Calum Jones 26/08/2026 22comments  |  Jump to last

(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Everton face Championship Side Preston North End in the EFL Cup Second round at Deepdale.

David Moyes’s side begin their League Cup campaign at this stage, with The Lilywhites coming out on top in a difficult matchup against Huddersfield Town in the previous round.

Preston’s 93rd-minute equaliser, scored by Swedish international Jusef Erabi, sent the tie to penalties. This was all whilst Paul Heckingbottom’s side were down to 10 men, with Everton academy graduate Lewis Gibson dismissed early on.

There has been some controversy this week regarding the words of David Moyes, with the Glaswegian seemingly not to be prioritising silverware through cup competitions, instead prioritising Premier League survival.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, he said: “Of course we all want to win the cups. Yes, the cups are hugely important, would it be more important than staying in the Premier League?”

"I’ll ask you the question: Is winning a cup more important than staying in the Premier League? What would your answer be? Of course we want to do well in the cups, I can’t think of any manager who wouldn’t want a good run in the cups."

Surely Everton’s ambition this season should be more than “staying in the Premier League”, especially after such a strong start against Crystal Palace?

So, the side Moyes puts out may say a lot about what the priority is this season, and certainly a statement of the Glaswegian’s ambition ahead of another busy season.

EVERTON TEAM NEWS

James Garner made a shock return to the bench during the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, even making a feature for 10 minutes. Returning little by little from the minor groin injury suffered in the summer, the midfielder may play a role in Wednesday’s clash.

Moyes mentioned the likes of Michael Keane and Tyler Dibling as available and therefore likely starters. This is an opportunity for some fringe players to thrive and show their worth.

Finally, Tim Iroegbunam remains sidelined with an adductor strain. 

EVERTON PREDICTED LINEUP (4-2-3-1)

Travers; Mykolenko, Keane, O’Brien, Rohl; Hackney, Armstrong; George, Alcaraz, Dibling; Beto

PRESTON NORTH END VS EVERTON MATCH DETAILS

Kick-off: 8 pm BST, Wednesday 26 August

Venue: Deepdale, Preston

HOW TO WATCH PRESTON NORTH END VS EVERTON

This EFL Cup game between Preston North End and Everton will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. You can also follow updates here, on the ToffeeWeb Live Forum.

 

Reader Comments (22)

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Mark Ryan
1 Posted 26/08/2026 at 10:50:46
I think the club wants to sell or swap O'Brien and so I cannot see him being risked tonight.

Munoz swap deal?
Kevin Naylor
2 Posted 26/08/2026 at 10:53:27
Sell O'Brien and keep Keane FFS,
Mike Powell
3 Posted 26/08/2026 at 11:02:16
It will be absolutely ridiculous if we sell O'Brien, it will leave us short at centre-back, so I just can't see it happening.

Plus still no right-back... is Angus bullshiting us or as he got one lined up???
Martin Reppion
4 Posted 26/08/2026 at 11:07:31
I've never understood the playing of a second string team in cup matches. Against lower league sides, the first XI, with, if necessary, one or two rested, should go all out to prove they are the Premier League side and get a big lead. Then, rest your stars and bring in the fringe players.

I understand leaving out Branthwaite, as he is returning from injury. But Barry needs the boost of scoring goals. Armstrong and Hackney need to gel. George and Ndiaye need to find their scoring boots.

Beto may get a hat-trick against a lower league team, but it will tell you nothing about his ability against top-level defenders. Patterson will probably not be troubled by Preston's wingers, but he is clearly not in the manager's plans for the first team.

Finally, if we are 3-0 up, bring on Travers and rest Pickford for the second half. Next round, please!
Gerard Carey
5 Posted 26/08/2026 at 11:07:59
Moyes, a master at playing down expectations.

What's wrong with going on a good cup run as well as shooting for the stars in the Premier League. One will enhance the other.

Wouldn't it be great if we were still in the League Cup and Top 8 in the Premier League come January?
Mark Ryan
6 Posted 26/08/2026 at 11:15:30
Gérard @ 5 spot on, why not give it a go...

They might enjoy it.
Andrew Ellams
7 Posted 26/08/2026 at 11:43:07
Mark, I think whether he plays or not will test those rumours.
Jack Convery
8 Posted 26/08/2026 at 12:41:16
Pickford, Rohl, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Armstrong, Hackney, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Barry, Dibling.

