Premier League football is back after the extended international break. Everton have to wait until Sunday for their return, as they take on Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
It has been a fine start to the season for the Tigers, who have taken 8 points from their opening 5 league matches.
Here, we look at what to expect from Hull.
LAST TIME OUT
Hull’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last time out.
They trailed 2-0 inside 7 minutes, but Mohamed-Ali Cho — once of Everton — pulled one back in the second half at St. James’ Park.
Arguably, Hull were marginally the better team. They had more shots (22 to 12) and created chances worth a higher xG (1.6 to 1.4), so they definitely didn’t play badly. They were perhaps just lacking that clinical touch.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first time Everton will face Hull since January 2022, when Rafael Benitez’s Toffees won 3-2 in the FA Cup.
Overall, Everton have faced Hull 25 times, with the Toffees winning 11 of those meetings, drawing 6 and losing 7.
Their last Premier League meeting came in March 2017, with Everton winning 4-0 at Goodison Park.
HULL’S FORM
Here are Hull’s last six competitive results:
August 25th: Stoke City 1-1 Hull City (4-5 on pens) [EFL Cup]
August 29th: Coventry City 0-1 Hull City
September 5th: Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa
September 8th: Sunderland 1-0 Hull City [EFL Cup]
September 12th: Chelsea 2-2 Hull City
September 19th: Newcastle United 2-1 Hull City
ONE TO WATCH
Tim Iroegbunam has already clocked up 3 league appearances for Hull since his deadline-day departure from Everton.
And while there should be absolutely no ill-will towards Iroegbunam, there’ll always be a few nerves when going up against a former Everton player. Will it come back to bite us?
Iroegbunam has never really proved himself as anything like a goal threat, but he is a combative, physical midfielder who can certainly carry Hull forward through the centre of the park, as well as disrupt Everton’s flow.
Mohamed Belloumi, meanwhile, has already registered 4 league goal involvements this term.
WHAT CAN EVERTON TARGET?
Hull are now on a 3-game winless run in the top flight, and that streak stretches out to 4 when you include their League Cup defeat to Sunderland. So, while the Tigers started well, Everton should not be fearful.
A fast, composed start is crucial, though. David Moyes has to set his team up well and with plenty of attacking intent. Get on the front foot, control the ball, dictate the tempo and quieten the crowd.
Then, it’ll be on the likes of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to make things click in the final third.
Tyler Dibling is fresh from scoring for England’s under-21s, and there’s a very solid argument for him to get the nod over Brennan Johnson out on the right flank.
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