Yes, we’re aware Hamburg was Saturday. Yes, every other Everton outlet has had their ratings up since about 9pm that night.
In my defence, the kids wanted to see Spider-Man and sometimes, occasionally things take priority over transfer gossip. Better late than never — here’s what we made of it.
It wasn’t the most convincing display going forward, but two names stood out — and one, in particular, struggled.
Merlin Rohl (8/10) was the pick of the bunch, converting a slightly behind-him Thierno Barry backheel with real composure to open the scoring. His delivery from wide continues to look like a genuine asset for Moyes this season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (8/10) was the other standout, the only attacking player to look genuinely threatening from kickoff. On this evidence, he’s shaping up as Everton’s most important player heading into the campaign proper.
At the other end of the scale, Tim Iroegbunam (4/10) endured a torrid afternoon, picking up a first-half yellow card and living dangerously for the rest of it without seeing a second. It’s a rough way to close out a window in which Hull City are reportedly circling for his signature.
Elsewhere, Jake O’Brien (7) impressed at right-back and created the best chance of the first half, while Thierno Barry (7) was quiet before setting up Rohl’s opener. Vitalii Mykolenko (5) and Tyrique George (5) both struggled to make an impact.
The winner came via a Braiden Graham cross turned into his own net by Jordan Torunarigha, sealing victory late on.
Attention now turns to the final stretch of preparation – next up a game vs Stuttgart – before Everton’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.
