Everton's new signing Hayden Hackney made a impressive debut in the Premier League against Crystal Palace. The 24-year-old central midfielder joined Everton from Middlesbrough earlier this summer for a reported £16.5million, with add-ons taking the full package to a maximum cost of £24m.
What did Alan Shearer say about Hayden Hackney's Everton debut?
Alan Shearer was impressed by Hackney's performance, saying he gave Everton a really good base and praising his quick-thinking and timing of tackles.
How did Hayden Hackney perform against Crystal Palace?
Hackney completed 38 of his 43 pass attempts successfully, created one chance and took 60 touches, and also played six passes into the final third, won two tackles, made four recoveries and one interception.
What's next for Everton?
Everton will look to build on this performance as they face Ipswich at home on 2026-09-19, after a tough recent run of form, with 0 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in their last 5 games, and currently sitting 36 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a goal difference of -3, having scored 47 goals and conceded 50, following their last result, a 1-0 loss to Tottenham on 2026-05-24. As of the end of the 2025 season, Everton finished 13th in the Premier League, with 49 points, 13 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses from 38 games, and a recent form of LLDDL.
Why is Hayden Hackney's signing important for Everton?
Hackney's signing is a significant transfer gamble by Everton, but his debut performance has shown that he could be a valuable addition to the team, and with Idrissa Gana Gueye leaving Merseyside this summer, David Moyes was in need of a new player to help run his midfield engine room. With the new season underway, Everton will be looking to improve on their 13th place finish in the 2025 season, and Hackney's performance will be crucial in achieving this goal.
The team is currently preparing for their next fixture, and fans will be eager to see how Hackney performs in his next game, as Everton looks to climb the Premier League table and make a push for a higher finish in the 2026-27 season.
