The Premier League’s 2025-26 season kicked off with a charged atmosphere at Elland Road, where newly promoted Leeds United welcomed a revamped Everton side on August 18, 2025. All eyes were on Jack Grealish, the former Manchester City star who recently joined the Toffees on a season-long loan, hoping to reignite his career. However, Everton manager David Moyes made the bold decision to bench the 29-year-old England international for the Monday Night Football clash, leaving fans and pundits buzzing with anticipation and debate. Grealish, named in the matchday squad, was forced to wait for his Everton debut, coming off the bench in the second half as Leeds secured a dramatic 1-0 victory, spoiling the Toffees’ hopes of a triumphant start.
Grealish’s move to Everton, finalized on August 12, marked a new chapter for a player who had fallen out of favor at Manchester City. After a £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, Grealish enjoyed a trophy-laden stint under Pep Guardiola, including three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in the 2022-23 treble-winning season. Yet, his playing time dwindled last season, with only seven Premier League starts and exclusions from City’s Club World Cup squad and FA Cup final lineup. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton,” Grealish told evertontv, his excitement palpable. “It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.” Moyes, a long-time admirer, echoed this enthusiasm, saying, “We’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.” The loan deal, which includes a £50 million option to buy, was seen as a coup for Everton, who also welcomed Carlos Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Adam Aznou, and Mark Travers this summer.
The decision to bench Grealish raised eyebrows, especially given his storied history with Leeds. As an Aston Villa player, Grealish was involved in controversial moments, including a 2019 match where he lay injured during a disputed goal by Leeds’ Mateusz Klich, and a 2022 clash that saw Leeds’ Stuart Dallas suffer a career-ending injury after a tackle with Grealish. “Do you know what, people are going to think ‘oh he’s just saying that because he’s there’, but I’m not,” Grealish said of his move, emphasizing Moyes’ influence. “That was one of the reasons, probably the main reason why I wanted to come here.” His introduction as a 71st-minute substitute for Tim Iroegbunam sparked Everton’s best spell, with Grealish’s flair briefly threatening Leeds’ defense. Lucas Perri, a Leeds summer signing, denied Carlos Alcaraz’s powerful strike, and Jake O’Brien headed over from the resulting corner, but Grealish’s impact hinted at his potential to revive the form that made him a Villa icon.
Leeds, under Daniel Farke, capitalized on a controversial late penalty to secure the win. James Tarkowski’s handball, deemed harsh by many, allowed Lukas Nmecha, on the pitch for just six minutes, to slot past Jordan Pickford. “Nmecha stayed calm amid the furore,” observers noted, as the German international’s composure clinched three points for Leeds, who dominated the first half with 12 shots but struggled to test Pickford until the decisive moment. Everton’s lack of attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes frustrated Moyes, who had hoped his new-look squad, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s standout pre-season displays, would shine. “Grealish’s introduction coincided with Everton’s best spell of the game,” but it wasn’t enough to overturn Leeds’ resolute defending.
The match reignited tensions among Leeds fans, who haven’t forgotten Grealish’s past antics, including a provocative social media post after Villa’s 2021 win over Leeds. Social media buzzed with mixed sentiments, with some Everton fans optimistic about Grealish’s potential to reclaim his England spot for the 2026 World Cup, while others questioned Moyes’ cautious approach. “For Grealish, he’ll have space,” a Sky Sports pundit remarked. “He’ll get the ball and be able to attack players, commit them and take them on.” With Everton’s next match against Brighton at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 24, Grealish has a chance to start and prove his worth. As Leeds celebrated their return to the Premier League with a statement win, Grealish’s wait for a starring role only heightened the intrigue surrounding his Everton redemption arc.
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