Everton return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Hull City and a chance to pick up where they left off before the international break.
David Moyes’ side remain unbeaten this season and went into the break after a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. Hull have made a decent fist of life back in the Premier League themselves, so this looks a tougher afternoon than the fixture might have suggested when the schedule first came out.
Moyes still has decisions to make over his side. Merlin Rohl is out, while Vitalii Mykolenko and Christian Norgaard have had fitness concerns. Norgaard’s return would at least give Moyes another midfield option after a frustrating start to life at Everton following his summer move.
Everton may have to win ugly at Hull
This probably isn’t going to be one for anyone expecting a Sunday afternoon classic. Hull and Everton have both been comfortable playing without the ball, looking to break quickly and making plenty of their set-piece opportunities.
That emphasises Everton doing the basics well… so far. Moyes has built a side that is increasingly difficult to beat, but the next step is finding ways to win games when there isn’t much space, and neither team is particularly interested in being too open.
Thierno Barry could be important again after scoring the winner against Ipswich. At the other end, former Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is among Hull’s fitness doubts, while Oli McBurnie gives the home side an obvious physical threat.
Everton have made a good start. A win at Hull would make it look better still.
