Blackburn Rovers 1 - 0 Everton [L]

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Everton continue their pre-season preparations this afternoon with a trip to Ewood Park to face Championship side Blackburn Rovers. After a decent showing in their first friendly against Accrington Stanley, David Moyes's side will be looking to build momentum before they embark for the United States to play familiar opposition in the Premier League Summer Series, starting next Friday.

Blackburn Rovers enjoyed a strong 2024-25 campaign, finishing a respectable 7th in the Championship, narrowly missing out on the play-offs. Under the guidance of their new Head Coach, Valérien Ismaël, appointed in February 2025, Rovers will be eager to push for promotion this season. 

They've been active in the summer, with new appointments in their football operations and recruitment teams, suggesting a focused approach to building on their recent progress. They can be expected to field a well-organised and competitive side this afternoon against Everton at Ewood Park. This is the second pre-season friendly for each side, both having kicked off against Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.

It was interesting that, even the threadbare squad included a full slate of 11 players to be named on the substitutes bench in Everton's first pre-season match against Accrington Stanley, David Moyes stuck pretty much with his starting line-up and resisted making wholesale changes that might have seen a lot more youngsters getting a run out.

At least a few more first-team players will be participating this afternoon, with  Gueye and Ndiaye having trained all week, and new goalkeeper Mark Travers selected to start in goal. But star new signing, Thierno Barry is not included as he is still taking a break. And most of the youngsters are on the bench for this one.

This match was to see the debut of Everton's new away kit in pale mustard,  released this week… until someone figured out it might clash with Blackburn.

Kick-off: 3 pm BST, Ewood Park, Saturday 19 July 2025

Patterson had a chance to drive forward but he just gave the ball away before Beto was closed down as he wanted to shoot. But Everton were behind after just 7 minutes when poorly exposed at the back, with a man left totally unmarked to slot past Travers. 

Ndiaye got a cross in but there was nobody on the end of it at the back post. Alcaraz tried to recycle possession but again Patterson crossed into the mix but picking out no one.

After Patterson poorly overhit another cross, Gana came up with a trademark power shot that flew wide of the Blackburn goal. 

Beto was double-teamed but the referee saw nothing wrong as he tried to play on while seated. Another cross in failed to find Ndiaye while at the other end, Branthwaite was called for a foul tackle where he seemed to get the ball; the Everton goal was defended more effectively this time. 

Gana did well to force a turnover and Alcaraz got a chance to shoot but his weak shot could only find the keeper. Gueye was then fouled clearing ball but that was given as a Blackburn corner. 

After some very negative backwards play, Everton found a way through with some quick passing between McNeil, Alcaraz and Patterson whose drilled cross was palmed away from Beto. Everton's first corner was simply shocking from Dwight McNeil. 

 

Everton: Travers, Patterson, O'Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Gana, Alcaraz, McNeil, Ndiaye, Beto.

Subs: Tyrer, Keane, Finney, Thomas, Armstrong, Iroegbunam, Heath, Metcalfe, Onyango, Chermiti, Clarke. 

 

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