Analysis from Everton's 1-0 defeat to Stoke City on Tuesday evening in their third pre-season friendly of the summer
Hayden Hackney in action for Everton at Stoke
Hayden Hackney in action for Everton at Stoke
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Everton fell to defeat at Stoke City on a frustrating night in the Midlands.
The Blues were undone by Gabriel Kelly’s fine second half strike and, while Jake O’Brien headed against the crossbar in the closing minutes, it was the hosts who came closest to a second goal of the match with Everton relying on good saves from both of their goalkeepers, Mark Travers and Tom King.
Following the third friendly of pre-season, Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas - the only journalist to have attended all three - takes a look at some of the key points he took from the Bet365 Stadium.
Hayden Hackney produced a positive display
Like Jarrad Branthwaite at Bolton, Hayden Hackney only played 45 minutes as the club approaches his recovery from injury with care. Like Branthwaite, Hackney provided a glimpse of the positive impact he could have on this team.
The 24-year-old sought the ball, constantly making himself available for his teammates, and was adept at carrying it forward. The most pleasing part of his performance was his first-time forward passes to help Everton move the ball with intent. He repeatedly ignored the easy ball to try and break through the lines of Stoke defence - something Everton have been missing.
Tyrique George senses an opportunity
Few Everton players had a genuinely good night but George was one of them. The 20-year-old stands to benefit most if Iliman Ndiaye departs this summer and played as though he was trying to prove himself to Moyes.
George drove at opposition players, beating Ben Wilmot with ease. He took on long distance efforts, cut inside to find space and produced a good cross from the left. He appears to be growing in confidence.
Why does Beto keep turning back?
George was involved in the creation of a great opportunity for Beto at the end of the first half, timing a ball with perfection to slip him through on goal. Beto had a defender with him and work to do but, as he did in similar situations at Dundee and Bolton, opted to check back rather than run on goal. In doing so on this occasion he lost his balance and the ball, prompting jeers from the home end.
Moyes wants more going forward from full-back
Merlin Rohl is naturally more comfortable going forward than Jake O’Brien, so it has been tough to read too much into his forays into the final third from right back. On Tuesday night, Vitalii Mykolenko started his first match of pre-season and he clearly had instructions to push up the pitch and help the attacking players in front of him. He was not always the most effective but, given he is more comfortable with the defensive side of his job, his new-found attacking intent suggests Moyes is aware he needs more from his full-backs.
Manager applauds the supporters
Moyes is yet to speak publicly to either the media or Everton’s in-house media team since the return from pre-season. He did, however, make a beeline for the away end when he emerged from the tunnel before the match, applauding the travelling support in a show of appreciation.
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Manchester City star Jack Grealish
Manchester City star Jack Grealish