Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
David Moyes has praised Everton’s “tight-knit” squad following their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, believing the Toffees can use it to their advantage.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium in unusual fashion, as James Tarkowski’s long-range effort deflected off the Frenchman and into the net in the 11th minute.
Barry thought he had netted his second as he nodded home just before the hour mark, but the goal was contentiously disallowed following a VAR review, with Brennan Johnson deemed to be impeding Ipswich’s goalkeeper Christian Walton from an offside position.
Ipswich’s comeback hopes were hampered when Abdul Fatawu was shown his second yellow card for simulation, reducing the visitors to 10 men in the 67th minute.
The Toffees spurned some late chances, though it did not prove costly and they were able to seal three points, extending their unbeaten start to the season to seven games in all competitions.
It marks the second time under Moyes’ management that Everton have opened a Premier League season with five matches without defeat, having previously done so in 2006-07 (seven matches).
“We have a tight-knit group here,” Moyes told BBC Sport. “We wanted it to be that way, and we will use it to our advantage.
“It is difficult when everyone wants you to have a cup run and do well in the league. We’ve had a pretty good week so well done to all the players.
“It’s hard to assess today, we had good moments and not-so-good moments. We had good chances which we didn’t take but Ipswich have done well, and it was never going to be easy. Really pleased to get the three points.
“It’s always a relief when you win but also when you’re playing against 10 men it puts you under a bit more pressure.
“If we get the second goal it changes the game, but Ipswich clung on and it allowed them to put us under pressure late in the game.”
Moyes was, however, puzzled by the decision to disallow Barry’s goal in the second half.
“The goalkeeper wouldn’t have saved the header, but it was nothing like last year with blocking the goalkeepers,” he said.
“There’s no doubt Brennan was in an offside position but did he interfere with it?”
Combining for today’s winner! pic.twitter.com/Ndz3OMnzmX
— Everton (@Everton) September 19, 2026
Indeed, despite some moments of pressure from Ipswich, the Toffees turned out a largely positive performance, managing 21 shots – their most in a Premier League match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and most overall in the competition since firing 27 against Brentford at Goodison Park in November 2024.
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil, though, felt his team could have easily taken more away from Merseyside.
“I thought we had a good go today and the result is harsh on the lads,” O’Neil told Premier League Productions.
“We restricted Everton to not very much. Really unlucky with the goal, played some good stuff but lacked quality when we got in front of goal.
“The bigger picture today is what the lads managed to produce against a good Everton side. They were the better side for long periods with 10 men.
“If we keep playing like that we will give teams a game every week and we just need to keep repeating that.”
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