes remarked, in a bullish, but considered pre-match press conference that showed why he’s exactly the right man to lead in such circumstances, long-term the club deserves a set of owners that share the passion of both himself and the fans.
Other than the prospect of selling up, predictably, the other main topic of conversation was the Manchester City guilty verdict. Given that Everton were twice handed points deductions for single PRR breaches, Moyes remarked how he hoped it wasn’t just them who get picked on because he feels they get picked on by referees, and right on cue, there was more controversy here.
Another game, another way for Brennan Johnson to be interpreted offside, in what we are told was a subjective decision. Against Ipswich Town last time out, Christian Walton was never going to get to Thierno Barry’s header and here, Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, who otherwise looked solid enough, was spared his blushes after making a mess of coming for Jarrad Branthwaite’s cross.
The upshot was that Johnson, who struck 18 times for Tottenham Hotspur as recently as 2024/25 but failed to find the net in 26 outings for previous club Crystal Palace, was denied a first Premier League goal for Everton. We keep getting told that the officials are getting these calls right and should be applauded but it seems curious that the Blues have somehow become the test case to educate us all about all the various interpretations of the contemporary laws of the game on an almost weekly basis.
HULL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Brennan Johnson of Everton reacts after his goal was disallowed for a foul after a VAR check during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Brennan Johnson reacts after his goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check during the Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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As already stated, the cross that started the move for the disallowed effort came from Branthwaite, who, with Vitalii Mykolenko, Everton’s only natural option at left-back, unavailable for the first time this season, was the fall guy to become the square peg in a round hole on this occasion. Having undergone rehabilitation treatment at the MYOS clinic in Munich over the summer, the 24-year-old’s form this term in the heart of defence, earned a first England call for over two years.
Yet, at a time that the rides of the annual Hull Fair are pitched up in the field next to the Tigers’ home, watching a player this correspondent has dubbed ‘The Carlisle Kaiser’, who was restricted to just 10 outings last season due to recurring hamstring issues, zip up and down the wing was the football equivalent of a rollercoaster ride.
While observers’ hearts were often in their mouths, it proved a real mixed bag for Branthwaite, too. While he’s a good enough footballer to get by at left-back, many would argue it would have been more prudent to keep the team’s most talented player in his preferred role and moved James Garner into the position, especially given that central midfield is one area in this otherwise depleted squad that still looks well-stocked.
Branthwaite, who got up the flank gamely all afternoon, even if he appeared to be moving gingerly at times, had already received ironic cheers from the home fans when attempting an audacious backheel that rolled into touch just moments before Hull went ahead. Things got worse for him though as home centre-forward Oli McBurnie nutmegged him before planting a hopeful diagonal pass towards the Everton area that should have been meat and drink for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Unlike Branthwaite, we can at least consider the deadline day recruit as a natural full-back these days, but his attempted clearance just went straight to Sorba Thomas who fed Joe Gelhardt, the Netherton-born forward, to fire the home side in front.
Understandably, an encouragingly, the Blues seemed stung into life by the double blunder and just seven minutes later, Maitland-Niles made amends somewhat as he picked out the visitors’ smallest player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to head them level.
HULL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scores his side's equalising goal to make the score 1-1 despite the attentions of Hull City's Konstantinos Tzolakis and Nobel Mendy during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Everton at MKM Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Hull, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall heads Everton level at Hull City(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The former Chelsea man, whose performance was a rare plus point on a day that Moyes admitted too many of his side were below par, then turned provider as he showed terrific anticipation to intercept Thomas’ attempted cross-field pass to Semi Ajayi and pick out Barry – who had earlier almost tripped over a gilt-edged chance fashioned by Branthwaite – to calmly put Everton ahead.
That should have been the cue for a 13th Premier League away win since Moyes returned, but first since Newcastle United on February 28, yet there was another sting in the tail as the Blues switched off again at the back and having got a hand on the shot, Jordan Pickford will have been left disappointed to be beaten by substitute Mohamed Belloumi’s effort. But the defending from Maitland-Niles, Garner and Branthwaite will also be questioned.
Such are the ups and downs of being an Evertonian as those of us who have watched the team up and down the country for many years all know. It’s a shame that Dan Friedkin has never experienced such emotions though.
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