When the final whistle sounded on Everton's last game before the summer transfer window closed, their right-back was Tim Iroegbunam – a twist few would have predicted. The midfielder, who had been linked with a move to Hull City before a recent injury, finished the match in an unfamiliar role, potentially putting him in the shop window for suitors by showing he is fit again.
Playing in this corresponding fixture last season, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall commented on how Iroegbunam walked a disciplinary tightrope. He said: "I said to Tim, I've never seen a lad make so many clean tackles on a yellow card in my life. He got a yellow card in the 25th minute and made eight perfect tackles after that. said: 'Fair play lad. You've got some cojones to be able to keep going in when you're on a yellow', but he reacted unbelievably."
Right-back slot remains unfilled
Everton's transfer committee has had 18 months to fill the right-back position with a specialist, and even Blues-supporting Prime Minister Andy Burnham has insisted they need to sign one, remarking that Jake O'Brien – who remained on the bench here – can't do another season in the role. Seeing Iroegbunam finish the game there felt like a kick in the teeth.
James Tarkowski showed two sides at the Vitality Stadium but ultimately came up trumps with a stoppage-time equaliser. It wasn't as late or dramatic as his goal against Liverpool, but it allowed loyal supporters making the annual 520-mile return trip from Merseyside to Dorset to leave with smiles ahead of their journeys home.
Tarkowski leads by example
Known for his aerial ability, Tarkowski proved he can strike a ball cleanly, just as he did in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on May 10. After scoring for the first time since replacing Seamus Coleman as captain, he clutched the Everton crest while celebrating in front of the away fans.
However, his lack of pace was exposed when left one-on-one against Evanilson in the build-up to Bournemouth's goal. The more fleet-footed Jarrad Branthwaite – or O'Brien, who produced colossal performances in his natural position alongside Tarkowski here last season – would probably have coped better, but Tarkowski remains this team's leader.
Barry's composure questioned
If only Thierno Barry had shown the same composure in front of goal as his skipper, Everton might have ended their long-running trail of tears at Bournemouth with back-to-back victories. Instead, the striker must console himself with four goals from August, a tally representing half of last season's total and a milestone he didn't reach in 2025/26 until January 18.
Barry described himself as "a wounded animal" in a social media post over the summer, determined to come back stronger after an up-and-down maiden campaign. Most of his strikes this term have been predatory rather than blockbusters, but that's what Everton need – a frontman in the right place at the right time.
On too many occasions in recent years, Blues strikers – whether Barry, Beto, or somebody else – have spent prolonged periods feeding on scraps, often isolated from the rest of the team. Taking a glass-half-full approach, Evertonians can take hope from the fact that the 23-year-old is getting on the end of chances, and some opportunities should be taken.
Late drama at Bournemouth
Everton's first Premier League trip to Bournemouth almost 11 years ago featured two stoppage-time strikes. On that maiden visit on November 28, 2015, Roberto Martinez's side led 2-0 through Ramiro Funes Mori and Romelu Lukaku until 10 minutes from the end, but Adam Smith reduced the deficit before Junior Stanislaus levelled on 87 minutes. Everton thought they'd won it on 95 minutes through Ross Barkley, but Stanislaus struck again on 98 minutes to secure a share of the spoils.
Even when Beto equalised for the Blues here in 2024 on 87 minutes, there was still time for the hosts to win through Coleman's own goal, condemning Sean Dyche's troops to go from Christmas to Easter without a Premier League victory.
Barkley followed on from Wayne Rooney, Francis Jeffers and Michael Ball as talented young Scousers who departed Goodison Park with their best years still ahead. The move to Hill Dickinson Stadium and The Friedkin Group takeover was supposed to end that, so Everton's American owners and Angus Kinnear need to take note if they wish to avoid an horrific backlash over Harrison Armstrong.
