Everton have begun the 2025/26 season in encouraging fashion under David Moyes, demonstrating a level of resilience that has been a hallmark of the Scot’s management.

Their 8th-place standing with eleven points from three wins reflects a side gradually regaining confidence.

This includes victories against Wolves, Brighton, and a dramatic comeback over Crystal Palace, which ended the Eagles’ club-record 19-match unbeaten run.

A narrow defeat to Liverpool has also shown that Everton are competitive even against stronger opposition. This resurgence mirrors personal story arcs within the squad.

Several players are rediscovering form or thriving in new roles, their performances central to Everton’s improvement.

Last season, Everton climbed from mid-table mediocrity to 13th place following a strong second half of the campaign.

The current season sees similar trajectories, with key individuals revitalising their careers and contributing decisively in both goals and assists.

For a team balancing Premier League and European ambitions, these personal revivals are proving crucial.

Analysing Jack Grealish's revival at Everton

Few players embody Everton’s resurgence like Jack Grealish, the 30-year-old forward whose career has been revitalised since joining Goodison Park.

After struggling with injuries at Manchester City – missing 17 games over the past two seasons due to hip and groin problems – Grealish has found a regular rhythm under Moyes.

He has played 557 Premier League minutes in seven games, scoring one goal and providing four assists, already approaching last season’s totals.

Grealish’s influence is evident in his match-winning contributions.

He scored a 93rd-minute winner against Crystal Palace, securing the comeback that saw Everton climb the table.

Moyes’ decision to place faith in Grealish has clearly paid off; the player himself is thriving, enjoying regular minutes and responsibility.

This consistent involvement has also caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who emphasised that regular football is vital for World Cup consideration.

Statistically, Grealish demonstrates why he remains central to Everton’s attacking identity.

In his most successful season – the 2022/23 treble-winning campaign – he averaged 6.27 progressive carries per 90, 4.39 progressive passes per 90, and covered a progressive passing distance of 113.3 metres per 90.

He completed 84.1% of his passes, generated 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90, executed 1.97 successful take-ons per 90, and made 42 carries per 90, with 33.9 touches in the attacking third.

These numbers illustrate not only his creativity but his ability to influence games consistently, reinforcing his value to Moyes’ project.

Grealish has become synonymous with Everton’s resurgence, his technical ability, vision, and leadership setting the standard for others in the squad, such as his heir apparent Tyler Dibling.

His reinvention in blue serves as a blueprint for younger or previously underutilised players seeking to find their feet at Goodison Park.

Everton's other Grealish-type sensation

Another player following a similar path is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the 27-year-old central midfielder who joined Everton from Chelsea on a five-year contract worth £28m.

At Chelsea, he had a bit-part role, mainly appearing as a substitute and in Conference League fixtures, though he did feature in the Club World Cup final win against PSG.

At Everton, he has taken on a more central role, playing seven times in all competitions this season, scoring once and providing one assist.

Described as a “revelation” at the King Power by Brendan Rodgers in the past, Dewsbury-Hall’s having a similar impact as a highly effective cog in Moyes’ machine.

Aggressive in duels, adept at reading the game, and confident in possession, he combines defensive responsibility with ball-carrying ability.

Statistically, he ranks in the 74th percentile for pass completion (80.4%), 82nd percentile for progressive passes per 90 (5.46), 87th percentile for tackles per 90 (1.90), and 98th percentile for clearances per 90 (1.54).

Matches Played

6

Goals

1

Assists

1

Progressive Carries

10

Progressive Passes

34

His ability to break up play while advancing the ball mirrors some of Grealish’s influence higher up the pitch.

While Grealish brings creativity and goal involvement, Dewsbury-Hall contributes through stability, aggression, and intelligence in midfield.

He covers ground, reads the game well, and consistently makes positive choices on the ball.

Like Grealish, he is rediscovering form and impact, highlighting Moyes’ capacity to rejuvenate players who may have stagnated elsewhere.

If he continues on this trajectory, Dewsbury-Hall could become a central figure in Everton’s midfield, much as Grealish has in attack.

His development underscores the importance of trusting players, particularly those previously underused, and demonstrates how Moyes can cultivate personal resurgence that directly benefits the team.

For Everton, while young Dibling looks a player for the future, both Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall represent key pillars of their season – one providing flair, the other balance – with the potential to help maintain top-half stability and mount a challenge for European qualification.