Everton travel to face Bournemouth this weekend aiming to build on a flawless start to the new Premier League campaign. The Toffees are fifth in the table with three points from one game, having beaten Crystal Palace 2-0 on the opening day, according to a report from sports.yahoo.com.
How has Everton's season started?
David Moyes's side could not have asked for a better opening to the 2026/27 season. They secured a clean-sheet victory over Crystal Palace before dismantling Preston North End 4-0 in the League Cup. Six goals scored and none conceded across two competitions represents a powerful statement of intent. The club's next cup fixture is a home tie against Wolves. This strong form is a welcome change from the end of last season, where Everton finished 13th after a seven-game winless streak, a position they also occupied in the 2024/25 campaign.
What are Everton's ambitions this season?
Everton's hierarchy viewed missing out on European qualification last season as a letdown. The target for this campaign is a sustained challenge for the top eight and a return to continental competition. Moving into the new Hill Dickinson Stadium appears to have galvanised the squad. Key experienced figures like James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford provide a solid foundation, while younger talents such as Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George offer exciting potential. The current league standing of fifth, just three points behind leaders Manchester City, shows they are on the right track early.
Who are the players to watch?
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remains the established first choice, a cornerstone of the team's defensive resilience. His understudy, Mark Travers, joined from Bournemouth in the summer of 2025 but has found regular opportunities hard to come by. His familiarity with this weekend's opponents adds a minor subplot. Manager David Moyes will have to plan without several midfield options, however, as Christian Nørgaard, Tim Iroegbunam, and Hayden Hackney are all currently sidelined, according to the club's injuries list.
What comes next for Everton?
The immediate focus is Bournemouth's first home Premier League game of the season at Dean Court. After that, attention turns to a significant home clash with Manchester United on September 6th. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our fixtures and standings pages. With two clean sheets already and a positive goal difference of +2, Everton's early-season solidity provides a strong platform for the challenges ahead. Maintaining this defensive discipline will be key to achieving their European ambitions.
