Everton

After Everton's CEO Angus Kinnear told me exclusively last week that the club's owners called last season "a failure" eyebrows were raised when David Moyes angrily insisted staying up in the Premier League is the more important aim.

The Friedkin Group were left unhappy when the first full season at Hill Dickinson Stadium ended without a trophy and no European qualification. I was told "appropriate pressure" was put on this summer as the American consortium bought Everton Football Club to win but flash forward just seven days and quotes have emerged from the manager that almost feel defeatist with just one game played.

Ahead of tonight's League Cup game at Preston David Moyes was asked how important the cups are to him this season and his answer has left fans irritated.

"Of course we all want to win the cups," he explained. "Yes the cups are hugely important, would it be more important than staying in the Premier League? I'll ask you the question: Is winning a cup more important than staying in the Premier League? What would your answer be?"

The tone of the Toffees boss has left some questioning if he is on the same page as the owners and the CEO. Last season there was frustration at the third round exits in both the League Cup and FA Cup with tactics fiercely criticised. Jordan Pickford was rested for the League Cup which saw supporters angered after seeing Newcastle end their trophy drought in the tournament the season before.

Evertonians deserve a cup run. For too long they have dragged their team over the line time and time again. They were the glue holding an increasingly fractured club together as PSR charges hit, points were deducted, favourite players sold and the club's hierarchy disappeared.

When The Friedkin Group took over at the end of 2024 it signalled much-needed stability and an end to the financial chaos that had become synonymous with the Toffees. They oversaw the move to a new stadium and have assured fans they are winners. The manager talking down the chance to hunt for a trophy for the first time in 31 years isn't the team talk supporters want to hear in the build up to a potential cup run. It now leads to questions around whether Moyes can be the man the owners are able trust to return Everton to a side that can fight it out for silverware and it has heaped even more pressure on tonight's trip to Deepdale.

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Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Grealish is back in the fold at Manchester City... for now.

The 30-year-old is into the final year of his reported £300,000-a-week contract at Etihad Stadium and was discarded by Pep Guardiola in the Spaniard's final season in charge, being allowed to join Everton on a season-long loan deal.

Grealish came on during the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal and played the final eight minutes of City's late comeback win over Bournemouth in Sunday's Premier League opener.

The winger appeared to be in good spirits while sitting on the bench against the Cherries and thanked City fans on social media afterwards for a "nice welcome" on his home return.

Though he has been handed a new lease of life under Guardiola's successor Enzo Maresca, no guarantees are being offered that Grealish will remain a City player come transfer deadline day on Tuesday, 1 September.

Heading into the final week of the transfer window, clubs sources have left all options open for Grealish's future - staying at the club, going out on loan again or leaving permanently.

Maresca has not ruled out a move either, saying after Sunday's game: "He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best.

"Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens. Not only with Jack but also other players."

Grealish looked to be getting back to his best during his loan at Everton, contributing two goals and six assists in 20 appearances before his injury.

City sources say there have been no concrete offers for Grealish so far this summer, with a return to Hill Dickinson Stadium looking the most viable option, should he move away.

Everton are yet to make an approach and try to agree a deal, but he remains of interest to the Toffees.

Leeds United and Crystal Palace have registered an interest in Everton and Ireland defender Jake O'Brien, 25. (Football insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The third-round draw for the 2026-27 Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday, 26 August following the conclusion of Preston North End vs Everton.

Nine Premier League clubs taking part in European football join the 23 first-round winners from across the English Football League.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton and Crystal Palace will enter the competition at this stage, as the top eight Premier League clubs from the 2025-26 season plus Crystal Palace as Conference League winners.

It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports following the conclusion of the third round tie between Preston North End and Everton, kicking off at 20:00 BST.

Unlike the opening two rounds of the competition, the third round draw is not regionalised.

However, before the match at Deepdale there will be a pre-draw determining which of the Champions League and Europa League clubs will play at home or away in round three.

In order to avoid potential scheduling issues, the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs cannot be drawn against each other in round three.

When the draw takes place, the first eight fixtures decided are the ones involving clubs in the Champions League and Europa League. The remainder of the draw will be an open draw as usual.

Due to clashes with opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League seasons, the third round will be played across two different weeks. They are the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September, 2026.

Everton manager David Moyes believes journalists can "half answer their own questions" around the importance of cup competitions.

The 63-year-old will return to familiar territory in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday night (20:00 BST), as the Toffees travel to a ground where he made an impact as both a player and a manager.

Everton reached the third round in both domestic cup competitions last season, with Wolves knocking them out of the Carabao Cup and Sunderland reigning supreme on penalties in the FA Cup.

