Latest [60′]
Everton take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 3 pm GMT)
Moyes goes for 4 centre-backs, assuming the returning Michael Keane is not paired up as a striker with Thierno Barry. Neither Vitalii Mykolenko nor Adam Aznou are included in today’s squad.
Harrison Armstrong retains his place, having proven to Moyes, “he does not look out of place in the Premier League…” but will this be his last game for Everton before returning to Preston?
First Half
The home side got the game underway, the centre-backs doing a bit of good early covering. They almost scored in the next attack, a ricochet going just wide, out for a corner.
The corner was long but Mitoma clipped a beautiful cross right back into the mixer, Pickford grasping Welbeck’s header before Van Hecke rudely barged him and drew the ire of James Tarkowski.
Barry failed to control a ball played up to him, scooting away for a goal-kick and Brighton began to rebuild but ran offside. Everton worked forward with a lot of passes… and then worked it back to Pickford for a hoof, Armstrong wrongly called for a foul on Mitoma.
Ndiaye skipped into a packed Brighton area but his cross was easily neutralised. A Brighton attack saw Rutter volley a difficult cross first time, sliced wide. A decent Brighton move down the middle almost paid off with Van Hecke driving forward.
A great cross in was well headed behind off Rutter’s head by Branthwaite, at the expense of a corner that Welbeck thankfully headed wide. xG = 0.74? O’Brien then did well to stall Mitoma down the Brighton left.
Another very threatening Brighton move saw Mitoma fire across goal when it looked easier to score… xG = 0.87!!! Brighton: 7 attempts off 72% possession inthe first 20 minutes.
A long ball down the Everton right was brilliantly kept in by O’Brien, crossed first time to Ndiaye but then worked all the way back. But Everton built a quicker attack and Ndiaye should have done better but Kadioglu was all over him.
Pickford hoofed another bomb upfield, Ndiaye forcing Van Hecke to head it out for a throw… but again they went back to Pickford. Ndiaye was pegged back by Van Hecke. Everton were having some better possession now but not getting very far forward, Barry heading in back for Brighton to pick up.
Dewsbury-Hall did well to set Ndiaye off and running but he was thwarted again. Eventually, Garner curled a ball forward for Barry but it was far too close to Verbruggen. After 30 minutes, still no attempts on goal from Everton.
A terrible giveaway from Ndiaye saw Rtter scamper forward and win a corner off Branthwaite. This onne looped to the back post where Welbeck again headed it behind. Some spicey exchanges on the Everton 18-yard line ended when Garner was fouled.
Gana rescued a deep forward ball and put in a great cross that was just too high for Barry. Ndiaye had to come back and support the defence to block Van Hecke.
Armstrong showed superb skill and timing to slide-tackle Mitoma perfectly at full pace. Remarkable!
Everton got a bit stretched when Brighton turned the ball over and again it was up to the centre-back to provide the big black wall. Another very dangerous Brighton attack and Branthwaite’s superb intervention denied Welbeck a glorious chance, and another corner, Pickford blocked and fouled.
Everton were forward quickly and Garner swung a quick ball to the far post where Barry might have leapt for it but went with his foot instead. He just seems to lack critical desire and intensity to throw himself at the ball.
A long throw from O’Brien bounced through harmlessly to Verbruggen… does that count as a shot on target? xG = 0.02 — no, the real xG for the entire fist half was 0.00 for Everton, 1.07 for Brighton.
The four centre-backs had done their various tasks admirably in the first half to keep the score level and Everton still in for a point.
Second Half
The All-Blacks resumed, back to Pickford, hoofed forward so far it evaded Barry for a Brighton goal-kick. Armstrong showing a bit of fight to win the ball up high, but fouling his man.
Numerous Pickford hoofs were returned without Everton getting beyond the half-way line. Finally a drive down the left got beyond O’Brien but not Tarkowski.
Gross looked to have a chance on a long Brighton ball but Garner was across him smartly to move the ball away. Everton drove down the middle, Dewsbury-Hall firing inches past the post. xG = 0.35
Gross cut through Armstrong, yellow card. Dewsbury-Hall wasted the dangerous free-kick wide right, impossible for Branthwaite to reach.
Everton were almost playing front-foot at this point, such was the attacking pressure, a lovely cross in from O’Brien glanced on by Branthwaite, who then slid dangerously under Ayari and he too saw yellow… looked a lot worse than it was, but mainly for the landing.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Rutter (60′ Minteh), Baleba, Welbeck, Mitoma, Kadioglu, Ayari, De Cuyper, Gross [Y:53′].
Subs: Steele, Julio, Gruda, Milner, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Veltman, Howell.
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite, Gana, Garner, Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry.
Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Beto, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Röhl, Iroegbunam.
