Despite speculation that his job may be in jeopardy, U.S. national team goalie Tim Howard received support from Everton manager David Moyes after his error cost the Toffees the only goal in their 1-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers in their opening game of the English Premier League season.

In the 14th minute, Howard failed to hold on to a ball played into the area, allowing Nikola Kalinic to slide the ball home for what proved to be the winning goal. “The goal changed things," said Moyes. "It happens. It was costly, though, a deciding moment in the game. But Tim has been really good for us.”

During the offseason, Everton signed Slovakia World Cup goalie Jan Mucha from Polish club Legia Warsaw.