Everton manager David Moyes admits the team has a lot of work to do after they lost 1-0 to AS Roma in the final pre-season friendly. It was a historic day for the Blues, who played in front of 50,837 fans at the new waterfront stadium for the first time.
Matias Soule’s 70th-minute strike turned out to be the difference between the two sides, while James Tarkowski, Iliman Ndiaye and Thierno Barry were guilty of squandering chances.
However, any analysis of the on-field action takes a back seat to the magnitude of the occasion. It was a day that was years in the making and after 133 years, fans and players of the club have found a new home.
"I think it does [feel like home]. It's going to take a bit of us getting used to it completely but it's a great stadium and hopefully it's a chance to see some really good players and good teams in the future,” said Moyes.
"It's brilliant for the football club. For my journey as well – I've had lots of different twists and turns – but overall I think the football club has been so desperate for this situation to arise with the new stadium. I think it's a wonderful stadium, it's a step up, certainly, from Goodison and I think for Everton Football Club it's a real positive step."
When asked about his thoughts on the game, the 62-year-old admitted that there are issues that need to be solved before the Premier League season opener against Leeds United in just over a week. “We’ve got a lot to do, haven’t we?”
“First half I thought we were OK, I didn’t think we played so well in the second half. Roma were better in the second half. We missed a couple of opportunities to get in front but didn’t take them. The first half was OK, the second half we weren’t so good.”
Everton made a series of changes at the hour mark, which saw them losing control of the game. The drop in quality coincided with the substitution of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The left-footed midfielder, recently signed from Chelsea, was a standout on his Everton debut and was impressive at pulling strings in the middle of the pitch.
"I thought Kiernan did well," said Moyes. "I thought he gave us some quality and you could see the difference in his levels with some of the things he did, which were very good, so I'm really pleased with that part. I think Barry had moments as well."
The Blues have been goal-shy throughout the pre-season. Moyes’ side has scored just six goals in seven friendly games over the last month and a lack of creativity has been an issue.
“We've been lacking it [creativity] for most of the pre-season to score enough goals and make enough goals. So, we did do last season, we scored a lot of goals in the second half of the season. Hopefully, we're keeping up for the start of the season.”
Reader Comments (12)
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2 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:04:59
I am sure Moyes would like to do that but we had a first team staff of 12 at the end of (including some rubbish) and a top net spend expected to be a very modest £150M.
I'm not sure then how it was ever going to possible to compete.
If we could stock up on the best players outside of Top 8 we could have players like Kudus, Cunha, Mbeumo, Eze etc etc but we're miles off that.
Moyes will be experienced enough to know how the market works and the difficulty of turning an extremely weak side into a Top 10 side.
3 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:18:53
Moyes as said as much himself: we need at least another 4 players, otherwise it's another long battle… if we get one or two injuries, then we will be in deep trouble
4 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:23:03
Agree that Moyes is very experienced in how the transfer market works.
With that in mind, I'm surprised at some of his comments, as surely he would have known the difficulties most teams (Sky 6 with mega budgets excepted) face.
5 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:35:45
Your forwards are usually the best players in the squad in terms of technical ability.
Not the case here. Goals are going to be a huge challenge this season.
6 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:57:56
He had a couple of chances, made a couple too yesterday, Ndiaye should have scored the one he played him in for. He made good runs, had a couple of decent touches. I'm positive about the lad.
He will take time, and friendly games aren't the best way to judge. He looks like a player who will be better when the games are played at a quick pace, like Premier League games.
7 Posted 10/08/2025 at 12:39:37
For some reasons which we are not privy to, over the last few seasons, we have got rid of two full-backs who were better than we currently have, and a couple of forwards who were as good as we have brought in since.
Have we wasted money or do they have to do that to balance the books?
8 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:00:53
Moyes is just doing what he normally does – downplaying everything and getting some excuses out there.
He didn't really ever think he was going to be supplied with a decent number of quality ready-made players.
9 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:56:07
More personnel will undoubtedly come in – and looking back to the players that have left – besides Doucoure, would most fans have picked Lindstrom or Harrison as first team starters? Young would have been behind O'Brien, though a good squad member, Calvert-Lewin was not fully fit or firing on all cylinders, Mangala injured, Broja injured most of the time - and these players I feel will be and are getting adequately replaced.
So, I have some optimism.
10 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:55:48
I imagine we will still make at least two permanent signings this month and 4 loan signings (or is 5 the max?), which will hopefully sort that right flank out and add some pace and depth to the squad.
11 Posted 10/08/2025 at 19:42:43
It is to be hoped that those additions being lined up are at least good enough to keep us away from the annual relegation battle zone. I'm bored of it !
12 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:14:36
We will no doubt sign more players and we will have a much better idea in a few weeks.
This season is going to be a 'stay away from the bottom 3' only season, thats all I'm expecting,
We are well down the pecking order at the moment.
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1 Posted 10/08/2025 at 10:44:52
Whether you wanted Moyes or not, I think he wants us to be competing at the top end and he knows this present squad isn't capable of that. He knows he will be remembered for what he achieves this time round; unless he gets the backing to bring in quality players, then his legacy will be one of failure.