Don't feck it up, Moyes, please. Get it done and then bring on Keane, Aznou, Alcaraz and Johnson, for Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Dewsbury-Hall and Dibling. Let Garner get properly over his injury. If O'Brien is going expect to see Keane alongside Tarks with everybodies fingers crossed neither gets injured.

Is swap deal for Munoz and Jake likely ? I wouldn't put it past Palace and EFC to do it again, would you ? Whatever happens if Jake goes another CB, no doubt on a freebie will come in, with Rohl becoming the defacto right back with Garner his backup. Everton eh !
David West
9 Posted 26/08/2026 at 13:27:11
Interesting to see how he tackles this.

If he puts out a team with a few changes, and wins, no issues.

If he puts put a strong side and still loses, it would surely be down to players' attitude or tactics, as Everton should be going through this tie.

Put out a much changed team and lose, then it's another nail in the coffin for him. Will he just make the changes to be stubborn?

I'd play the strong side from the weekend, rest Jarrad for Jake, get ahead, and then pull off your key men.
Kevin Naylor
10 Posted 26/08/2026 at 13:56:56
1/2 to win tonight in 90 minutes, not for me thanks.
Christy Ring
11 Posted 26/08/2026 at 15:04:54
We've only played one game, pick a strong side, apart from Jarrad, and I hope he doesn't act the Dick and play Keane ahead of O'Brien. Reading the football gossip, why would Moyes sell O'Brien if he can bring in a fullback? That would leave Keane, as our only alternative centreback, is he losing the plot?
Mark Steers
12 Posted 26/08/2026 at 15:44:32
Why is everyone saying the club want to sell O'Brien? It's O'Brien who wants out -- he has apparently told Moyes "No more right-back, please, I need to play centre-back. But sadly he is going up against Tarkowski, who is captain now, so it looks like Jake has given up.

All speculation but tonight might show us a bit more as I think it will probably be Keane and O'Brien as centre-backs. Three games in a week is probably too much for Tarkowski and Branthwaite... Let's wait and see.
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 26/08/2026 at 16:33:15
I can no longer make the game tonight. My digital ticket free for anyone who wants it.
James Marshall
14 Posted 26/08/2026 at 17:52:39
Palace have just signed Axel Disasi on loan from. Chelsea to cover for Riad who got injured against us at the weekend so they might not be interested in another centre half.

Unless irony of all ironies they swap Munoz for O'Brien and play him at right back!
Mike Powell
15 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:15:08
Travers Rohl O'Brien Keane Aznou
Armstrong KDH Hackney
Dibbling Barry George,that's who I would start with
Ajay Gopal
16 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:32:03
Pickford
Rohl Tarkowski O’Brien Mykolenko
Armstrong Hackney
Dibling Barry George

If we are winning 2-0, bring on Aznou, Garner, Johnson and Beto. Good night, and hope to wake up to good news.
Andrew Ellams
17 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:41:31
I'll be surprised if he doesn't start with Beto tonight.
Martin Farrington
18 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:44:03
Great. Cant watch this either thanks to Sky Monopoly.
24 months contract !!!!! Shitbags.
Well at least I wont be able to watch in horror and bitter disappointment.
COYB
Jeff Armstrong
19 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:51:25
PICKFORD RÖHL
TARKOWSKI KEANE
MYKOLENKO GARNER
ARMSTRONG DEWSBURY-HALL
DIBLING
NDIAYE
BARRY
Subs
TRAVERS - PATTERSON - BETO O'BRIEN - GEORGE - JOHNSON ALCARAZ - AZNOU - FOSTER
Andrew Ellams
20 Posted 26/08/2026 at 18:59:02
You've only got 10 men Jeff. N'Diaye?

No Hackney in the 20 though and Keane ahead of O'Brien doesn't bode well
Jeff Armstrong
21 Posted 26/08/2026 at 19:02:18
Sorted
Tom Bowers
22 Posted 26/08/2026 at 23:00:32
Any win is a good win but Preston are poor. Behind at half time they had no option but to abandon their blanket defence and take the game to Everton which they did for ten minutes and then Everton just coasted after the second goal went in.

Wolves next and time for revenge and talking of revenge wouldn't it be really nice to kick Bournemouth's butts this Saturday.

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