INTERNATIONAL

Everton's Seven-Game Unbeaten Run Heads Into Break With Injury Concerns

📅 October 5, 2026 · By Liberia Sports Live · AI-assisted match report · 👁 6

Solid Start, But Moyes Wants More Goals

Everton go into the first international break of the 2026/27 Premier League season in fine form, unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions. The Toffees have collected nine points from their opening five league games — good enough for fifth place in the table — while also reaching the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. Their Premier League results include a 2-0 opening-day win over Crystal Palace, draws against Bournemouth (1-1), Manchester United (2-2) and Tottenham (0-0), and a narrow 1-0 home victory over Ipswich Town, with Thierno Barry — their only recognised senior striker — grabbing the winner.

Manager David Moyes, however, is not getting carried away. Despite the encouraging results, he has been pushing his squad hard in training over their wastefulness in front of goal. "I'm actually more disappointed that we've not scored more goals. I'm rattling them like you couldn't believe," Moyes said. He has also firmly shut down any talk of European qualification, saying bluntly: "We are not using those words this year" — a caution stemming from last season's painful collapse after a 3-0 win over Chelsea in March, when the side went winless in their final seven matches.

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has been among those praising the Toffees' defensive solidity, saying Moyes deserves "lots of credit" for making Everton "a tough nut to crack", built on the central defensive partnership of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Injury News: Mykolenko Doubtful, Nørgaard Closing In

The main concern heading into the Hull City clash is the fitness of Ukrainian left-back Vitalii Mykolenko. The 27-year-old picked up a knock while on international duty — missing Ukraine's game against Georgia — before returning to England for further testing. Ukraine manager Andrea Maldera said of Mykolenko: "We still cannot count on him, unfortunately. He is not feeling very well." The knock is not believed to be serious, but his availability for October 11 remains in doubt.

There is better news, however, on Danish midfielder Christian Nørgaard. The summer signing from Arsenal — who has yet to appear for the Toffees after arriving with an injury — is now back in full training and could be named in the squad against Hull for the first time. Should Mykolenko miss out, Ainsley Maitland-Niles — who joined from Lyon on transfer deadline day — is likely to shift to left-back. The versatile defender has already made an impression at the club, scoring a stunning last-minute equaliser against Manchester United just days after signing.

Friendly Fitness Work

During the international break, Everton's non-travelling players took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers, with striker Thierno Barry on the scoresheet in a score draw — a good sign for his fitness and sharpness ahead of the resumption of Premier League action.

Transfer Talk

(Rumour) Everton are being linked with moves in the January window to bolster their paper-thin squad. Reports suggest Crystal Palace could revive their interest in a versatile Everton defender, with one outlet describing a potential move at a figure around £17 million — though no deal is imminent. There are also suggestions, labelled as opinion pieces rather than hard news, that the club's scouts are assessing striker options as a backup or upgrade for Thierno Barry, with a free-agent move possible as early as 2027. Separately, one report claims an unnamed club could look to recruit an Everton player on a "nominal transfer fee" in January. None of these stories have been confirmed by the club.

Everton's next action comes on Sunday, October 11, when they travel to Hull City, who have also started the season strongly, having lost just one of their opening five games.

Sources

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