Joe Thomas reports after Everton started their pre-season preparations with a 4-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park
Everton's Harvey Foster celebrates after he scored his side's third goal during the pre-season win at Dundee(Image: Malcolm Mackenzie/PA Wire)
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Everton punished a series of errors from Dundee substitute goalkeeper Harry Sharp to start their pre-season with a flourish.
Goals from Thierno Barry, Harvey Foster and Dwight McNeil built on a first-half lead provided by Beto to kickstart the Blues’ summer with a 4-0.
The scale of victory owed much to the errors of Sharp, who directly contributed to each of the second-half efforts. But there was still plenty for David Moyes to be satisfied by from a win in the sunshine at Dens Park - not least the performance of Tyler Dibling.
Finch Farm prospect Harvey Foster produced the highlight of a second period that saw both teams make a host of substitutions. The midfielder cut out a Sharp pass and rifled in a first-time finish from 25 yards out to make it 3-0.
His contribution was celebrated by his team-mates and the away end and added the gloss to a competent performance from a host of under-21s talents who played the final 30 minutes.
Other notable contributions came from right-back George Finney, who spent last season on loan at Ayr and provided several dangerous crosses - the first of which was almost met by the run of teen starlet and fellow substitute Braiden Graham.
Centre-back Will Tamen made a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Dundee a consolation while Malik Olayiwola who, like Graham made Moyes’ bench last season, kept his composure to work with Carlos Alcaraz to tee up McNeil for a simple fourth goal after another error from Sharp.
Before a raft of changes midway through the second half, half-time substitute Barry had taken this game away from the hosts by charging down Sharp and watching the ball loop off his body and over the line.
The scoreline flattered Everton but Moyes will take pleasure from a win over a team whose season is already underway. The Scottish Premiership outfit had already played five friendlies and two cup games before this encounter, watched by almost 4,400 fans on the Firth of Tay.
Positives included the display of Dibling, who grew into the game after a slow start. By the beginning of the second half he was driving at defenders and showing a willingness to cross and shoot when the opportunity presented itself.
Harrison Armstrong was composed in the middle while Jake O’Brien was dominant in his preferred position of centre-back and Tyrique George and Adam Aznou provided a threat down the left.
The Blues led at the break courtesy of Beto’s deflected effort just before half-time. An even first half had seen Mark Travers save from Charlie Reilly and Beto prevented by a last-gasp challenge from Owen Bevan just as he was about to finish from a lovely through-ball from Armstrong.
The forward then tested Kieran O’Hara from the edge of the box after latching on to an intelligent pass from Dibling and cutting onto his left foot. The breakthrough came moments later, though, with the deflection from Aaron Donnelly leaving O’Hara with little chance.
There had been positive glimpses before the opening goal from Everton. Aznou provided an attacking threat from left back while, in front of him, summer signing George showed the confidence to drive at the Dundee defence.
Dibling had taken time to grow into the game, protecting possession well but rarely showing willingness to test left back Idris Odutayo. His clever pass to Beto just before the opening goal was the catalyst for a late flourish though, one that saw him win a corner after attempting to beat two home players down the right.
He carried that momentum into the second half before coming off after the Blues had taken control of the match through Barry’s goal.