David Moyes started the front four that fans wanted to see against Brighton, combining new signings Thierno Barry, Jack Grealish, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with last season's top scorer, Iliman Ndiaye.

It worked a treat, with two assists for Grealish, a goal for Ndiaye, some great link-up play from Dewsbury-Hall, and some good moments of hold-up from Barry.

But for all the optimism about the chosen attack, there were certainly concerns regarding the decision to put James Garner back in at left-back. Not only did he have to contend with winger Yankuba Minteh, but it meant Tim Iroegbunam started again in midfield alongside Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The 22-year-old central midfielder, who joined from Aston Villa last summer, struggled against Leeds United in Everton’s 1-0 loss on Monday night. He provided minimal defensive cover for the back four, winning just three of seven duels, had zero interceptions, and gave away two fouls while winning none. He also offered nothing going forward, though the entire team struggled in that department.

But while his name won’t pop up in Premier League teams of the week like Grealish’s inevitably will, Iroegbunam put in a workmanlike performance against Brighton, and deserves serious plaudits for his maturity in turning things around after a tough season opener.

After Everton took the lead in the 23rd minute, Iroegbunam was pivotal in ensuring the Toffees didn’t concede before the half despite some positive play from Brighton.​

When Brighton released Minteh down the right-hand side in the 32nd minute, his drive into the box eluded Garner, Gueye, and Michael Keane. It was Iroegunam's lunging block on Matt O’Riley that prevented the visitors from taking a dangerous shot on goal.

He also made several key interceptions in midfield, as Brighton looked to bypass the midfield with decisive passes from Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul Van Hecke into their attacking players.

In addition, he showed some quality with the ball. Jack Grealish found him in space outside the box in the 34th minute, and Iroegbunam did very well to bypass three incoming Brighton players and take a shot, which he swept just wide of the post.

In the second half, he showed some of the same. Dribbling past two in the 49th minute and earning a free kick in a dangerous position outside the Brighton box.

That was something else he did well today. Twice more gathering the ball in the Everton half and forcing Brighton to foul him, which relieved pressure and burnt valuable seconds from the clock.

Despite coming off with a cramp in the 70th minute, Iroegbunam finished the match with seven duels won, tied with Idrissa Gana Gueye for second most in the team, and a 100% aerial duel win rate.

He also finished the game with more interceptions and blocks than any other player, with five combined, and won three free kicks, level with Dewsbury-Hall for the most on the day.

There was still plenty of room for improvement. His passing percentage leaves much to be desired, finishing with a 55% completion rate after giving the ball away on several occasions when attempting to make overly difficult passes. He also received an unnecessary booking towards the end of the first half, his second in as many games.

But all in all, it was a performance to be proud of, for a player who looked the weakest link in a side loaded with weak performances in matchweek one. Hopefully, it’s a jumping-off point for him, because at a young age, he has plenty of room to grow in an Everton shirt.

Reader Comments (8)

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Bernard Dooley
1 Posted 25/08/2025 at 10:46:56
Great review Angus and summed up all that Tim achieved on Sunday. I think he is a good player in the making and I believe Moyes likes him. He needs to be developed but will he get the time? Depends who we buy I suppose.
Bob Parrington
2 Posted 25/08/2025 at 11:22:41
Angus, Thanks for your article. I'm happy to see a focus on Tim. I believe he has been abused by many critics. They're allowed their views as we all are on TW. But, frankly, I believe he is better than the critics are trying to suggest
IMO his performance vs Brighton was quite good and he should be given credit for his step up. Ya know, negativity has no benefit. Give the guy a chance, without shit comments, and he will become an important player in our team.
Tony Killen
3 Posted 25/08/2025 at 13:33:57
Looked great in his first few games after arriving last season, then seemed to slip back a bit - such is the lot of many a young player. Didn't look great at Leeds, but, then, who did?

I made him close to MotM on Sunday, and I wonder whether Moyes might see him as a contender to fill Gana's berth when he retires. Either way, he's definitely a keeper, and, I agree, undeserving of the abuse he sometimes gets on here.

Chris Ellis
4 Posted 25/08/2025 at 13:50:44
I was impressed after the disaster of last week. If it wasn't for an injury at the start of last season he would have had a decent run in the team after a very good pre season.

Imagine how much more confidence that would have given him. Talk of lending him out but on this performance maybe he stays. Unless we sign someone… but, with time running out and no right-back, I doubt it.

Martin Berry
5 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:07:19
People forget that Tim had an injury last season that kept him out for a while, this really hindered his progress after a promising start.
He is still only 22 and only going to improve, added to that he has some size about him and is not going to be knocked off the ball easily.
I think we have a potential gem as he has a lot in his locker.
Howard Poole
6 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:12:03
This is an important post with the accent on giving credit and encouragement that is totally merited.
However his ill-discipline is concerning especially if it not curbed.
I fear that not through malice but clumsiness/over enthusiasm he might acquire a reputation.
That could cost us dear with an over fussy referee; we are not one of the best loved teams in the Prem.
Good management is the key; I do think we have an excellent work in progress in Tim.
Jerome Shields
7 Posted 25/08/2025 at 14:23:12
I don't think that it was as much a redemptive performance. Moyes against Leeds had instructed too negative approach, with a over emphasis on defence and safety.Leeds were given too much respect and space. Everton should never have laid back against Leeds.The result was that the defensive midfield pivot of Gueye and Iroegbunam was overwhelmed. They were reactive as opposed to being proactive.

Against Brighton they were proactive and positive in ball progression.Moyes got it wrong against Leeds and right against Brighton.If he had have done the same against Leeds as against Brighton Everton would have won the game.

I also think he is not fully fit hence the late challenges.

Michael Kenrick
8 Posted 25/08/2025 at 15:52:29
Seems the real issue with Time Iroegbunam might be yellow cards. He's picked up 2 in 2 matches!

And that's 4 in 4 if you take account of the final Premier League games last season.

PGMOL's David Hackett has said:

“Knowing David Moyes, even going to Finch Farm and chatting to him about a particular player’s behaviour, there’s no doubt that he and his coaches understand they need to do a bit of work on him.

“Otherwise, they’re going to lose him because he’ll be suspended after receiving five yellow cards, and he’s on that path pretty quickly after just two games.

“Moyes will almost certainly pull Iroegbunam aside. He needs some advice, whether that comes from the manager or the players around him, but with the tackles going in, they’re easy ones for the referees to recognise.

“You can easily find a challenge that could convert to red if a referee’s judgement or viewing angle is not the greatest, or if VAR intervenes.

“He needs advice to avoid a red card in the future. No manager will want to get rid of the enthusiasm, but something is missing here, and it needs to be resolved.”

Clearly he's a marked man. I thought the challenges were incidental. Iroegbunam goes to intercept the ball but the opponent just gets his foot to it a fraction of a second earlier and kicks it on, with Tim's boot then making contact.

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