60 seconds on Everton | Phil McNulty, Chief Football Writer, BBC Sport
Fri 24 October 2025, 12:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Continuing our '60 seconds on...' preview feature, where we take a closer look at our next opponents with the people who watch them week in, week out.
Next up, a trip to Everton on Sunday (4.30pm UK) as we return to Premier League action - and for the first time in 133 years, that doesn't mean a trip to Goodison Park - instead it means a first visit to the all-new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
To preview the match, we've called on the services of Phil McNulty, who has years of experience working at the very highest level of football in his role as BBC Sport's Chief Football Writer - including covering England at six World Cups - and born in Liverpool, he knows Merseyside football inside-out...
First up, it’s our first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium - what can you tell us about the new stadium - and how have Everton settled in?
Phil: "The new stadium has been a long time coming, with failed attempts stretching back over more than two decades. The wait has been a painful one at times, and while the men’s team leaving Goodison Park was a sad day, Hill Dickinson Stadium is a magnificent arena. I have reported there twice this season. It has a unique design, superb facilities and the location is spectacular, right on the banks of the Mersey. And perhaps most significantly of all, it is a purpose-built football stadium with steep stands close the pitch. It already has an atmosphere that, while not getting near the hostility of Goodison Park at this stage, is intimidating. Like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Hill Dickinson is a football arena. Is it better than Tottenham’s? I would say Everton’s riverside location is something very special, but as a stadium I’d go with Tottenham’s, only just. Not by much, though. Importantly, Everton have settled well there. They are currently unbeaten, with good wins against Brighton and Crystal Palace. They will hope to maintain that on Sunday."
We were the opponents for David Moyes’ second game on his return in January – how have things progressed since?
Phil: "I think they have looked more and more like a David Moyes team. They are organised, competitive and already look like they have a chance of perhaps a top 10 (I would go no higher than eighth) finish this season. They have played some decent stuff as well. I was at that game and Spurs were atrocious defensively. Everton were 3-0 up at half-time having barely scored a goal all season. It was a big lift for Everton. Moyes, as always, has a structure, but the lack of a quality striker may yet thwart their ambitions of finishing in the sort of position I’ve just suggested."
How would you sum up Everton’s start of the season?
Phil: "Solid. They have an outstanding goalkeeper in Jordan Pickford, a well-organised defence, a decent midfield and threats from out wide, but they have serious flaws up front. Beto is not consistent Premier League class, while Thierno Barry, the 23-year-old signed from Villarreal for £27m in the summer, is very much a work in progress. It is such an obvious weakness, but one Moyes cannot address until January. It has already cost them points this season."
Which of the new signings has caught the eye? Jack Grealish looks like he’s enjoying his football!
Phil: "Grealish is the obvious choice. He is playing with freedom and with a smile on his face, as you say. He is relishing the love he is getting from Everton’s fans as a creator of goals and someone always willing to take the ball and try something. He is right up their street as a player. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also made a good contribution, although Tyler Dibling has yet to get his chance following a £40m move from Southampton. He is only 19 and his time will come."
Who would be your ‘one to watch’ on Sunday?
Phil: "Easy. Iliman Ndiaye. Everton’s best player in my opinion. He can score and create goals, has superb individual skills and can be a match-winner. The supporters love him and it’s easy to see why. Everton have done plenty of bad deals over the years but the one that brought him from Marseille for only around £18m was superb business. He is a class act."
Finally, you’ve seen many of these fixtures - and a lot of draws! - how do you see it panning out on Sunday?
Phil: "Well, I can certainly see a draw again, but it’s a tough one to call. Everton have been good at home and Spurs have been decent away, playing in the Champions League away to Monaco on Wednesday. One goal in it for either side I reckon - but not sure which one. It will be very close."
