Everton ended their pre-season with defeat to Roma as the Hill Dickinson Stadium’s golden gates opened.
David Moyes should be content with the performance from Everton against Roma, as positive signs were shown despite the 1-0 loss.
The main attraction of the day was the new stadium on the Bramley-Moore Dock, as the 53,000-seater stadium had it’s first showing.
There were a few changes to the side as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had his debut, with Thierno Barry also getting his first start.
Moyes was disappointed with Beto, so it explains why he’s been dropped, but alongside four other things that were spotted, the Everton boss might be questioning his striker options.
Everton v AS Roma - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Thierno Barry must improve his composure for Everton
With a new era starting in the number nine position after Dominic Calvert-Lewin left the club, Barry has to step up.
The 22-year-old has impressed in training with Barry looking ‘very sharp’, but the Frenchman just couldn’t find his feet in front of goal.
Minutes played 60
Big chances missed 1
Duels won 6/13
Touches in opposition box 4
Dribble success % 33%
It seems like the six-foot-five forward is just regaining his sharpness, and his off-the-ball work was positive, but it’s clear that with the Premier League start around the corner, Moyes needs his new man to improve his composure.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looks like the real deal as he shines for Everton
Although Barry’s first start wasn’t glowing, Dewsbury-Hall put on a show during Hill Dickinson’s opener.
The 26-year-old was progressive in a number ten role for the Toffees, showing excellent ball-carrying skills, and he’s got a platform to shine at Everton after four chances created, which just needed the finishing touch.
After just 60 minutes, he showed what he’s set to bring to Moyes’ plans as Dewsbury-Hall certainly emulated Paul Scholes with that performance.
Adam Aznou must start Everton’s opener against Leeds United
With new faces getting their chances, Adam Aznou was another promising performance.
The 19-year-old, who signed for £7.8 million from Bayern Munich came on for Vitaliy Mykolenko, who suffered an injury, which could see him out for the Toffees’ visit to Leeds United.
After the Moroccan came on, he slotted in at left-back and looked very comfortable, stopping Roma attacks with Aznou continuing to impress for Everton.
Everton have a new corner taker in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
A glaring improvement that was needed from last season was the Toffees’ set-pieces, and Dewsbury-Hall has come in clutch again.
It’s clear that the midfielder was the one big positive from this game, as his corners were threatening, beating the man at the front post every time.
Moyes has been fuming with Everton’s set-pieces previously, so this might breathe a sigh of relief for the Scotsman, and the likes of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite must be licking their lips from corners.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is so important to Everton
Although the Toffees didn’t pick up a single win throughout pre-season, there were signs of success from this game.
But the one factor that should be glaringly obvious is Idrissa Gana Gueye’s importance to the squad, as Everton’s midfield would be ‘non-existent’ without Gueye, and it showed.
Minutes played 60
Pass accuracy % 94%
Tackles won % 50%
Defensive actions 6
As soon as the Senegalese star went off on the 60th-minute mark, you could see gaps in the middle of the park, and if the Scotsman loses Gueye at any point this season, Everton could be in real trouble.