Everton’s new stadium debut and Doku’s curler: Toffees face Man City test

Key facts

• Everton played their final game at Goodison Park in May 2025.
• The 2025-26 Premier League season will be Everton’s first at their new stadium at Liverpool’s Bramley-Moore Dock.
• Manchester City led 1-0 at halftime in the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on the evening of the report.
• Jérémy Doku scored the goal in the 43rd minute, curling into the top left corner past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
• Everton’s Beto is available to play and was expected to start against Manchester City.
• David Moyes thanked fans ahead of the Manchester City visit, saying 'We have loved the experience'.
• Everton fans have hit back at a ticket price increase, with one source stating 'Loyalty is being stretched'.

A new era begins at Bramley-Moore Dock

Everton Football Club, founded in 1878 and ever-present in the English top flight since the 1950s, played its final match at the historic Goodison Park in May 2025. The club will begin the 2025-26 Premier League season at its new stadium situated at Liverpool’s Bramley-Moore Dock, marking a transformative shift for the Toffees. Manager David Moyes, addressing supporters ahead of the Manchester City fixture, expressed gratitude: “We have loved the experience.” The move to the new ground comes amid ongoing financial pressures, with fans recently protesting a ticket price increase, one source noting that “loyalty is being stretched.”

Doku’s strike gives City halftime lead

In the penultimate home match of the season at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Manchester City took a 1-0 lead into halftime against Everton. The goal came in the 43rd minute when winger Jérémy Doku collected a pass from Cherki, settled the ball at the edge of the area, and curled a shot into the top left corner, leaving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with no chance. City dominated possession but struggled to test Pickford until Doku’s moment of brilliance. Earlier, in the 34th minute, Everton defender James Tarkowski and City’s Khusanov squared up after a confrontation, but play resumed without further incident.

Moyes’ lineup decisions and injury updates

Ahead of the match, speculation surrounded Everton’s starting XI. Striker Beto was declared clear to play and widely expected to start, with one pundit arguing “Beto is clear to play, so he should start against Manchester City.” Midfielder Harrison Armstrong faced competition from Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the side, while manager David Moyes challenged an unnamed midfielder to “do better” and step up. Moyes also addressed Jack Grealish’s potential move to Everton, with Pep Guardiola commenting that “it depends absolutely on him.” The club has been linked with the Manchester City winger, though no deal has been confirmed.

Match action: Everton hold firm but trail

The first half saw Everton adopt a defensive posture, with midfielder James Garner cleaning up at the back in the 41st minute. City’s Matheus Nunes drove down the right in the 37th minute, winning a corner that Bernardo Silva whipped into the box; Pickford punched it away emphatically. Doku had a shot blocked in the 34th minute as Everton formed a solid defensive wall. In the 38th minute, Everton’s Röhl looked lively, winning the ball in midfield, but the hosts could not turn possession into a clear chance. Cherki, on loan from Lyon, was quick to win a corner early in the second half, but City continued to press.

Haaland regret and transfer history

Everton’s failure to sign Erling Haaland earlier in his career has resurfaced as a talking point. The club twice missed out on the Norwegian striker, who now stars for Manchester City. Haaland’s absence from the matchday squad—he was not listed among the starters—did not prevent City from taking the lead. Meanwhile, Everton’s transfer activity remains a focus, with the club linked to several players including Jack Grealish. The Toffees are also navigating financial constraints, as evidenced by fan backlash over ticket prices.

Stakes for both sides in the Premier League run-in

For Manchester City, the match is crucial in their title chase: they aim to slash the gap to league leaders Arsenal. For Everton, a win would keep them in contention for European football next season. The Toffees currently sit mid-table but harbor ambitions of a top-seven finish. With only a few games remaining, every point matters. Moyes’ side must balance the emotional transition to a new stadium with the practical demands of Premier League survival and ambition.

What lies ahead for the Toffees

Everton’s immediate future is defined by the move to Bramley-Moore Dock, a project that promises increased revenue and modern facilities. However, the club faces ongoing challenges: fan unrest over pricing, the need to strengthen the squad, and the pressure to deliver results on the pitch. As the second half unfolded, Everton sought an equalizer. The outcome of this match—and the remainder of the season—will shape the narrative of the club’s new era. For now, the Toffees trail by a single goal, with hope resting on the shoulders of players like Beto and the resilience of a team in transition.

The bottom line

• Everton’s final season at Goodison Park ended in May 2025; the 2025-26 campaign begins at Bramley-Moore Dock.
• Manchester City led 1-0 at halftime thanks to Jérémy Doku’s 43rd-minute curler.
• David Moyes thanked fans for their support amid the stadium transition and a ticket price hike.
• Striker Beto was available and expected to start against City, while Jack Grealish remains a transfer target.
• Everton twice missed out on signing Erling Haaland, who now plays for Manchester City.
• The match carries significant stakes: City chase the title, Everton aim for European qualification.