Everton player ratings from Joe Thomas following the 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Hamburg at Volksparkstadion
Merlin Rohl scores for Everton against Hamburg
Merlin Rohl scores for Everton against Hamburg
View Image
Braiden Graham produced the decisive moment as he cut out a pass from goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes to Daniel Elfadli and created Everton’s stoppage time winner.
The teenager read the situation and pounced before watching his cross get diverted into his own goal by Hamburg’s Jordan Torunarigha.
It gave Everton a welcome late win in a game that appeared set to end all square after goals from Merlin Rohl and Patson Daka. Here is how Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas viewed the performance.
Mark Travers (Of, 80) 7
Had to be alert at the start of the second half to save well from a snapshot from Rayan Philippe and was grateful Hamburg’s finishing was poor in the first half, when they got in down Everton’s right on multiple occasions. Has been steady in pre-season amid the absence of Jordan Pickford.
Vitalii Mykolenko (Off, 80) 6
Did well to read a run through the middle from Bakery Jatta that would have left him through on goal had it not been for the left back moving across to cover. Spun by Patson Daka early in the second half and would have been relieved to see the effort hit the side netting. Was unable to get across in time to stop Daka seconds later after Branthwaite had stepped up.
Jarrad Branthwaite (off, 70) 6
Missed good chances in both halves and stepped up early, allowing Hamburg to exploit the space he vacated, for Daka’s equaliser. A huge positive that he is growing in fitness though.
James Tarkowski 6
Booked in the second half after losing the ball on halfway to Philippe, allowing a dangerous attack to brew - one that only ended when he made up ground to haul back the Hamburg player. Hosts did not punish him from the resulting free-kick but it was a clumsy moment from the captain.
Jake O’Brien (Off, 90) 6
No-one needs Everton to sign a right back more than Jake O’Brien. He has excelled at centre back, his best position, and battled admirably out of position for most of the past 20 months. But it feels like he now needs a chance in his natural role. Very good in the air but Hamburg had a lot of joy down the Everton right in the first half and was lucky in the second when his header back to Travers was almost cut out by Daka.
Tyrique George (Off, 70) 6
Trying really hard to step up in the absence of Iliman Ndiaye and it is clear he has quality. Displayed some lovely footwork to dance past players but wasn’t quite able to then produce in the final third.
Hayden Hackney (Off, 70) 6
Did well to get in front of Louis Lemke when he was about to shoot when the ball was cut back to him inside the box. Was frustrated by the movement around him at times and needed more help in the middle.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Off, 90) 7
A bustling performance as he tried hard to force events for Everton. Buzzed up and down the pitch but was a frustrated figure as Hamburg players crowded him out and repeatedly caught him late. His pre-season has not quite taken off yet but it feels like he is carrying a lot of the attacking burden in this side. Played a brilliant ball across the face of goal in the 70th minute but Barry opted not to commit for what would have been a tap-in and was later clattered for playing a brave through ball after good link up play with Barry that was always going to see him caught late.
Tim Iroegbunam (Off, 70) 5
A bit of everything as he started his fourth consecutive game in the middle. Warned early by referee Harm Osmers and then booked later in the half for halting a Hamburg attack in its infancy. Skipped past two players and laid off nicely to Rohl in a move that showcased his ability to turn defence into attack. Would have been sent off on the hour for a cynical foul on the halfway line had this been a competitive game.
Merlin Rohl 8
A nice touch and a great finish to open the scoring on his return to Germany. A willing runner happy to chase balls down the right with his pace and capable of putting useful crosses in - forcing Warmed Omari to divert against the bar in the second half. Questions remain about whether the wing is his best position but he continues to provide a threat despite that. Later moved into the middle after a spate of subs. Having a good pre-season.
Thierno Barry (Off, 80) 8
An enigma. A critic would say his assist for Rohl’s goal came from a poor touch that prevented him going through on goal alone but, even if that was the case, he kept his composure to provide a neat back heel into the path of his teammate. He started the move by hustling defenders into losing the ball, too. Failed to commit to a Dewsbury-Hall cross that would have given him a tap in and then miss-controlled a ball over the top to lose a good chance only to recover, turn his man and force Heuer Fernandes into a good save. Not always convincing but is working hard and having an impact on games.
Substitutes
Michael Keane (On, 70) 6
Was steady and did well in the air.
Tyler Dibling (On, 70) 6
Entered the game on the right but tucked in in what was clearly a planned decision. Did not have much chance to run at the opposition but chased down defenders and will hopefully benefit from heightened exposure to the first team after a tough season.
Harrison Armstong (On, 70) 6
Intelligent play helped Everton turn defence into attack using his composure then his ability to spot the right pass, to send Aznou free down the left.
Carlos Alcaraz (On, 70) 7
Immediately added some urgency and intensity to Everton’s attack in his best contribution of pre-season so far, coming on the left of the midfield.
Tom King (On, 80) N/A
Adam Aznou (On, 80) N/A
Beto (On, 80) N/A
Braiden Graham (On, 90) N/A
Nathan Patterson (On, 90) N/A