Another away win has put Everton firmly in the race for Europe – now it is time to sort out their home form. Saturday’s impressive comeback win at Fulham made it five unbeaten in the league, and just one defeat in eight. All three wins in that time have been away from home, with the […]
Another away win has put Everton firmly in the race for Europe – now it is time to sort out their home form.
Saturday’s impressive comeback win at Fulham made it five unbeaten in the league, and just one defeat in eight. All three wins in that time have been away from home, with the Toffees yet to pick up three points at Hill Dickinson since early December.
There have been a few teething problems as everyone gets used to their new surroundings – that’s natural. But now is the time to make Bramley Moore feel like home, with three of their next four games on the banks of the Mersey.
With the league being so tight, a few defeats could see Everton tumble back into mid-table. But a win on Tuesday will lift them to sixth before Brentford and Liverpool’s games later this week (yes, I know, “beat Villa, we go top” vibes).
It does feel like the team could be building a bit of momentum, though, coinciding with a raft of players returning from injury. After years of desperately keeping their heads above water, it is nice to finally be looking up instead of down.
The opposition
Bournemouth are having a wildly fluctuating season. They won five and lost just one of their first nine games to rise to fifth, before going on an 11-match winless streak. However, they head to Merseyside having won three and drawn two of their last five, including a last-minute 3–2 win over Liverpool (had to get that in).
Last weekend saw January signing Rayan score his first Bournemouth goal since joining for £25m from Vasco da Gama. The teenager arrived as a replacement for Manchester City-bound Antonie Semenyo, highlighting the Cherries’ knack for unearthing an astute replacement for a big-money sale.
Though they are 11th, a win would move Bournemouth level on points with Everton thanks to the concertina nature of the league, making this a ‘mid-table six-pointer’ like the Fulham game.
The previous meeting in December saw Everton secure their first Premier League win at the Vitality Stadium, and they are now seeking their first league double over the Cherries.
David Moyes’ side will also want to banish a few ghosts from last season, when they led 2–0 in the 87th minute but somehow contrived to lose 3–2 in one of the most gutwrenching defeats of recent times.
Previous meeting
Bournemouth 0–1 Everton, 2 December 2025
So often a venue for Everton disasters, the travelling Evertonians were finally rewarded for the long journey south back in December when Jack Grealish’s deflected strike earned all three points.
Sadly, that was his final goal of the season, with the on-loan midfielder having surgery on a foot injury this week.
Team news
Jack Grealish is Everton’s only injury absentee, giving David Moyes plenty of selection issues to ponder.
Jarrad Branthwaite dropped back to the bench at Fulham, with Moyes keen to ease him back to match fitness following his long lay-off, but he could return to the starting line-up.
Tyrique George, also a substitute at Craven Cottage, is in line to make his home debut.
Final word
If Everton are to sustain a challenge for Europe, then they have to start winning games like this. There is a feeling among the fans that it is time for the supporters to try to play their part by generating a raucous atmosphere. Let’s hope the players respond in kind.
Category: General Sports
