Everton host Chelsea in early kick-off at Hill Dickinson
Everton hosted Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium to open the Premier League weekend on Saturday, 17 October 2026. Kick-off was at 12.30pm BST in Liverpool, the first game of its Gameweek Premier League.
David Moyes made two changes to his Everton side. Merlin Röhl and Vitalii Mykolenko came in. Michael Keane and Brennan Johnson dropped out.
The starting XI read Pickford, Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Armstrong, Röhl, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish and Barry The Guardian. That gave Everton a blend of steel at the back and craft further forward, with Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall supporting Thierno Barry in attack.
Chelsea made one change. Jorrel Hato replaced Pep Chavarría in the line-up.
Their starting XI was Martinez, Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Pedro Neto, Henderson, Caicedo, Hato, Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro The Guardian. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro led a mobile front line, with Moises Caicedo anchoring midfield.
Paul Tierney was the referee. Nicholas Hopton was on VAR, the video assistant who reviews big decisions such as goals, penalties and red cards.
Form pointed in different directions. Everton arrived after a 2-2 draw with Hull City. Chelsea arrived after a 5-1 win over Bournemouth, although they had lost 3-0 at Brentford in the game before that.
There had been late questions over Everton's defence. The club had flagged that Mykolenko could return, while Jarrad Branthwaite faced a late fitness test ahead of the match Everton FC. Both were named in the starting side. Moyes had previewed the game at his press conference on 16 October.
For supporters watching from home, the match was scheduled for TNT Sports Premier League. An early Saturday slot. A new stadium on the Mersey. Plenty of noise.
What makes this stand out is the setting as much as the sides. Hill Dickinson Stadium is Everton's new home, and lunchtime openers like this set the tone for the whole weekend. Chelsea brought goals. Everton brought a full house. The rest was down to ninety minutes.
