Youngsters shine in comfortable friendly win over Preston

Injured, eh? Hope not...

Subs: Hansen, Baningime, Bolasie, Adeniran, John, Simms

Gibson did well in training and is No 4 centre-back now?

Or Gibson in shop window for scouts for a loan?

The last time both Everton and Liverpool played competitive home games on the same day - courtesy of stats guru and regular guest on the Royal Blue podcast Gavin Buckland - was on 3rd January 1981 in the third round of the FA Cup.

Everton defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Goodison in front of 34,000 while a gate of 37,000 saw Liverpool beat non-league Altrincham 4-1 at Anfield.

The two teams were then drawn together in the fourth round with Everton winning 2-1.

As for Everton and Liverpool both playing a home league game at the same time, David Prentice reveals you have to go back to 1894 for that!

I seem to be having better luck with the live match day stream today on the club site today Dave, unlike the Blackpool game.

Nice pitch view of the sprinklers at work and the electronic advertising boards going through the motions.

Here's hoping it doesn't freeze on me when the action starts.

Had his injuries and doubters, but still think this lad has a bright future, Emergance of Branthswaite has made it harder for Gibson, but no doubting this lad has a calming influence in defence.

Big fan of Gibson, and hope he shows the quality he is capable of.

When you've got time, check out this article.

Bradykinin & CV-19.

Could be very informative for you.

Whine stopped now

No it’s all gone now

I’m going out to be honest but trying to get it on for my great grandson, I’ll have to leave it with him, I hope his patience doesn’t run out, because he goes off on one, now and again!!!

Oh we’re 1 0 up Kenny the scorer the clubs told me

Looks promising at the moment.

Holgate off with a nasty twisted ankle, of his own making. Kyle John on.

Sorry! Just switched on.

Finally got connected after about 10 attempts and an email.

Just type in Everton v Preston and look for the 4th box down, been alright for me first half.

Will the club refund the poor buggers who paid for this ‘'Service'?

This is just embarrassing.

Steve G. That is bizarre!

As for the game, Harry Tyrer looks good. I like the calm manner he receives a back pass and with one touch, two at most, he plays an unpressured ball out to put us on the offensive again.

Pity about the injury to Holgate which means Kenny has moved inside to centre-back with Kyle John going to right-back. Before that, both full-backs Nkounkou and Kenny were bombing up the line - as evidenced by Kenny's goal. Nkounkou in particular was putting in some delicious crosses.

Holgate not 100% on it, but Gibson looks good, both defending and on the ball. Sigurdsson done okay. Gordon and Bernard less so. Richarlison the best of our forwards, Walcott and Calvert-Lewin again just 'okay'.

Most of these are going to have to play the full 90 minutes, looking at the bare-bones bench.

I am starting to feel better now.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner been trying to get this damn match on.

Eventually came on with no sound, then the players shouting to each other, then a short burst of commentary then the players again and eventually half time which is showing no problem. I missed the first 30 minutes. I don't know why Everton can't get this right!!

Now enjoying 1st-half highlights. Can't help myself getting excited by Nkounkou.

Just hope he keeps his head, cause he could/should be massive for us.

Enjoyed that one.

It looks like Holgate's injury was not too bad by the fact he walked off without much of a limp. Kenny did well at both right-back and centre-back. He's doing enough for me to stake a claim for a spot in the squad. Gibson looks good, and I hope he's still in the squad for the season, although I'd prefer to sign a quality pacy centre-half (and sell Michael Keane).

The midfield was curious. All attacking players: Bernard, Sigurdsson, Gordon and Walcott. Not a good indictment for Baningime or Adeniran. Gordon was hit and miss. Gylfi refused to play for Iceland to fight for his spot in the side. Walcott was very involved, but lacked the finishing touch. Bernard was quiet first half and our best player in the second

Richarlison was a clear man of the match and dangerous throughout. He scored a goal that was ruled out because of Walcott titting about, but it was a good goal in my book and should give him confidence. Calvert-Lewin scored a scrappy one, had another ruled out and missed a great header. He also could have scored another great header but Walcott got in his way.

Bolasie came on and was all action. Same as last time, the guy is giving it his all to win his spot back. He is back to being Bolasie. No lingering injury issues. Is he good enough? Probably not. But if we can't sell him, and we can't afford to get a top-class winger in, then he's an option off the bench at least.

His miss needs to be seen to be believed. But he had some great touches and showed he's got his pace back and the tricks are still there.

A decent run out, considering a lot of the team are unlikely to feature next weekend.

A final word on Harry Tyrer. He didn't put a glove wrong. His distribution was great and when we needed him, just before half time and midway in the second half, he pulled off saves Pickford would have been proud of.

I hope his sister comes on here and tells us all about it. Top man. He'll remember this and he'll grow from it.