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Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:48:07
I’d be more worried with O’Brien at right-back than Patterson.
Mitoma will tear O’Brien a new one.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:51:35
Moyes would play 10 CBs if he could
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:51:38
Wow!
Never saw that coming: Giants at the back…
Branthwaite left back!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:54:18
I share Mick’s trepidation @1, what his logic, or lack of, is, I don’t know.
At least one positive is McNeil being benched.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:54:38
Yay! Thanks. Michael.
Come on, Harrison, claim a place here!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:56:25
wow, one winger and no fullbacks. That is a drainpipe of a selection.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:57:28
let’s hope Brighton haven’t got any decent wingers…
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:57:55
So we’re playing 4 centrebacks, and 2 out of position, Mykolenko must be injured. I would have played McNeill at left back, with Branthwaite in the middle, he made a huge difference against Leeds, will miss his pace in the centre.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:58:01
Interesting lineup. Aznou not even on the bench, I assume he’s gone off on loan then
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:58:14
Yeesh. Mitoma will be licking his lips.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:58:24
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Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:59:27
I don’t usually go negative before a game but I can see the carnage now if these four lumbering giants of Premier League defending contrive to let in a goal from a corner this afternoon!!
Please say it ain’t gonna happen!!!!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
13:59:52
Will this be yet another example of being held back by team selection or is it just a case of Moyes needing to cover for are inadequate full backs by playing only centre-backs across the back line???
Playing for a point here, are we?
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:02:16
Moyes sending a message to TFG? “Where are my f**king full backs!”
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:04:17
I never wanted the dour dithering dolt back and I hope this is his parting shot he won NOWT first time and he is cracking up second time.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:06:28
Brighton have fast tricky wingers…
Not sure Id play two centre backs against them. Especially one just returning from long lay off. Easing him back… ?
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:07:12
the plan seems to be smash and grab. the one thing we must not do is concede. Cos then all bets are off. there’s no way that team is carrying the fight to anyone.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:07:43
Ajay, he’s left one on the bench who’s done as well.as anyone over the last few weeks, I can see Pickford now screaming for them to get the fuck outta 6 yard box, Keane should be sitting on the bench after the sending off, Patterson has done ok but typically becomes the fall guy so Moyes can get his faves back in
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:08:43
He should be sacked just for playing a Rolls Royce of a CB at bloody left back. See his mate Keane is in too. This had better work-Moyes. We are safe,so play the younger up coming players!! Just hired to get to 40 points I see. Negative sod isn’t he?
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:09:31
Iam having flashbacks from the Walter Smith days.
Mykolenko is either injured or being sold.
This could be a master stroke from Moyes. Talk about inviting pressure.
As much as I think Patterson is average he deserved to stay in the team, he has done nothing wrong to get dropped.
Moyes had an opportunity today to play 5 at the back with 2 wingbacks and chose to go ultra defensive. We all knew Jake was going to play right back today.
Let’s see how this game pans out.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:10:07
No Aznou anywhere, is he injured? Is Patterson that bad ?
I was fancying us to get something out of the game, but I don’t like that line-up too much.
Theres too many coming back from injuries and playing out of position for my liking.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:10:53
Mykolenko unavailable. Doesnt fancy Aznou
Not the greatest shock in the world
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:13:14
Four centre backs in the same starting XI.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:13:15
Moyes was one of the first in the league to really introduce the attacking fullbacks in Baines and Coleman so to see that starting defence today suggests to me he’s extremely pissed with his options or something else.
We never got told anything about Mykolenko being injured, maybe he’s ill who knows, maybe he’s been flogged but I doubt it.
Patterson clearly will never be fancied by any Everton manager.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:14:09
Patterson unlucky to be dropped, but Moyes definitely picking his favourites, with Keane back.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:15:16
Lots of comments on here about the negativity of our manager – have a look in the mirror will you? The negativity on here in advance of a ball being kicked is off the scale! Get behind the team and stop whingeing – you never know!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:15:41
I’m sure we could have found more centre halves if we looked harder. Inspiring, not.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:18:50
They do keep suprising us though!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:19:04
now I’ve gotten over the shock, we still have a midfield of Gana Garner KDH Armstrong and Ndiaye, so you’d fancy us to provide some threat in this game. The big question is how will Jarrad do at left back. Must have been tempting to put Garner back there, but maybe he’s shown this week in training he can hack it. As much as O’ Brian at right back anyway. It is a bit weird though we have our first choice centre backs at full back and our second choice centre backs in pride of place.
Am also a little surprised he hasn’t gone with McNeil, it may be the case this is his last game, and possibly Iroegbunam.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:25:30
Mykolenko took a knock in training, O’Brien going to have a tough afternoon with Mitoma on the wing.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:25:46
Peter 26, please!