The Toffees boss responded to general media queries around the significance of cup competitions, stating: "This is a question every journalist asks every manager and, in some ways, I think: 'Are those journalists dead stupid? Do you think none of the managers want to win the cups?'

"If I asked you: 'Would it be more important than staying in the Premier League?' - what would your answer be? Your answer will half answer your own question.

"I can't think of any manager who wouldn't want a good run in a cup competition."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Everton simply must sign a recognised right-back before the window shuts. It has been a glaring problem for more than a year.

It is a weakness recognised by everyone at the club but either a prime target cannot be agreed upon or is out of reach.

Talented midfielder Merlin Rohl took on the job for the opening game against Crystal Palace, while Jake O'Brien and James Garner have also been pressed into service.

Time to finally make a decision and get one in. Maybe David Moyes will also look at adding another striker with questions still hanging over Beto and Thierno Barry.

Chelsea outcast Liam Delap is one name regularly linked with Everton.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

I was at St James' Park on Sunday and when I regained my composure after the beautiful and poignant celebrations of the great Kevin Keegan's life, I quickly understood the devil-may-care approach that Matthias Jaissle's Newcastle United side brought to the party.

Liverpool were champions two years ago. They have spent many hundreds of millions of pounds since, on a squad which still looks threadbare, but on Sunday they were matched by a very young midfield duo delivered at a fraction of the cost.

Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) were stifled by 20-year-old Lewis Miley, who cost nothing, and 18-year-old Sean Steur, who was signed for a measly initial £20m from Ajax. Putting that sort of youth up against world superstars would have been considered foolhardy until very recently, but the new coaches aren't bringing any fear with them into their new roles.

It is not just the newbies either, Everton's engine room under Davie Moyes had Premier League debutant Hayden Hackney (£24m from Middlesbrough) beside 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong, a Toffees academy graduate. They were still trusted to control the midfield and duly dispatched Crystal Palace.

This was always going to be a season of upheaval with all the managerial changes but it might be even more substantial than that. It could be the dawn of a complete shift in outlook.

Arsenal with their quality and experience might still see off the wannabe challengers in the end. Then again, weren't they riding the crest of this wave of organised chaos, utilising set-piece bedlam, as they won the title last season?

The big take: The league is always exciting but hasn't always given us enough tales of the unexpected, this season promises to be different. The newcomers appear to have a lack of fear and a love of chaos.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

The BBC Radio Merseyside sport team takes you behind the scenes of Everton's win over Crystal Palace in a new feature for this season.

Giulia Bould, Ian Kennedy and Phil Munns talk through their views of the game, standout performers, right-back chat and more - including finding out which famous face made an appearance at the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Bould also gives her verdict on whether Iliman Ndiaye will remain at the club this summer and, through some investigating on social media, thinks Jack Grealish could still be thinking about a return to Merseyside.

"I think if Iliman Ndiaye goes, Jack Grealish is the obvious replacement," she said.

"His bio on Instagram still has him down as an Everton player. Whether or not he just has not realised, I don't know. It could be either with Jack, who knows, but that's my thought process. But I'm not convinced Iliman Ndiaye stays."

Hit play below or listen on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Thomas: Hard to have any complaints, we scored two and on another day could have scored more. Solid performances across the board but I'd like to see us recruit a proper right back, then my optimism will be in full swing.

William: A nervous start but our first win which will boost our team and they look like they believe in getting the result in their new home. Onwards and upwards after a great result.

Chris: Things beginning to look ever so slightly positive. When everyone's fit the midfield options are there.

Dusty: A few lucky moments with Palace hitting the woodwork, but overall a solid performance. I have faith in Moyes and feel we can give most teams a game. A good signing or two could really boost an already great start to the season.

Harry: Great to be back and especially getting three points. Palace were unlucky not to go ahead and there were lessons to be learned for our defence! Barry will get a lot of confidence from scoring and Armstrong will get better as the season develops. All we need now is a new manager to inspire them.

Crystal Palace fans

Steve: An inability to put the ball in the back of the net continues. Palace cannot just depend upon one man - Sarr! The midfield has to chip in on a regular basis. Palace should have been two or three up in the first half.

Bob: Welcome to the Premier League Pierre Sage. It will be an uphill struggle right from the start as uncertainty around our squad continues. Sarr could also be leaving us and there's a legal battle going on about Mateta's contract. I really wish that the transfer window closes before the start of the season. As it is now there's even more chance of losing key players. At least there was a little consolation today.

Freddie: The unlucky streak at Everton continues. Another promising start, only to be punished for not taking our chances. It was encouraging to see a glimpse of what life after Glasner could look like under Sage, with some positive, attacking football. Nothing to worry about just yet, we hope!

Will: Played some nice stuff in the first half but I'm not surprised at the result in the end. With Hull and Ipswich already looking lively, and Sarr looking for a move, I have a feeling we're in for a long season.

Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says three points and a clean sheet against Crystal Palace "was the perfect" way to open the new season.

Goals from Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry either side of half-time were enough to earn the Blues their earliest victory in a new campaign since Rafael Benitez guided them to a 3-1 win over Southampton in August 2021.

Hit play above to hear Dewsbury-Hall speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When Thierno Barry joined Everton last summer, he arrived at a club building for a brighter future.

In the years before his arrival, the Toffees had gone through a succession of managers, all of whom had faced relegation battles.

Everton had also been hit with a points deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

All of those factors meant that when David Moyes and his recruitment staff drew up plans to sign a new striker, they knew they would not have the financial muscle or pulling power to attract someone who was the finished article.

It meant that when Barry arrived on Merseyside, fresh from an 11-goal campaign in La Liga, there was an acceptance his development would take time.

But by the midway point of the season, that patience was growing thin among some supporters, with the Frenchman having scored only once in 18 Premier League appearances.

In January, however, Barry's season burst into life and, by his standards, he produced an impressive return in his debut campaign, finishing with eight goals in 38 Premier League appearances.

It was a return enhanced by the fact half of the forward's goals came after Everton's creator-in-chief, Jack Grealish, suffered a season-ending injury in January.

Barry's form peaked at the business end of the season, while some of his team-mates saw theirs dip as they pushed to help Everton secure a European place.

At the end of the campaign, Barry's eight-goal tally came from an xG of 8.1 and he recorded a shot-conversion rate of 21.1% - just shy of Erling Haaland's 21.4%.

Sarah Mulkerrins
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There was a run last season where playing at home was tough, there was also the winless run of seven that left Everton out of the European spots at the end of the season and there was also a run of four opening day defeats in the last four years.

However, walking out with the buoyant home fans after this opening win against Crystal Palace, there was only excitement in the sunshine around Bramley Dock. New season positivity everywhere. Kiernan Dewsbury Hall had told me before the game how important a strong start was.

Once Everton weathered the early Palace threat, he was the man to get the fans off their feet in jubilation with a superb goal late in the first half. There was a little niggle to the game and some frustrations in the stands, but that melted away after the opener. The fans were nearly horizontal in relaxation after their second.

That came from Thierno Barry, who came in for criticism at his conversion rate last season. He's done well in pre-season and so the fans hope he'll be more adjusted to the Premier League this campaign. An opening day goal will certainly help. David Moyes wants more signings before the window closes, it's a long season and the challenges will be many.

But for the fans, alongside Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was in attendance, there was nothing but smiles.

Everton manager David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "There were bits of the first half we were good, but missed the chances on transition to score. We could have easily been a couple goals down. The goalkeeper made a worldie save. It could have gone the other way.

"Once we got the first goal it settled us, and the second one made things feel a lot easier. We managed the game well after that, contained Palace."

On the performances of Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George: "Harrison is 19 and he is making his way. If other people were fit he might not be getting so many opportunities, but he is getting them and doing well.

"Tyrique George looked a threat from the start, hopefully he continues to do that, we want more deliveries from his as well."

Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm delighted with the way that went, first half we were a bit open but then we managed to put our chances away.

"We knew they [Palace] wanted to play out, we worked on pressing form the front and managed to get a goal from it."

On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's goal: "He does that in training a lot, that's what he's got, that quality in the final third, great finish from him."

On Everton's aims this season: "Finish as high a possible, in the European spots hopefully, it's a long season and it will be difficult but I think that's the aim."

Listen to more from David Moyes on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Everton have won their opening Premier League game of the season for the first time since August 2021 (3-1 against Southampton), having lost their last four MD1 games without scoring before today.

• Nine of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's 12 Premier League goals have come since he signed for Everton at the start of last season. Indeed, no Toffee's player has netted more goals in the competition in that time (Beto & Thierno Barry also 9 each).

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has taken the best part of 12 months, but Everton are finally starting to feel at home at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

On the eve of the new Premier League season, Blues manager David Moyes likened his side's first season at their new, state-of-the-art home on the banks of the River Mersey, which produced only six wins from 19 Premier League games, to a room in a new house that only had the wallpaper up.

But by the end of this impressive opening-day performance, which didn't come without its frights, Moyes can surely start to feel as though wins are starting to become part of the furniture of Everton's new household.

It was far from an ideal start for Everton, who are still without a natural right-back, but the performances of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, mixed in with a couple of magnificent saves from Jordan Pickford, were enough to help them navigate a difficult first half, in which Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the post for Crystal Palace.

By the time the full-time whistle sounded on Merseyside, there was a feeling of both optimism and excitement about what this season could look like for Moyes' side if they are able to add one or two players to their squad before the window closes.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.