The Premier League’s August awards have spotlighted Everton’s remarkable start to the 2025-26 season, with manager David Moyes and star loanee Jack Grealish earning nominations for Manager and Player of the Month, respectively. Their electric performances have transformed Everton into a formidable force, with back-to-back wins over Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers propelling the Toffees to fifth in the table. As Moyes orchestrates a revival at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and Grealish rediscovers his flair, their nominations reflect a resurgence that has fans dreaming of a return to Everton’s glory days.
Moyes, a seasoned tactician with a storied history at Everton, has been shortlisted for his 12th Premier League Manager of the Month award, tying him with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola. His leadership has galvanized Everton, who secured seven points from their opening three matches, including a historic 2-0 victory in their first game at the £800 million waterfront stadium and a thrilling 3-2 win at Wolves. “It’s nothing to do with me, let me tell you, it’s all to do with Jack and his own mentality to be better,” Moyes humbly said after the Wolves match, deflecting praise to his players. His strategic signings, including Grealish on loan from Manchester City, have injected creativity and ambition into a squad hungry to escape recent relegation battles. Moyes’ ability to foster a cohesive unit, despite defensive injuries to players like Jarrad Branthwaite, has earned him widespread acclaim.
Grealish, the 29-year-old England international, has been a revelation since joining Everton. After a challenging spell at Manchester City, where he managed just two assists in two seasons, Grealish has already notched four assists in his first two starts for the Toffees. His home debut against Brighton saw him set up both goals in a 2-0 win, including a pinpoint cross for Iliman Ndiaye’s historic strike at Hill Dickinson Stadium. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew this was the place I wanted to come,” Grealish said, crediting Moyes’ vision for his decision to join. Against Wolves, he delivered two more assists, orchestrating goals for Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and was instrumental in Ndiaye’s strike. “He’s even better than I thought,” Moyes marveled, praising Grealish’s work rate and creativity. His 91.4% passing accuracy, five dribbles, and seven fouls won at Molineux underscored his return to form.
The nominations don’t stop with Moyes and Grealish. Everton’s James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are also in the running for Goal of the Month, with Garner’s 25-yard piledriver against Brighton and Dewsbury-Hall’s clinical finish at Wolves capturing fans’ imaginations. “Jack gives us something just on the edge, which hopefully it’s on the edge of creativeness,” Moyes said, highlighting the attacking trio’s potential alongside Ndiaye. Grealish’s synergy with his teammates has made him the first Everton player to record multiple assists in consecutive Premier League games, a feat that has fans chanting “Super Jack” and mobbing him like a rock star after matches.
Grealish’s revival is a personal triumph as well. After being left out of England’s World Cup qualifiers under Thomas Tuchel, he’s determined to prove his worth for the 2026 tournament. “There’s a wee bit to prove, I’m sure,” Moyes noted, drawing parallels to his own career. Grealish’s infectious energy, seen in his post-match celebrations with supporters, has endeared him to Evertonians. His £15 million image rights fortune, bolstered by deals with Puma and Pepsi, continues to grow, but it’s his on-field joy—described as a smile that “might have to be surgically removed”—that’s stealing the show.
For Moyes, the nomination is a chance to become the third-most decorated manager in the award’s history. His summer recruitment, including Grealish and young talents like Thierno Barry, reflects Everton’s ambition under new ownership. As the club settles into its state-of-the-art stadium, Moyes’ vision is clear: “We are needing some of them to give us a lift now.” With Grealish flourishing and the team playing with newfound swagger, Everton’s early success suggests a season of promise. Whether Moyes and Grealish claim the awards or not, their impact has already set Merseyside alight with hope.
Leave a Reply