Everton match verdict from Joe Thomas following the 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Hamburg at Volksparkstadion
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action for Everton against Hamburg
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action for Everton against Hamburg
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Teen starlet Braiden Graham provided the decisive moment in a welcome win that showcased why Everton are pursuing Christian Norgaard. The Northern Ireland international pounced on a pass from Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes to Daniel Elfadli to create a stoppage time winner that lifted spirits in Germany.
The teenager read the situation well and stole the ball before watching his cross get diverted into his own goal by Jordan Torunarigha to give the visitors a 2-1 victory. It was a fortuitous winner to end a match in which Merlin Rohl and Thierno Barry again impressed. The pair combined late in the first half when Barry bundled his way through Hamburg challenges to penetrate deep into the box and back-heel the ball into the path of Rohl.
The 24-year-old took the pass in his stride and finished well to give his side the lead at the end of a scrappy half that saw Hamburg get too much joy down Everton’s right but fail to test Mark Travers.
The hosts then started the second half on the front foot and exposed weaknesses at the heart of Everton as they overwhelmed David Moyes’ team in the middle.
First, Travers produced a good save from Rayan Philippe’s testing effort. Substitute Patson Daka then turned Vitalii Mykolenko to shoot into the side netting and then beat Travers after Jarrad Branthwaite stepped up the pitch and the home side passed their way around him to provide the former Leicester City man with the chance to level in front of a vibrant Volksparkstadion crowd.
Rohl had a cross deflected onto the bar, but the Bundesliga side looked most likely to find a winner, with Tim Iroegbunam and James Tarkowski booked, as Everton were over-run in the centre of the pitch.
That struggle was a pertinent example of the fragility that has led Everton to explore the transfer market for a defensive midfielder. What was already a priority became a necessity amid Idrissa Gueye’s departure and the loss of James Garner, who was present to support his teammates on Saturday but is recovering from surgery on a groin issue.
Merlin Rohl scores for Everton against Hamburg
Merlin Rohl scores for Everton against Hamburg
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That search has led Everton to Norgaard, who made 20 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal last season following his move from Brentford. The ECHO understands a £7m deal for the Denmark international is close and Moyes will know the value the 32-year-old will bring to the side after the trouble caused by good opposition in northern Germany.
While Everton looked vulnerable at times, there were positives to take from the result and performance. Rohl, who started the game on the right wing before moving into midfield, continued his fine summer form while Barry was again an awkward opponent the Hamburg defence struggled to contain.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also had his best performance of pre-season, creating good chances in a busy display laced in frustration as he was repeatedly caught late. Branthwaite and Hayden Hackney earned significant minutes as they continued to build on their recoveries from the injuries that ended last season in frustration for both.
Everton’s win followed a 1-0 win for Everton Women earlier in the afternoon, with Ornella Vignola’s 20-yard strike the difference as Scott Phelan’s side overcame Hamburg Women with a comfortable win.
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