Preston North End 0 – 3 Everton
Everton travel a short distance into Lancashire to take on Preston NE, who they beat in the fourth of their pre-season friendly games this afternoon at Deepdale, kick-off 3:00 pm.
Sean Dyche sees a degree of relief as key first-team players were plagued by injuries but James Tarkowski returns after suffering a glute issue, while social media is rife with claims that James Garner has done in a hamstring.
Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko also returns after hitting a setback in his recovery from ankle ligament damage suffered at the end of last season. Midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is also back in action having missed the past two games.
Nathan Patterson is still recovering from a hamstring issue he suffered at the start of April. The right-back required surgery and meant he missed representing Scotland at Euro 2024. Jordan Pickford is not due back for duty until next week as he enjoys a well-earned break after the goalkeeper’s heroics ensured England finished Euros runners-up for consecutive tournaments.
Youssef Chermiti was also absent against Coventry City. The striker had developed a foot issue and the club were awaiting the results of tests. Jesper Lindstrom signed from Napoli on a season-long loan last week. The forward has had a minor thigh problem so the Blues have been cautious.
Dele Alli continues his long path of recovery with Everton despite being out of contract, but is said to be nearing full training. New signing Jesper Lindstrøm starts while Jake O’Brien is on the bench.
Jarrad Branthwaite remains absent after having minor surgery last month to address a groin problem. Although he is recovering, it seems unlikely he will play any part in pre-season games, and is a doubt for Everton’s opening Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion on 17 August.
Everton ran out comfortable winners in the end, with new signings Lindstrøm and O’Brien adding goals in the second half after Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring from the penalty spot. The ball had been played over the top to him and Preson’s Lindsay brought him down with a slide challenge after 19 minutes.
The second goal was a while coming but it was a good one when Jake O’Brien was set up by Calvert-Lewin on the hour and he drilled a powerful shot home from 18 yards. Then, after 70 minutes, Jesper Lindstrøm expertly curled a free-kick over the Preston wall from 20 yards and into the back of the net.
Everton: Virginia, Young (76′ Dixon), Tarkowski (46′ O’Brien), Keane (46′ Holgate), Mykolenko (46′ Campbell), Gana (58′ Armstrong), Iroegbunam, Harrison (83′ Metcalfe), McNeil (71′ Ndiaye), Lindstrøm (71′ Maupay), Calvert-Lewin (71′ Beto)
Subs not Used: Crellin, Tyrer.
Attendance: 12,337