Everton Round-Up, Friday 13th November: Grealish Apologises to Fans as He Returns from Disciplinary Exile
Jack Grealish has issued a public apology to Everton supporters after returning to action following his disciplinary absence, featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Derby County at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday (Liverpool Echo) (The Sun) (BBC Sport) (Goal). The apology, reported as 65 or 66 words long depending on the outlet, saw Grealish break his silence over the "boozy antics" that led to his axing, with David Moyes said to have welcomed the winger back from exile (TeamTalk) (Football365) (Goal). Royal Blue Mersey reported that Everton beat Derby 4-1 in that private friendly (Royal Blue Mersey). ToffeeWeb said it was time for the club to move forward now that Grealish has apologised (ToffeeWeb), while Read Everton suggested the 31-year-old now faces a battle to win back his place in Moyes' starting side (Read Everton). In his first Royal Blue column as the Liverpool Echo's new Everton correspondent, Connor O'Neill wrote that Grealish has been given a second chance and must now prove he deserves it (Liverpool Echo), a theme also picked up on the latest ToffeeWeb Talk podcast alongside discussion of Moyes' future at the club (ToffeeWeb).
On the international front, Jordan Pickford and James Garner both featured as England beat Croatia 2-1 to reach the Nations League quarter-finals on Thursday evening, with Pickford edging closer to a century of caps (EvertonFC.com). Garner thought he had scored his first England goal in the win but saw it ruled out (Read Everton). Elsewhere, Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George were in contention to feature for England Under-21s against Portugal at Ashton Gate on Friday evening (Read Everton). Brennan Johnson is set to win his 50th Wales cap when Craig Bellamy's side face Norway in the Nations League on Saturday (Read Everton). Thomas Tuchel explained why Jarrad Branthwaite was overlooked for the latest England squad, with ToffeeWeb branding the manager's stance on the defender "baffling" given the likes of Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Jarell Quansah were selected instead (ToffeeWeb) (Liverpool Echo). Meanwhile Scotland are reported to be stepping up their pursuit of recruiting summer signing Hayden Hackney for international duty, a switch he has been approached over (talkSPORT) (ToffeeWeb) (TeamTalk).
On the transfer front, Everton have reportedly enquired about Vasco da Gama forward Andres Gomez, though Bournemouth are said to be leading the race for the £17m-rated Colombia international ahead of January (Read Everton). Duncan Ferguson gave his verdict on Everton's reported links with Kevin De Bruyne, whose future at Napoli has been thrown into doubt, and also revealed Andy Robertson has held talks with the club (Liverpool Echo).
Away from the pitch, Brennan Johnson said he is happy with his game time at Everton despite starting only five of the club's opening 10 Premier League matches (Read Everton). Everton defender Jake O'Brien visited Finch Farm to support schoolchildren living with Type 1 diabetes as part of an Everton in the Community workshop (EvertonFC.com). Fans unable to travel to Fleetwood Town for the Carabao Cup quarter-final can watch a live screening at Hill Dickinson Stadium (EvertonFC.com), while Goodison Park will host a festive night out when Everton Women take on Arsenal in the Women's Super League next month (EvertonFC.com).
In the women's game, Everton Women take on Tottenham Hotspur Women on Saturday, with Goal.com providing viewing details for the fixture (Goal). That follows a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and a 6-0 League Cup win over Durham earlier this month, with a League Cup trip to Manchester United to come on 18 November.
Finally, the Liverpool Echo's Christopher Beesley reflected on his four years covering Everton as he completes 26 years of service at Reach, while the Echo jury also revisited VAR talking points from the recent 3-1 comeback win over Coventry City, including a statement on Thierno Barry, whose underlying numbers ToffeeWeb say show he deserves patience (Liverpool Echo) (ToffeeWeb).
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
