Everton's win over Crystal Palace provided a welcome three points, but the club must not let the result distract from the need to strengthen the squad. The performance showed a competent display, with younger players stepping up and senior figures providing moments of quality in the first opening-day win since 2021.
Defensive frailties exposed
Despite the victory, Palace exposed weaknesses that, while unpunished, should serve as a sign that work is needed. The Blues should have conceded at least once in the opening exchanges, with Jean-Philippe Mateta flicking over from close range and hitting the post, either side of a Jordan Pickford save from Eddie Nketiah.
While Everton rode their luck, they also posed problems, with Iliman Ndiaye shooting too close to Dean Henderson after a pull-back from Merlin Rohl. Rohl, chosen over Jake O'Brien at makeshift right-back, was a game competitor, but his limitations in the position were evident. Both of Mateta's big chances came from Nketiah crosses from the left, with Adam Wharton chipping the ball over Rohl's head for the second.
Right-back recruitment priority
Moyes was right to point to the need for a recruit to be better than the options he has. A specialist would provide an improvement, particularly in judging stick or twist scenarios where O'Brien's instinct is to defend and Rohl's to attack. Both Moyes and chief executive Angus Kinnear say they want to sign a right-back, a position that even players in the squad believe needs addressing.
The failure to have found a solution thus far is not ideal, especially given the need pre-dates the return of Moyes and the takeover of the Friedkin Group (TFG). Opportunities to build beyond right-back also need to be explored, with the return of James Garner and introduction of Christian Norgaard set to help.
Building for the future
There were promising signs on Saturday, with George very good in only his second start, Barry finding the net, and Branthwaite impressing. Dewsbury-Hall produced a superb opening strike, and Hayden Hackney was good on his debut. The Blues have a solid team at full strength and the nucleus of a side that could be exciting in a year or two.
The challenge is to avoid undermining that growth by putting too much pressure on too few players. The squad is compromised if neither Barry nor Beto finds a ruthless streak, if Vitalii Mykolenko shows defensive uncertainty, or if the team becomes over-reliant on Ndiaye for creativity and Dewsbury-Hall for goals. Success will be partly dependent on the lottery of the final days of the transfer window, with decisions to be made on outgoings like Tim Iroegbunam and Beto, and whether Nathan Patterson can find a new opportunity.
