Everton Sliding Doors: The moments when it all could have changed

And so perhaps as a bit of final therapy before we can all move on to the summer, here’s some Sliding Doors moments that, had they gone differently, could have changed the outcome of Everton’s 2025-26 campaign. JACK GREALISH’S INJURY Everton’s first half of the season was impressive, and they went into the turn of the year having managed to navigate a lay-off for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the absences of Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye due to the Africa Cup of Nations. On 18 January, they beat Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to Thierno Barry’s cute finish.

Jack Grealish played the full game against his former club and, while he could not wield his usual creative influence, was vital in seeing out the win as he held on to possession and drew fouls. Grealish was back in the line-up after missing the Sunderland game in the FA Cup due to suspension and, with Ndiaye, Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite soon back available, the hope was Everton would be fully fit and firing. Alas, a couple of days later, it was confirmed Grealish had sustained a fractured foot, and it was soon pretty clear he would be out for the season.

He had registered six assists and two goals in 20 league appearances, and he has been sorely missed. THE DREADFUL START AT BRENTFORD Despite Grealish’s absence, Everton came out of the winter and early spring in great spirits. They had picked up valuable victories at Fulham and Newcastle United, and beaten Burnley at home, before thrashing Chelsea.

They had lost to Manchester United and Arsenal, but there were positives to take from the latter display. Yet a 3-week break ahead of a decisive run of fixtures against Brentford and Liverpool seemed to do the world of bad for Everton, and their first two minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium were a sign of things to come. The defence switched off and Jordan Pickford, who had been in stellar form, gave away a careless penalty, which was dispatched by Igor Thiago.