Everton player ratings vs Newcastle: two names out after the win at Murrayfield
Everton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle at Murrayfield last night was about as convincing as any pre-season fixture can be, and there were some good individual performances to back it up.
Here’s how we rate the Everton XI and subs from Edinburgh.
David Moyes set his side up in a 4-2-3-1: Travers in goal, Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane and Mykolenko across the back four, Dewsbury-Hall and Hackney screening, with Ndiaye, Armstrong and George behind Barry.
Barry’s early finish and Ndiaye’s penalty had the game more or less settled by half-time, and George’s second-half strike put the gloss on it before Harvey Barnes claimed a consolation for the Toon.
1. Tyrique George — 9
George’s finish for the third goal capped a night where he looked a constant threat down the left, cutting inside and causing problems throughout. The standout performer on the pitch by some distance.
2. Harrison Armstrong — 9
Two assists and a string of good decisions in the final third. His delivery set up Barry’s opener, and his pass sent George through for the third. It caps a strong summer that should have him firmly in the mix for the Palace opener.
3. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — 8
Looked a class act again through the middle, wanting the ball at every turn and covering every blade of grass. He also won the penalty for Ndiaye’s goal.
4. Iliman Ndiaye — 8
A penalty converted with confidence, and a difficult night given to Lewis Hall down that side. Ndiaye looks sharp given all the noise that has surrounded him. Looked hungry.
5. Thierno Barry — 8
A low, driven finish after being sent through by Armstrong, and a real outlet for Everton throughout. A clear improvement on his outing against Stuttgart at the weekend.
6. Mark Travers — 7
Did his job with minimal fuss, making the saves he needed to make and helping reset Everton’s shape from the back when required.
7. James Tarkowski — 7
Solid at the back, and, typically, the man who calmed things down with a quiet word to Yoane Wissa after a kick on George.
8. Michael Keane — 7
A tidy, error-free evening alongside Tarkowski, doing little wrong across the 90 minutes.
9. Nathan Patterson — 7
A fine cross for Dewsbury-Hall was the highlight before he came off early in the second half — one to monitor given his recent injury history.
10. Hayden Hackney — 7
A solid if unspectacular first appearance since his summer move, doing the disciplined side of the job in midfield.
11. Vitaliy Mykolenko — 6
A shaky start that improved as the game went on, before he was withdrawn.
Substitutes
Merlin Rohl (on for Nathan Patterson, 53′) — 5
An outlier on an otherwise positive night. Rohl was the man who failed to track Harvey Barnes for Newcastle’s goal, and it continues the case for Everton needing cover at right-back before the season starts.
Beto (on for Thierno Barry, 64′) — 6
A solid cameo up front, holding the ball up well in a game that was already put to bed by the time he arrived.
Charly Alcaraz (on for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 64′) — 6
Composed on the ball in the middle of the park and helped Everton see out the closing stages.
Tyler Dibling (on for Iliman Ndiaye, 64′) — 6
Didn’t get quite long enough to leave a real mark, but looked sharp and confident on the ball.
Adam Aznou (on for Vitalii Mykolenko, 74′) — 6
Settled quickly into a game that was already tilted in Everton’s favour, and gave nothing away defdensively.
Jake O’Brien (on for Michael Keane, 82′) — 6
An untroubled half spell Tarkowski as the visitors struggled to lay a glove on Everton’s back line.
Harvey Foster (on for Hayden Hackney, 83′) — 6
Given the closing stages to close the game out, and did exactly that without fuss.
But… it was only a friendly, and ratings drawn from a pre-season workout should be seen as a form guide rather than anything else. But between George and Armstrong, Moyes now has two genuine selection dilemmas with just the visit of Lille between the visit of Crystal Palace on opening day.
Read the full match report from Murrayfield here.
Gary is editor for ReadEverton. He has many years experience of sports writing behind him after deciding (belatedly) that the world of accountancy wasn't for him. His work has been featured on (among many others) BBC Sport and The Metro. He has written on many sports, but considers himself an expert in football and F1. When not writing and editing he likes to go to the cinema and sip a lovely cold pint of Guinness (not always at the same time).
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