Everton lost 1-0 at Stoke City on Tuesday night, beaten by a stoppage-time goal at the bet365 Stadium.
Gabriel Kelly struck the winner deep into second-half added time against an Everton side that had grown into the game after a slow start.
Moyes fielded a mix of first-teamers, fringe players and those working themselves back from injury.
As disappointed as Evertonians were by the result, results aren’t the point… yet. Sharpness is. Which clearly means there’s plenty of work still to be done.
Tyrique George forced an early save from distance. Stoke responded, denied a one-on-one through Sam Gallagher by Mark Travers, and later found space in behind James Tarkowski as Everton’s shape became stretched.
Jarrad Branthwaite wasn’t involved. He’s still mid-reintegration after last season’s hamstring injury, played 45 minutes at Bolton on Saturday, and is back in full training at Finch Farm this week. Saturday’s friendly against Hamburger SV in Germany is next on his schedule.
So, a win, a draw and a defeat in their opening three friendlies, and from hereon in the intensity and tempo will step up.
Everton travel to Germany now for a training camp with the Hamburger SV friendly on Saturday (Aug 1) followed by another in Stuttgart one week later (Aug 8).
