The 2025-26 Premier League season is already delivering drama, both on and off the pitch. As Everton prepare to inaugurate their brand new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Nottingham Forest find themselves engulfed in turmoil.
All eyes will be on Merseyside as Everton finally open the doors to their state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium for their match against Brighton. After playing at Goodison Park for 133 years, this marks the dawn of a new era for the Toffees. The 52,769-capacity stadium at Bramley Moore Dock is not just a new ground, but a potential catalyst for change in the surrounding area. Initial test events have identified areas for improvement, such as reducing queues and ensuring adequate food and drink supplies. Off the field, Everton recently landed a new deal, setting the stage for breaking records after reaching a £50 million benchmark. Ahead of the opener, fans have been spotted sporting retro jerseys, adding to the sense of occasion.
However, manager David Moyes has urged caution, emphasizing that building a successful team within the new stadium is the immediate priority. Safety certificates have been obtained after three test events. The club had to remove seats to accommodate TV cameras and install barriers between home and away fans.
Meanwhile, at Nottingham Forest, the atmosphere is far less celebratory. Reports suggest a significant rift between manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the club's global head of football, Edu, is causing major disruption. This internal conflict has reportedly extended to owner Evangelos Marinakis, with Santo admitting that their relationship has "changed" and is "not as close" as it once was. Despite guiding Forest to a seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification last season, Santo's position appears to be under threat.
The situation has become so precarious that some bookmakers have Santo as the favorite to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season. Speculation is rife about potential replacements, with names like Jose Mourinho and Ange Postecoglou being mentioned. Santo himself has described the Forest squad as "unbalanced," further fueling concerns about the club's stability. Despite the off-field issues, Nuno is expected to be in charge for their match against Crystal Palace.
In other Premier League news, Tottenham Hotspur continued their impressive start under new boss Thomas Frank with a 2-0 victory over Manchester City. Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. However, the Gunners have injury concerns after Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were forced off during their 5-0 thrashing of Leeds. Brentford's new signing, Dango Ouattara, scored the winner on his debut against Aston Villa. Burnley secured a 2-0 win against Sunderland, marking a successful return to the Premier League.
