Everton player ratings as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and one more impress at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Yahoo

3 days ago

Everton played their inaugural first team fixture in front of fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium but Roma's Matias Soule spoiled the party on the Mersey waterfront by netting the only goal of the game.
The Blues lost left-back Vitalii Mykolenko to injury early on with summer recruit Adam Aznou coming on after 10 minutes to replace him but the teenager struggled and was caught out of position for what was the only goal of the contest, midway through the second half. Before that, Thierno Barry and Iliman Ndiaye had both had inviting chances to fire David Moyes' men in front, but both produced disappointing finishes.
Jordan Pickford 7
The England number one had to be at his best at key moments, including keeping out a shot from Neil El Aynaoui following a defensive scramble after Ndiaye's defensive lapse, although he couldn't get to Matias Soule's well-placed finish.
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Jake O'Brien 6
Playing in the right-back role, he had several decent forays forward and continues to look a handful in a coltish way, pushing up from wide.
Vitalii Mykolenko
Nightmare start for the left-back at Hill Dickinson Stadium as he was forced off injured after just 10 minutes, having pulled up making a challenge to concede a corner kick.
James Tarkowski 6
Captaining Everton on an historic day, he had to make some vital interceptions and looked solid on his first start on English soil since his hamstring injury against Manchester City in April but should have done better directing an early headed chance from a corner.
Jarrad Branthwaite 6
Was left isolated for Roma's goal but a generally assured display on his return having stayed back in England to work on his fitness while the rest of the squad went to the USA.
Idrissa Gueye 6
Solid showing ahead of a fourth season back at Everton, the veteran showed why he was worth a new deal, bossing the engine room.
James Garner 6
Continuing in his deeper role, he kept plugging away but it would be nice to see a bit more of his silk as well as steel.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 7
Only signed three days before this game, the debutant was Everton's standout performer of the first half, looking a threat going forward himself and feeding others with his quick feet.
Charly Alcaraz 5
Deployed on the Blues' 'problem position' of the right wing – given they have no natural options there – he tested Mile Svilar with a headed chance after the hosts had fallen behind, but while there were some nice touches, he was often on the fringe of proceedings.
Iliman Ndiaye 5
Went close to an equaliser with a stinging shot palmed away by Svilar, the hope is that he can excel on this big, open pitch, but at the other end he almost gifted Roma an opener with a wild back pass that played Pickford into trouble.
Thierno Barry 5
Making his first start since his £27million transfer from Villarreal, he got himself into some decent positions and worked hard but was guilty of fluffing his lines when a big chance came his way, scuffing his shot as the goal gaped.
Substitutes
Adam Aznou (on 10 for Mykolenko) 4
Tough debut for the young left-back as he was forced on early to replace the injured Mykolenko and was out of position for Roma's goal before making way for Coleman late on.
Beto (on 61 for Barry) 6
Put himself about in the final half an hour but couldn't work any openings.
Dwight McNeil (on 61 for Dewsbury-Hall) 5
Must know that he's now got a fight on his hands for a starting jersey, and while there were a few silky touches, he needs to show his manager he's worth a recall.
Tim Iroegbunam (on 61 for Gueye) 6
A half-hour run-out in a deeper role as he remains on the fringes of the squad.
Michael Keane (on 79 for Branthwaite)
Late cameo at centre-back.
Seamus Coleman (on 79 for Aznou)
Ditto, at left-back, where he made his Everton debut almost 16 years ago.
Youssef Chermiti (on 79 for Alcaraz)
Same again, but in a left-sided attacking role.