Salford City 2 – 1 Everton
Everton players got a decent run-out in their second pre-season game this afternoon against Salford City but could not stop the home side edging a narrow win at the Peninsula Stadium.
Everton are without several senior players for the game against the League Two side. Centre-back duo Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski continue to be missing because of injuries, as well as Nathan Patterson and Vitalli Mykolenko after the full-back pair suffered issues towards the end of last season. , Idrissa Gana Gueye also has a knock, while Tarkowski has travelled with the squad to the Peninsula Stadium but continues to struggle with a glute complaint.
Dele Alli, who is training with Everton to regain fitness despite his contract expiring in June, is seemingly still not ready for match action, assuming Everton have retained his registration. Dyche uncharacteristically goes for two up front with his main goal threats, Clavert-Lewin and Beto pairing up. And there is a slew of youngsters from the Under-21s on the bench.
James Garner scored from a free-kick on 50 minutes. But Everton bundled the ball into their own net after Campbell’s header hit the post and bounced along the line behind Tyrer before Campbell’s attempted clearance hit the other post and went in. And the home side scored again 3 minutes from the end.
Everton: Virginia (60′ Tyrer), Coleman (46′ Dixon), Keane (60′ Welch), Holgate (60′ Onyango), Young (46′ Campbell), Garner (73′ Metcalfe), Doucoure (60′ Iroegbunam), Harrison (60′ Armstrong), McNeil (60′ Okoronkwo), Calvert-Lewin (60′ Maupay), Beto (46′ Chermiti).
Subs not Used: Whitaker