Defend this shit, don’t attack us
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:31:38
Yes, he should have put Garner left back, and not picked Keane. Had Rohl/Iregbuenam in the middle.
I wonder why he’s gone this way? Maybe Garner really didn’t want to go to full-back.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:32:07
Personally I don’t think there is any real difference between Patterson and O’Brien defensively at right-back but it does seem retrograde for attacking intent.
I also think left-back in a back four is a role with different expectations than the left centre-back. I’m not sure we will find Branthwaite any more likely to overlap or cross regularly than Mykolenko, so that choice seems strange unless Mykolenko and Aznou are both unavailable.
I think calling all of the chosen back four ‘lumbering’ is too harsh but Moyes definitely seems to be trying to win the game by doughtily defending corners and set-pieces and hoping that overwhelming height and strength at the opposite end will gain sufficient reward.
Not really watched much of Brighton this season so I don’t know if they remain nifty and nimble or whether some of that attacking verve has become dulled by the passage of time.
All games seem in the balance this season. We can definitely win this. Come on, you immense Blues!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:32:32
It’ll be long hoofs from Pickford to try and get their keeper to give us a corner then 4 big centre halves and Barry to hope the corner gets passed the front post but not the back unless Tarkowski has taken up position there.
Look on the bright side, we’ve got 2 right backs on the bench (one of the keepers must also have the mystery injury that is going around) and three if you think Rohl has played there but neither of our two left backs or any juniors.
Mr Moyes has certainly sprung one here.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:34:08
You are a decent Everton man, Kevin… sometimes.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:34:49
Dale @31 — I wasn’t attacking anyone!
I don’t have the first clue about this formation, but I am always half-full, rather than half-empty in my views on our prospects, especially before the match has even started.
Like everyone else, I whinge and moan if/when it isn’t working out or we make stupid mistakes. COYB!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:34:54
A really strange line-up with 4 centre-backs.
I feel for Patterson, he’s not the future but he’s been steady in the last couple of games and, in a 3, he is a decent wing back.
Jarrad Branthwaite at left-back is strange… but he’s quick, got a good left foot, and maybe with coming back from a long time out, there’s a bit less physicality at left-back?
But I always say, where there’s a negative, you can find a positive: No Mykolenko, finally… brilliant result! He is the worst left back in the Premier League.
Good midfield though and Harrison Armstrong will benefit hugely playing alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. I still fancy a result here for us.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:35:10
Oh dear, Kevin, your unbreakable faith in the Moyessiah is starting to waver, I fear.
Haven’t you written before, telling us with unchallengable perspicacity that “Moyes sees them every day of the week” — and therefore his selection cannot be questioned?
Welcome to the world the rest of us occupy…
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:40:09
I didnt see that starting line up in any of my ‘whats Moyes going to do thoughts!
Fingers crossed it somehow works and we win, we had a good run of wins with 4CBs under Ancellotti so you never know. Will watch with interest, hope we arent all cursing a strange selection after the game (too early to whinge now, surely?).
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:40:13
Looking at that line up suggests that their wide men are going to have a field day.
Get ready for a backs to the wall, low possession approach from our boys.In other words like most of our away performances.
Good to see Branthwaite and KDH playing again.
This will be tough as Brighton are playing well.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:40:38
Peter 36, alright. I think it is fair game when a lineup like this is produced to have a go. We all, well most, want the three points when the kickoff happens.
I just prefer to see the argument countered rather than commenting on the mood or tendencies of posters on the thread.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:42:36
is this line up a message to the owners ‘I’ve got no fullbacks!’? if so it’s very effective but could rebound on him if we get stuffed. he knows by doing this the cry will go up ‘buy a fullback, NOW!’
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:44:40
Kevin “surprised he hasnt gone with McNeil – the blokes been getting absolutely slaughtered for his performances – perhaps Moyes has been listening?
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:49:53
In we go we the 3,000 travelling blues.
This was always going ton be a tricky one, but we can bring the 3 points home.
Come on blue boys.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:50:29
he always seems to play well in this fixture Frank, I’d have put him in his favoured position on the left, and put Ndiaye right. That way the team has natural width. as it is, we are lopsided.
I’m not averse to questioning his calls Michael, I just object to the overwhelming levels of cryarsing levelled at him, when we’ve had 6-9 players out, and are still in touching distance of the euro spots. Particularly after the last decade, and the state of the squad in the summer. As every week passes it seems the players we bought havent’ immediately tanked Tosun Walcott style., we picked up the best loan, the best player, an excellent forward, and two exciting youth players. Nobody now mentions that of course…
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:50:52
He may play KDH aa an inside left
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:51:04
Get in Danny!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:52:04
Rob @39,
I didnt see that starting line-up in any of my ‘whats Moyes going to do thoughts!
