Everton go to Hull City on 9 points from 5 Premier League matches, unbeaten and seventh in the table. Hull have 8 points from 5 and sit eighth, so the margin between the sides is only one point. The meeting at the MKM Stadium has the feel of an early test rather than a routine away day.
Everton's place in the table
David Moyes said Everton may have a fully fit squad to choose from, which helps. The bigger issue is away form, because he also said that since the 3-2 victory at Newcastle United on 28 February, Everton have not won any of their subsequent seven away fixtures. That is the awkward number in this trip, even with the league start still unbeaten.
Everton have still put together a decent opening run. Five league matches into the season, they are sitting in seventh and only ahead of Hull by the narrowest of margins. Hull's own start has been strong enough to keep this firmly in the top-half conversation, especially at home.
Branthwaite's full-90 run
Jarrad Branthwaite has been on the pitch for every minute of Everton's league campaign, playing the full 90 in each of their first five league matches. That gives Everton a steady defensive base at a time when the rest of the team is still settling into the new season.
His England involvement adds another layer. Branthwaite's appearance in England's 3-2 defeat against Spain was his first for England since June 2024, and he was the only natural left-footed defender in Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad. Everton will not care about the international detail on its own, but they do benefit from a defender who has been trusted from the opening weekend.
Saturday's Hull City vs Everton meeting should tell us more about how stable that start really is. Everton have the points, the unbeaten record and Branthwaite's full-90 availability, but Hull are close enough to make the game matter straight away.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