He opted out of playing the two Nation League games to focus on Everton. Iceland's manager was seething.

I would not be surprised to see a starting XI like:

Pickford
Kenny Keane Mina (Holgate injured?) Digne
Davies Gomes Delph Bernard
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Lössl, Gibson, Nkounkou, Bolasie, Gordon, Allan, Doucouré, Kean.

Harry Tyer certainly enhanced his reputation. He has always impressed playing for the junior teams. He looked very much at home with the first team today.

Nice touch to sub him at the death. He sat down with a huge smile on his face. He knows he played well.

Nkounkou looks good. When he gets on the ball he has one thought on his mind. Forward. It reminds me of the Steve McManaman story when he first played for Real Madrid with the flying full-back Michael Salgado behind him.

Stevie Mc recalls how Salgado's first words to him on the pitch as he flew past him were 'Cover me!' Nkounkou looks like he is cut from the same cloth.

I thought PNE might put more pressure on the centre of our defence when Kenny moved inside to cover for the injured Holgate, but we dealt with them comfortably. Gibson also had a game to be proud of. Resolute. Clean in his tackling. Quick recovery. Excellent distribution. Not shy to tell players where he wants them to move to when on the ball. Kyle John also came into his own in the 2nd half.

The midfield showed why we can't start the new season with the same as last. Sigurdsso was okay. Gordon looked off it, playing possibly unusually deep for him. Bernard got better in the second half. But we clearly need more thrust, energy and speed in the engine room of the team.

Richarlison's return was impressive. Calvert-Lewin more mixed. Walcott similar. Bolasie actually did quite well on his return, albeit proving to be PNE's best defender in his goal line miss then blocking Simms's follow up shot! He also seems to have bulked up a fair bit.

Most of the positives then come from the younger players who are going to be helped – either in-game if they play, or to buy them time – by the more experienced players coming in.

We'll be fine.

I think you might be right – Bolasie could be a useful impact player and we ain't going to get any decent fee for him.

The miss was a joke and I'm sure he then blocked Ellis Simms's shot on the line as he rolled over but he did look like a bundle of energy and is clearly keen to impress.

He reminds me a bit of Amokachi.

Did he really tell Iceland he wasn't available?

If we land all our claimed targets, no-one's place in midfield is guaranteed. Such competition has got to be good for us.

Loans are best for players who have learnt all they need to, but are unlikely to get into the first team. It should be the realm of players 21 and over.

Just read Cadamateri's comments about how he got into the first team and was playing too much football to finish his development.

Hopefully Doucouré and James on the way, and along with Gomes and Allan, it's hard to see Sigurdsson starting. An expensive squad player?

The opting out of the Iceland games I think tells us something about Sigurdsson. He wouldn't have taken that decision lightly. I think he has had a bit of burnout last season mental or physical, maybe a bit of both.

The decision seems like he is trying to manage himself better to try to get back to his best.

Considering he is contracted for another 5 years, a loan for Gordon could be an option.

Nkounkou has stood out at left-back in both friendly matches. Great pace, good athleticism and can pass and cross. That's what I heard about him previously. It's just his positional sense and defending to work on.

Holgate injured himself because I don't think he was properly concentrating. He needs to regain fitness and focus for the entire match. Hope he's back soon.

With more and better chances created I think Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin can improve on last seasons goal returns. Neither are natural finishers / strikers but both are improving. I'd love a top-class striker but I don't think we will get one this season.

Lastly Bolasie.. He is still the enigma. One minute great strength, pace, cross or shot. The next missing an excellent chance from 2 yards out or playing a dreadful back pass to the opposition 30 yards from goal.

He excites me and unless a decent fee comes in for him I'd be more than happy for him to use his talent and aggression ahead of Walcott.

Ideally we will get a top-class skilful, pacey winger but until then he improves the team IMO.

It definitely shows with Allan, and hopefully Doucoure and James on the way, that last season Sigurdsson could stroll around the field, which he did, because he knew there was no-one to take his place.

Assuming we want to challenge the Top 6 after revamping our midfield, we need to grab points early as the games are entirely winnable.

With Allan, Doucoure, and James, we really should be putting the bar high again? Only the best?

With out-and-out wingers, we have Walcott and Bolasie only. Iwobi, Bernard, and Gordon fancy themselves as a Number 10. As does the imminent signing of James Rodriguez.

With signing a load of central midfielders to add to what we already have, it seems more likely to me that we'll play a more centrally focused lineup. Be that 4-4-2 diamond (4-1-2-1-2), 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

If we play one of these formations, Gordon is more likely to be in the Number 10 role (as back-up) or wide in a 4-2-3-1. If 4-3-3 then he could play in either 3. In a 4-1-2-1-2 then Number 10 really.

