Analysis: Depleted Toffees show their fight

[Getty Images] The build-up to this match was dominated by conversations about who Everton failed to sign in the transfer window. Since their last league match - a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth eight days ago - they had sold attackers Iliman N'Diaye and Beto, while Nathan Patterson joined Torino. Their departures, plus Everton's failure to bring in reinforcements - a deal for Folarin Balogun fell apart in the final minutes of the window - have left David Moyes with only 18 senior outfield players until January. When on-loan Jack Grealish - once the most expensive British player of all time - took to the touchline on his return to the club, he appeared to be Everton's most likely route back into the game. That it turned out to be a stunner from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, their other deadline-day recruit, made Everton's late rescue act all the sweeter. The fact that they needed a wonder strike from a player who has spent most of his career filling in at midfield and full-back - and only has 15 career goals - is a sign of the lack of options Moyes has. Everton are one of only seven Premier League teams to remain unbeaten after three games, but a lack of reinforcements could be the undoing of the foundations Moyes has laid since his return in January 2025.