I see the much-maligned Anjishnu failed to post his usual pre-match piece that includes the predicted line-up. I wonder if this means something anything?
Maybe he had this one predicted and thought “Nah, no one is gonna believe four centre-backs!”
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:53:13
Stangely our win odds have shortened and Brightons have got bigger since the teams were announced. Maybe they have a more weakened team than we have.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:56:24
I was hoping hed stick to three at the back but wasnt expecting four. I dont think any of those four plus Patterson deserve to be left out on form, but picking four at the back is a surprise. It may hamper our attacking play if the fullbacks dont get forward. Well soon know.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:56:53
Dale@42 – I guess my big issue is not that people don’t like a particular formation or team selection, it is just that it pretty much always starts with a pop at the manager and his alleged negativity.
In respect to this particular selection, I don’t know what he has in mind, but it is different (which is one of the criticisms often made of him – never changes anything) and he is not playing a few players (for whatever reason) who are frequently criticised on this site for not being good enough, including McNeil, Patterson and Mykolenko.
Suck it and see!
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:56:57
Theyve won once at home since November and that was against Burnley. First goal wins this game.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
14:58:12
George RR Martin sums up this thread in Game of Thrones better than I ever could so…
Alliser Thorne: Do you know what leadership means, Lord Snow? It means that the person in charge gets second-guessed by every clever little tw*t with a mouth. (or keyboard)
We’ve been absolutely shite for the last few years, looking over our shoulder, watching the results of other teams as much as our own.
We’re 5 points off the Champions League in the last week of January. Not one of us thinks relegation is a possibility. That’s a massive step in the right direction. We’re probably going to Europe next season regardless. Which one of you wouldn’t have bitten someone’s arm off for that last season. Give some bloody credit where it’s due.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:05:16
Yeah, not good Jason. Moyes deserves criticism that was heaped at Dyche for moves like this. Again, that is on the ad hominem side of a discussion or critique.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:08:35
Jason @ 53, so we should all be happy clappers then, regardless of performance and results?
Getting spanked at home on numerous occasions is progress is it? We are doing a lot better than last season agreed. But it doesn’t make everything in the garden rosy
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:16:46
Dale, 54.
Dyche didn’t get us 5 points off the CL after half the season was done.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:17:16
Amazing, we have 4 CBs plus Barry and Armstrong back for corners and still lose headers.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:18:45
Annika, 55.
Yes, “doing a lot better than last season” is progress. In fact, it’s the very definition of progress.
You don’t have to be a happy clapper, nor does anyone have to be a moaning sod before the game has even kicked off.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:28:58
Jason @ 58, everyone is entitled to there opinion, whether it’s supportive or not.
But that doesn’t mean people who express different views to you should be criticized. At the end of the day we all want our team to do well and win as often as possible.
But that line up today isn’t exactly a confidence filler
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:30:59
Jason, statistical fallacy. The top of the league is weak this year. Moyes isn’t Ancelotti
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:40:24
Dale, 60, I didn’t indulge in statistical fallacy, just the reality that we’re in touching distance of the CL going into February, rather than the cock-eyed fantasy that we’re doing no better than the previous season when we came close to relegation and were staring down the barrel of a gun at this stage of the season.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:48:32
First half for Everton, shots on targets = 0, shots off target =0, xG = 0, corners = 0, one-one-one attempts = 0.
At least we’ve been consistent.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:52:17
Another Moyes masterclass… god help us.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:57:37
What an awful first half from us. Brighton have created a couple of decent chances but we are playing as though nobody knows where anyone else is supposed to be.
Get Gana off as he doesn’t get forward in support enough and stop playing Armstrong in support of Barry and maybe put Alcaraz in that role
That is one off, one on. And maybe consider Ndiaye on the right but I’ll bet Armstrong is the one off and Dibling will come on on the right. Garner and Dewsbury-Hall need somebody else to help out in midfield.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:58:31
Steve @62,
I know someone who will be delighted with that.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
15:58:51
Steve (62),
We won here last season playing that puerile football — we had one shot on target throughout the game, the penalty taken by Ndiaye, maybe we can do the same today?
What a dreadful way to play football though, no wonder fans are continuing to be sickened by it.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
16:00:36
Posted
31/01/2026 at
16:05:37
Dave, it was absolute dross that first half.
Posted
31/01/2026 at
16:11:46
What is it.with.Everton cenre.backs.playong back to pickford does my head in
Posted
31/01/2026 at
16:17:31
This football club doesnt deserve nice things. Playing 4 fucking centre backs. If were so short GO OUT AND BUY SOME FUCKING FULLBACKS. Just fuck off
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