Pre-Season Friendly sees Everton win with moments of real football

Newcastle Utd 1 - 3 Everton

Everton take on Premier League opposition in Edinburgh this evening as the Blues face Newcastle United at Murrayfield Stadium.

The two teams go head-to-head in the Scottish capital as preparations step up for the Premier League campaign which starts in 10 days time.

Everton head into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart, continuing a mixed summer of results for David Moyes’s side, who have won twice in five friendly fixtures.

Newcastle beat Valencia in their most recent pre-season outing, as new head coach Matthias Jaissle prepares to lead a new era. It’s been a summer of upheaval for the Magpies, who have seen Eddie Howe step down as manager, and key figures Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes all sold.

Team News

"Jarrad Branthwaite is not part of Everton’s matchday squad for this evening’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Edinburgh as part of his planned reintegration programme following the hamstring injury he sustained towards the end of last season.

"The centre-back captained the Blues and played 80 minutes at Stuttgart on Saturday, having also started in friendlies against Bolton Wanderers and Hamburg this summer.

"Branthwaite will continue full training at Finch Farm tomorrow ahead of being involved in the Blues’ final warm-up match with French side LOSC Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday." — Official statement on Branthwaite's absence.

Other than that, not much of note in the starting line-up — although Patterson starts at right-back... perhaps a nod to his native Scotland? And Iroegbunam still missing, after he came off very early in Stuttgart. But no Norgaard, no Johnson -- they still need to be integrated into David Moyes's squad and cannot be trusted yet to perform as required. 

First Half

The Toon -- pretty in pink -- kicked things off. Travers had to make a simple save from a lob by Wissa. The Blues barely got a touch in the first 5 minutes, leading to the first Newcastle corner, eventually collected by Travers.

Barry was fouled in midfield, trying to drive through, but the free-kick was played backwards, the ball eventually lost. Ndiaye was next to be fouled, also played back to Travers, the clearance almost lost.  

Toure chased one down and put in a great ball, Wissa firing over. Mykolenko tied himself in knots and Elanga pounced with a shot that Travers did brilliantly to parry behind. 

Everton finally played the ball forward in minute 14, a great cross from Patterson to the far post, where Dewsbury-Hall was just a little behind it.

Hackney broke up a Newcastle attack and picked out Barry but he seemed to be fouled. A great exchange between Dewsbury-Hall and George released the youngster for a driving run but he kept the ball too long rather than making a shot or laying it off.

Ossula almost got past the Everton defence. Ndiaye tried to play in Barry with a forward ball. Everton were finally getting more of the game, George again looking lively but poor end product. And a third attempt from him, passed weakly to a defender. 

Wissa tried to con a penalty off Hackney but the referee was not buying it. Toure swung another great ball in from the left. Some great football got the Blues to the edge of the Newcastle area but they would not cross or shoot.

Hackney was robbed and it looked like Wissa would surely score but Tarkowski briliantly stopped Wissa and it became a sudden Everton counter, Keane's lofted ball forward missed by Barry but he recovered to beat tjwo defenders, was tackled brilliantly but the loose ball was picked up by Armstrong who played in Theirno Barry (28') for a great low finish across the keeper into the far corner.  

Barry was wrestled down by Joelinton but the free-kick was played back rather than delivered in and when it was finally, Ndiaye could not keep it. But a really nice move should have seen Ndiaye score off a brilliant low cross but the Toon's new keeper saved it. 

Mykolenko played in Dewsbury-Hall and Joelinton again was too robust in his tackle: Penalty! Iliman Ndiaye (35') slots it home!  

Patterson with a brilliant steal off Joelinton, powered forward down the right but Dewsbury-Hall farted about as if he didn't know what to do with the ball and by the time he played it across to George, the penalty area was chock-full of pink shirts. 

A rather nasty foul by Wissa was punished only with a free kick, and a word of warning from Tarkowski to the Newcastle offender. But nothing came of the free-kick. 

Ndiaye stole the ball off Hall but he was given a very soft free-kick. The Blayden Boys were obviously getting a little bit frustrated, with the Blues defence holding firm.  

Armstrong was doing some very confident things in the middle of the park, and Joelinton decided he should feel a sharp tap on his ankle. Again, nothing made of the set-piece. Toure again got a good ball in that Tarkowski headed behind for a corner that went nowhere. Everton ahead 2-0 at the break. 

Second Half

Wholesale changes for Newcastle, Jacob Murphy got behind Mykolenko and fired low, Travers producing an excellent save low to his right. Hackney put a great ball up for Barry but his control was abysmal and a defender robbed him. 

George put a tremendous ball across to Ndiaye but it bounced high in front of him and out of play. Everton that had to defend in depth against the newcomers. Good play got Everton down the field but Mykolenko's cross was simply idiotic.

Some great play from Dewsbury-Hall, Hackney set up George for his textbook curler that curls just beyond the angle. At the other end, Mykolenko was overlapped again but the Newcastle player was offside.

Everton played keep-ball for a while... but only going back to Travers. Barry ran inside and was clipped by Miley. Dewsbury-Hall curling it around the wall and heading for the post before it was pushed behind.

George's shot was blocked. Hackney did a great 1-2 backheel from George and went down but no penalty.  Ndiaye cut in to shoot but skied his effort. Mykolenko defended well, a Newcastle corner cleared. Barry could break but his pass was a shocker. 

Some changes after the hour mark. Barry led a breakout, playing in George, who stalled momentarily before Dibling went down with an arm in his face: no penalty. 

Armstrong played a nice crossfield ball to Dibling who did his usual thing, the cross spinning behind off a defender, taken by Dibling, the second a fantastic delivery almost creating a chance. 

Next it was George doing his thing on the left, almost beating his man, winning a corner, taken by Hackney to the far post. Everton were trying to move the ball around well, it just wasn't coming off for them. 

The best moment of the match came from George, it was simply beautiful. He drove forward, exchanged excellent passes with Armstrong, who confidently stood on the ball before he picked out George with a fantastic reverse ball, accurate and with pace, Tyrique George (73') spun like a ballerina and smashed it low into the goal. A simply excellent piece of football and a wonderful goal for the lad. 

More really nice football got Everton forward out of defence and George played in Aznou whose cross was blocked. Ramsey rugby tackled Armstrong - no booking. 

Dibling beat his man and put in a decent enough cross to the penalty area, but no takers. Newcastle finally broke the Everton backline, Barnes clipping home a fantastic cross from Jacob Murphy.

At the other end, Alcaraz tries to bend one into the top corner but it sails well wide in the end and the referee blows on 90 minutes. A nice win for the Blues with some lovely little moments of real football involving close one-touch passing, good running of the ball, and an excellent goal for Tyrique George.

Teamsheet

Everton: Travers, Patterson (53' Röhl), Tarkowski, Keane (82' O'Brien), Mykolenko (77' Aznou), Hackney (82' Foster), Ndiaye (64' Dibling), Dewsbury-Hall (64' Alcaraz [Y:66']), Armstrong, George, Barry (64' Beto).

Subs not Used: King, G Pickford, Graham.

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