Everton player ratings after the first pre-season friendly of the summer at Accrington Stanley
ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005. He cut his teeth in professional sports journalism at the Ellesmere Port Pioneer and then the Welsh edition of the Daily Post, where he also covered Manchester United. Prior to that he worked on the student newspaper Pluto at the University of Central Lancashire, a role in which he first encountered David Moyes. Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: "Is that your dad's suit you've got on?" while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
Everton drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium in the Toffees' first pre-season outing of the summer. Ben Ward opened the scoring for the hosts before Beto equalised from the penalty spot late in the game.
David Moyes started with an experienced line-up but introduced a number of young players throughout the game as Everton stepped up their pre-season preparations. They next face Blackburn Rovers before jetting to the USA for the pre-season tour.
Here's how the ECHO rated the players:
Harry Tyrer
Was called into action early on to keep out a speculative header from Josh Woods and also made a smart move save from low Conor Grant shot, but will be disappointed with how his defenders failed to deal with Ben Ward at the back post for the goal.
Nathan Patterson
In the spotlight to show there can still be a future for him at Everton, he overlapped well to get on the end of an early opportunity but blazed his shot wide before switching to left-back after the break.
Vitalii Mykolenko
Got forward on several occasions and produced some decent crosses, although manager David Moyes could be heard giving him instructions to tuck in at one point.
Michael Keane
Solid outing, showing his class to swat away Charlie Caton twice in one move that showed why a new one-year deal to provide centre-back cover for what will be a ninth season at Everton looks smart business.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Led the team out as captain in his first game since signing a new five-year deal and despite being caught by a heavy challenge from Charlie Caton, he produced an assured 45-minute showing before making way at the interval.
James Garner
With no Idrissa Gueye here, he was the senior partner in the engine room in the first half and kept things ticking over with a solid first half showing.
Tim Iroegbunam
Produced some eye-catching glimpses of promise with his probing runs.
Harrison Armstrong
Having returned from an encouraging loan spell at Derby County, the teenager, operating in a more advanced attacking midfield position in the first half and then deeper after the break, was Everton’s most polished performer and saw a curling shot turned around the post by Ollie Wright.
Charly Alcaraz
Playing his first game since turning a loan move into a permanent switch, the Argentinian midfielder showed a few silky touches and carried the ball well.
Dwight McNeil
Saw a curling shot palmed away by sub keeper Michael Kelly and looked a creative force throughout.
Youssef Chermiti
Went close twice in the first half as he had a header tipped over from Iroegbunam’s cross before having a shot deflected wide from Harrison’s low left wing delivery.
Substitutes
William Tamen (on 46 for Mykolenko)
Useful second half outing at right-back from the youngster.
Jake O’Brien (on 46 for Branthwaite)
Cleared an effort off the line to deny Anjola Popoola.
Beto (on 46 for Garner)
Fired a low shot straight at Kelly but earned a share of the spoils by emphatically despatching the penalty equaliser.
Isaac Heath (on 62 for Alcaraz)
Encouraging cameo down the left and won the penalty to salvage a share of the spoils.
Justin Clarke (on 62 for Chermiti)
Important minutes for the youngster who looked bright down the right wing.