Everton picked up a 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium to secure six points from their first three matches of the Premier League 2025-26 season.
David Moyes, matching the great Howard Kendall’s record of 542 games as Everton coach, liked bits and pieces of the team’s performance as the Toffees showed glimpses of great attacking football.
"I liked bits of the performance,” Moyes said after the game.
“I still would have liked it to have been much better. We conceded two goals which I don't think were like us, the type of goals they were. They were a bit easy and not the things we work on and we're quite good at.
“So I was disappointed with that, a bit disappointed when we were 3-1 up that we didn't go and get the fourth goal, which we had three or four opportunities. But the answer to your question is, you know, we've come away from home with a really good win.”
Goals from Beto, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ensured that the Blues returned to Merseyside with all three points. Jack Grealish also picked up two assists and, along with Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall, showed moments of flair and positive football.
"If we can entertain and be really good, great. If we can't, then I just want to win. That's what I want to do,” Moyes continued.
"Kiernan played very well today. So did many of them, but he'd done a really good job. So, you know, Jack's beginning to get some assists. He's looking a good player for us and really pleased to have him at the moment.
"The biggest compliment I can say about Jack is that he's even better than I thought he was."
In his pre-match press conference, Moyes was asked about his relationship with striker Beto. Dismissing concerns about a rift between the two following some criticism during the pre-season, the Everton boss, instead, spoke about the Guinea-Bissau international’s excellent attitude and willingness to learn.
After being on the bench in the last two matches against Brighton and Mansfield Town, Beto was given the opportunity to start against Wolves. He repaid the manager’s faith by scoring the opening goal and his holdup play looked better.
Pleased with Beto’s second goal in as many games as well as the healthy competition between him and summer signing Thierno Barry, Moyes said, "I'm going to change Beto and Barry around, I want to try to keep them fresh.”
"I wanted Barry to get some game time which he did do and he did a great job at Brighton, assisting the goals with his link-up play. But I just felt maybe Beto might have been the right one to come here and know a wee bit of their ground and what it might be like.
“But I need the two of them, we'll be firing, I need the two of them, we'll be scoring goals and we might chop and change them as we see at different times.
"But Beto's just got two goals now, got one in midweek, got one today. And that's what you need to do as a striker. You just need to keep getting the goals and he starts to get the numbers a lot bigger."
Everton will return to action with a clash against Aston Villa at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 13 September after the international break.
Reader Comments (25)
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2 Posted 31/08/2025 at 10:40:23
I can’t wait for the Villa game. I know the bubble could easily burst but with the talent we currently have I just feel that we can bounce back regardless.
With new LB and RBs and Dibling up to speed, whisper it, but I think we could be world beaters!
(It’s the hope that kills you!)
UTFT!!!!!
3 Posted 31/08/2025 at 10:46:18
4 Posted 31/08/2025 at 10:52:12
NSNO after all and we’ve still got to have a lot more consistent performances before we can say that we’re fulfilling that.
5 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:04:53
My God what a difference from last year, this squad is still building, bonding, and forming.
The new Everton will start to be looked on differently, more respect from the outside and more pride from within.
If we can add just a bit more in this window we can set a marker down this season.
6 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:46:58
Our defensive play has been too dodgy though, but thats how it usually goes, score more and conceed more because your more concerned with attacking.
I would sooner have it that way though than a defensive set up and very few goals.
7 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:53:18
8 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:56:12
9 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:56:15
Grealish to score against Villa is definitely worth a punt.
Slightly worried about Tarks who seems off the pace a bit, but even Keane has been pleasantly surprising.
I'd love a cheaky little Gueye bid to scare the other lot.
10 Posted 31/08/2025 at 11:56:58
11 Posted 31/08/2025 at 12:02:36
12 Posted 31/08/2025 at 12:14:50
13 Posted 31/08/2025 at 12:17:27
Having watched the Wolves goals several times it’s clear that Keane is at fault for both. The first one he fails to cut out the cross, and the second one he’s unaware of who’s around him and myko is asleep at the helm.
Once Branthwaite is back those left sided mistakes will cease.
I also thought Gana wearing his long Johns was very distracting
14 Posted 31/08/2025 at 12:57:26
The second is down to Myko, it’s his ball he just doesn’t move and allows their man 5 yards behind him to get in front of him. That’s poor defending.
We should have been out of sight by then. Several times we had an overload on their defenders but failed to make the right opening. Surely we practice this.
Moyes is right, some pleasing aspects, some not so good.
We really should add to this squad in next 24 hours, we have a better bench, but still got kids on it. We know we need a RB, defensive and midfield cover.
15 Posted 31/08/2025 at 13:47:39
We definitely need a new RB. While O'Brien is doing a good job it is not his natural position. I am not convinced by Patterson and we cannot rely on Seamus anymore.
I would also like to see a deputy for Gana as he will be away on the African tournament and is not getting any younger.
And as a sidebar, it is a No to Soucek as I just don't know where he would fit in the team and he is slow.
16 Posted 31/08/2025 at 14:28:32
Tarkowski in particular needs to up his game.
17 Posted 31/08/2025 at 17:05:08
Anybody know when Branthwaite is due back?
18 Posted 31/08/2025 at 17:13:03
If we could find a right-footed Branthwaite, we'd be laughing.
19 Posted 31/08/2025 at 17:32:39
Colin #13, Tarkowski and Mykolenko respectively were to blame. Definitely not Keane, who in my view had an excellent game.
Rob #17, agree, Tarkowski isn't fully fit after a summer of inactivity. I'm honestly surprised he returned as quickly as he did.
20 Posted 31/08/2025 at 19:36:31
Still, it's great to be getting some results early doors, and we're playing some lovely stuff at times. Puts a spring in your step thinking about it!
Fingers crossed for at least one full back tomorrow.
21 Posted 31/08/2025 at 20:25:55
Mike #19, I agree, Keane was solid but I think he was asleep for both goals
James #20, it’s about time we had some luck. Usually most decisions go against us
22 Posted 31/08/2025 at 20:48:10
I wanted a new forward as well, but now feel that we have enough players to share the goalscoring around. Also reckon with decent service Beto will reach double figures.
23 Posted 01/09/2025 at 03:09:20
I think Keane is playing well and Branthwaite is back, he probably should keep his place over tarks. Good to have some competition in that area too.
I really like the new Moyes. He has obviously picked up a huge amount of experience since he left us originally but he also seems far more comfortable and open now. He says it like it is without being too defensive (no pun intended). Everything he is saying makes sense.
24 Posted 01/09/2025 at 16:45:38
Hopefully that man is Jake O'Brien, Andrew.
Branthwaite and O'Brien are surely our future CB pairing.
25 Posted 01/09/2025 at 16:51:19
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1 Posted 31/08/2025 at 10:31:21
People always have plenty to say about the manager, and I was one of those who didn't want him back but it does somehow feel like the right decision - and he does understand what it means to be an Evertonian.
Obviously it won't last forever but right now, and for the first time in a long time it's all quite good fun for a change isn't it?