Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Sat 11 April 2026 18:40, UK

Everton’s odd kick-off routine of kicking the ball long has left former Premier League defender Damien Delaney surprised.

The Blues kept their European hopes alive through a late Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall equaliser against Brentford on Saturday, as David Moyes’ side battled to a 2-2 draw.

As Everton manager, the Scotsman will try to do what it takes to win, and that includes utilising surprise tactics and making tweaks to his lineup.

On this occasion, Michael Keane felt the brunt of the latter being dropped for Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, on the tactical side, questions were asked of Moyes at half-time of Everton’s draw against Brentford.

What did Damien Delaney say about Everton’s kick-off strategy?

As Everton went to take kick-off against Brentford, Moyes’ side opted to use quite an odd tactic – albeit one that is now becoming more familiar.

Instead of keeping possession, the Blues looked to push the ball far up the pitch by kicking it long into the Brentford defence.

It was a decision that did not really provide much advantage, leading Delaney to question Everton.

Speaking on Premier Sports’ coverage of Everton’s trip to Brentford, the former defender was left in shock over what he saw from the Toffees.

The former Republic of Ireland international went on to try to understand but simply could not, comparing it to rugby.

He said: “I supposed it is a logical progression; if you are playing for territory, you may as well go down the route of rugby, to give your players time to get up and pin them in, but it has just gone too far.”

However, it was not just the L3 outfit that were attempting the same tactic, as Delaney felt it was “not a coincidence” that both sides tried the same kick-off routine.

Brentford were seemingly also instructed to attempt an identical approach to restarting the game.

Everton would be better trying to hold onto possession

There are likely merits that the Everton coaching staff have seen about this odd tactic, but on the surface, and from looking on the outside, those are not clear.

In truth, from a fan’s perspective, it does seem slightly gimmicky, and keeping the ball and progressing it up the pitch may be a better way forward. Everton did not get much out of this tactic in London.

Nonetheless, after the late scenes at the Gtech Community Stadium, it will be the Toffees who come away with a better feeling about the match.

The travelling supporters will likely not care too much about how the Blues went about their kick-off routines on this occasion, as Dewsbury-Hall helped keep Everton in the European race.

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