Everton have extended their unbeaten run at the start of the 2026/27 campaign to eight games after securing a 2-2 draw with newly promoted Hull City this afternoon.
David Moyes’ men certainly weren’t at their best for the meeting at the KCOM Stadium, but their ability to take home a point will no doubt encourage the manager.
Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Theirno Barry secured a point for the Toffees, who could have claimed victory had they kept out Mohammed Belloumi’s late strike.
Such a result may have papered over some of the cracks within the first-team squad, with numerous players struggling to deliver the goods during the clash in Yorkshire.
How Everton failed to deliver against Hull
Ahead of this afternoon’s clash against Hull, Everton boss Moyes decided to hand centre-back Michael Keane a rare start alongside captain James Tarkowski.
The Englishman started his first game in nearly a month, but was unable to justify the bold selection call made to install him back into the Toffees’ starting eleven.
The 33-year-old failed to make any interceptions, whilst coming out second best in both of the two tackle attempts he made against Sergej Jakirovic’s men.
However, he wasn’t the only member of the backline who failed to deliver against the Tigers, with right-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles also struggling to provide a positive display.
The former Arsenal man did manage to get the assist for Dewsbury-Hall’s effort, but it was his performance out of possession which saw him struggle to deliver.
The 29-year-old created an error that led to the hosts finding the back of the net, subsequently costing Moyes’ men two points in their pursuit of victory.
He also only managed to come out on top of 50% of the total duels he entered, whilst also being dribbled past by the opposition forwards on two separate occasions.
Why 4/10 Everton man needs to be dropped after Hull
After yet another draw in the Premier League, Moyes will have some work to do on the training ground if he is to make the 2026/27 campaign one to remember.
His side have now drawn four of their first six Premier League games this campaign and have been fortune to not be on the wrong side of some of those results.
However, the Scotsman will also come into question for some of his selections in the aforementioned games, which has also cost his side in various key moments.
The continued faith shown in Brennan Johnson is now starting to baffle some supporters, with the manager desperately needing to drop him from his starting eleven.
The Welsh international, who arrived from Crystal Palace this summer, has struggled to make an immediate impact on Merseyside – but has still started each of the last four league games.
His showing against Hull earlier this afternoon was further evidence of his struggles, with the manager now needing to take action and brutally remove him from his side.
Johnson featured for 66 minutes of the stalemate in Yorkshire, but could only register a single shot, but it was off target and not troubling the opposition’s shot-stopper.
He could only create one chance during his time on the pitch, whilst being unable to complete any of his attempted dribbles – highlighting his struggles within the final third.
|
Brennan Johnson – stats against Hull |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Minutes played |
66 |
|
Touches |
27 |
|
Pass accuracy |
77% |
|
Chances created |
1 |
|
Shots on target |
0 |
|
Dribbles completed |
0 |
|
Cross success |
33% |
|
Dribbled past |
2x |
|
Duels lost |
100% |
Only 33% of the crosses he attempted into the box found a teammate, with his defensive work also being brought into question after being dribbled past twice.
The Welsh star also lost 100% of the duels he entered against the Tigers, whilst registering fewer touches than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – who registered 45 to his 27.
After such a performance, the attacker was handed a measly 4/10 match rating, with only full-back Maitland-Niles registering a lower score during the draw.
Moyes must now be brutal with the former Nottingham Forest man and ensure he’s no longer a regular starter within his starting eleven next weekend.
He’s showcased that he’s no longer at the level needed to be a success in the Premier League, with his continued inclusion no doubt costing the club at present.