If James is going to be playing as a Number 10, then it's more likely to me that Anthony Gordon is his backup from the bench than Sigurdsson. The latter I expect to be sold or to play deeper as he has been for most of the last 12 months.

Digne Holgate Keane Coleman
Allan Doucoure (Gomes)
Richarlison James Gordon (Kean)
Calvert-Lewin

I think that formation fits our players best. But Carlo knows best, so over to him.

I agree 100%. From what I've seen, Gordon should start in my opinion. No way we loan that kid out. Oodles of talent, and when he gains confidence he will frighten defenders.

Love the kid.

Iceland furious as Gylfi Sigurdsson misses England Nations League match

Jamie, I agree, Gordon is my 4th midfielder starter with Allan, Doucoure and James. But I'm quite sure Carlo will disagree. Depending on the alignment, I'd expect to see Gomes, Sigurdsson or Walcott still in there.

Special delight for me to see Bolasie play so strongly (one horror moment aside) and to see the young Yank keeper get to walk out on the pitch for even a few seconds.

And I am dazzled by young Nkounkou, whose acceleration over the first ten yards is pretty spectacular, and whose touch on the ball is fun to watch. I may -- eventually -- be forced to grudgingly forgive Brands for selling Antonee Robinson.

But not yet.

Marco was meant to be here long-erm so I think Marcel sold him and then looked to get someone younger and with more potential in.

As others have said, I'd have him ahead of Walcott, particularly as we're more likely to get a fee for Walcott if we let him go.

Having said that I think they're both rubbish.

Martin and Mike, I'd say Bolasie looked like the old Bolasie. He was always bustling with energy and commitment before he got hurt, albeit prone to errors like today. But I'd be delighted to see him get another chance in the club, if only as a late-game sub off the bench. He can be fun to watch.

I thought Gordon was a touch anonymous again, and I can't see him starting too many games if we do get all our transfer targets.

I loved watching Nkoukou, even if he is still pretty raw. So much confidence and power, and he's definitely not going to hide – he's always in the thick of the action.

Also, he chose to come to Everton simply because he looked at our options at left-back and reckoned he stood more chance of first-team football with us - so he's hungry to play rather than just pick up a wage.

The lad's 19 and plays without fear, and plays really well from the two games I've seen him in.

Admittedly they were only friendlies against lower-level opposition but he did what lots of others couldn't do in those games and that's "shine."

Nkounkou, wow, looks like he is going to be a player! Straight into the first team, no messing about with Unsy.

Richarlison looked a different animal and looked good back on the left-hand side.

Bolasie, to be honest, I'd like to see us hang on to him and use as a squad player, but that depends on how many subs we are allowed to name this coming season?

I think Kenny can do a job for us on the right, no need to dip into market for that area.

Get Doucouré and James signed up and I think the only things we need are a new centre-forward and a goalkeeper.

Ideally a balance between defence and attack would result in a 4-1-4-1 or something similar but in reality this can become 2-3-2-3 in posession and 5-4-1 when defending.

In short as long as we play well and win games I'll leave the formations to others.

Baningime taking #12 is a joke though, that guy's going to be nowhere near the first team this season. He could barely get on the pitch for a friendly in which half the squad was missing.

(Yes, I take a little too much interest in squad numbers)

Agreed, I think Brands has come through well with our new left-back.

The loans for Kenny and Gibson have made them better players – Brands's planning again.

Final thing I've realised today during the Allan signing: Brands has amazing styled hair for his age – he could even look the part in LA. Rodriguez and Brands in a L'Oreal hair-type advert could be a new commercial avenue for us.

Bolasie offers us something none of our other players does... power and pace. Walcott is pace but more deft touches... I doubt it'll be enough for Carlo but he does add something very different.

Unless we get a young hotshot like Emerson, let Kenny do the job... would like to personally see what he could do after his season in Germany.

I also thought that we should have gone in for McKenney. Roma got a steal there 2000 loan fee and option to buy at 10000 I believe.

And it turns out nobody else had a chance. McKennie's childhood idol was Pirlo. Once the legend came in for him, it was all over.

The lad seems, although he has only played a couple of games, that he could be a genuine prospect. I also appreciate that a couple of performances does not always display any player's future prospects, but having watched potential for as long as I care to remember, this lad looks to have it in abundance.

Sorry for being an 'old arse', but paying a mountain of money, does not always guarantee success, neither can getting players from(especially on a free) but I can see something there that has cost us nothing but could save us a fortune!

Harry will have enjoyed that.

Goalie looked very composed. Kenny scored a goal through sheer determination. Nkounkou has something about him. Gibson good on the ball.

Lovely run and cross from John and quite a good cameo from Ellis Simms, who might have scored but for the goalline clearance from Bolasie.

Starting to feel like we have some depth and players coming through. Encouraging signs. Fascinating to see how it shapes up when the new recruits get started.