Jeff Armstrong
1 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:16:02

David Moyes has excelled himself with that line up.

Tarkowski Keane and Mykolenko enough said.

Ian Wilkins
2 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:24:05

No Branthwaite at all. No minutes for Norgaard.

It looks a pretty thin squad, doesn't it.

Mihir Ambardekar
3 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:24:55

The moment we see Tarkowski and Keane in that line-up, we know it's gonna be a long game.

With these two players, we have weak back line. I am dreading Branthwaite's injury will derail our season.

Jack Convery
4 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:27:54

Jeez.

Michael Kenrick
5 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:29:23

It does make you wonder just what the point of these pre-season friendlies is when new players are not immediately given a runout so the fans can take a gander at what we've got.

But hey, another £5.99 into the TFG coffers... Maybe Tony's rambles are right: the game's gone.

Luke Welch
6 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:40:03

Nothing to get too excited about in that line up. A win would be nice, but that will hard work with that back four.

Paul Kossoff
7 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:42:30

Michael, why the stupid kick off time? I thought the supporters were the Life blood of the game, am I wrong, " He said, sarcastically."🥺

Jeff Armstrong
8 Posted 12/08/2026 at 16:48:06

Michael 5, my thoughts exactly, I think we now know 3 of the back four against Palace, he won’t risk Branthwaite for the first few league games, probably Preston will be his first start, don’t understand the Aznou omission, I mean it’s Hobson’s choice but Aznou offers an attacking threat, start him tonight and show us why you don’t trust him Moyes.

Geoff Lambert
9 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:00:37

Fukin dinosaur Moyes. If it's broke, don't fix it.

Same shit as last season. Why not give new guys 30 minutes at the end?? But not even on the bench.

John Collins
10 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:03:32

Toss-up between our starting back four and AC Milan one with Baresi, Maldini etc.

Mark Steers
11 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:04:33

It's only a friendly... 3 games in a week, everyone will get minutes.

Who cares what the team is? 3 points against Palace is all we want!

Norgaard is only cover for defence and midfield, I don't see him starting any games unless there are injuries.

Anzou is clearly not ready; Mykoleno is miles ahead of him.

Eric Haworth
12 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:30:11

He’s excelled himself with that back four, everyone of them is an accident waiting to happen, if first doesn’t one doesn’t screw up, then next one will! At least be thrown into complete darkness by half time!

Mal van Schaick
14 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:39:02

Unless we get a right full back and another left fullback we are going to be susceptible to goals from crosses. Sort it out Moyes.

Jay Lewis
15 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:41:15

Goal - Barry!

Derek Knox
16 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:42:50

A Barry goal, rare as Rocking Horse Manure, and to think you all (including myself) were labelling him a dud!

Still a dud btw, but grateful for the goal! :-)

John Collins
17 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:43:09

What a tackle from Tarkowski.

Great finish from Thierno Barry

Jay Lewis
18 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:49:39

2 - 0 N'Diaye penalty

Barry looks a completely different player!

Derek Knox
20 Posted 12/08/2026 at 17:56:37

I don't see a lot wrong with Patterson at R B, we still need competition for him though !

I mean, they offer Mykolenko a 3 year Contract and he has basically been shite ?

Mike Gaynes
21 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:00:39

Myko is shite going forward.

Patto is shite at the back.

We know which is Davey's priority.

Jay Lewis
22 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:03:39

Armstrong and George have played well.

Just before the penalty, there was that passage of play between Armstrong, George and Barry and Barry put a lovely pass into Ndiaye on a plate and he should have scored.

Martin Reppion
23 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:05:44

People on here often remind me of the old saying.. It is better to say nothing and appear foolish than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I have watched every preseason game, albeit on TV, and Barry has been the stand-out player. He has trained on well and looks like what he was bought for... a promising up-and-coming centre-forward. We just need Dibling to come good now.

As for our useless back four. Our opening goal came courtesy of a brilliant interception from Tarkowski, which got us back in possession.

Jeff Armstrong
24 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:06:39

Mike 31, did you not see Mykolenko’s early mistake, in his own penalty area, shocking, he’s also consistently caught out of position at the back with a lofted ball over his head, he’s poor all over and is the type of player who needs replacing if we want to move up, don’t think Aznou is the answer either.

Jay Lewis
25 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:07:50

Mike, can't disagree with the Myko shout. It's like he's got banana skins on his feet. Patterson has made a few mistakes but he did put a decent cross in as well

Gavin Johnson
26 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:08:37

Good performance so far, but it would be so much better if we could just replace both full backs. I'm sick of seeing Mykolenko in an Everton shirt.

Please bring on Aznou early in the 2nd half...

Jay Lewis
28 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:13:10

Slipally Mykoslippo haha

Eric Haworth
29 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:20:25

We’re always banging-on about Patterson, and he is a serious worry, but Mykolenko is a different level, with his propensity for either being on the wrong side of his man, or it even being there at all arghhh

Jay Lewis
30 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:22:26

Eric, first 2 minutes in the 2nd half and he's been a fucking liability!

Jay Lewis
31 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:25:20

Rohl on for Patterson, should have swapped Myko for Aznou as well

Jeff Armstrong
32 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:29:47

Make no mistake,Myko is starting the season, even if Aznou came on today and assisted a hat-rick, he’s not starting

Nicolas Piñon
33 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:34:10

Come on lads!

Jay Lewis
34 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:34:39

Even if he scored the hat-trick himself Jeff! Haha

Ndiaye looks sluggish, should bring on Dibling.

Jay Lewis
35 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:36:53

Dibling on just as I posted that. Beto and Alcaraz on too.

Beto moves like Robocop, for fuck's sake.

Nicolas Piñon
36 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:44:11

This kid George has to be our 9!

Jay Lewis
37 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:45:26

Who needs Grealish when you have Tyrique George!!

Jeff Armstrong
38 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:46:14

Jay 37, my sentiments exactly

Jay Lewis
39 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:48:25

He's been brilliant Jeff. I love how excited Snods gets about him as well haha

Tom Bowers
40 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:51:44

What happened to the Live Forum, guys?

Geoff Trenner
41 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:54:37

Live forum is there Tom

Nicolas Piñon
42 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:55:53

We don't need Grealish.

We need a right-back and a striker at least.

Tom Bowers
43 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:56:56

Where was Patterson for that goal???

Dan Nulty
44 Posted 12/08/2026 at 18:58:36

I knew the Newcastle fans would be just as worried as us before the start of the season.

I expect their level of pessimism has nosedived well below ours.

Barry Robson
45 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:01:47

Patterson was substituted earlier on so he was no where near the goal.

Jay Lewis
46 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:02:57

Tom @43 probably in the shower mate, came off ages ago

John Collins
47 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:05:29

Some nice joined up stuff there.

Interesting to see Hackney sitting in front of the back four, with Armstrong further forward. Resulting in two great assists from Armstrong... he's got more vision and calmness around the box than anyone in the squad.

Christy Ring
48 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:07:54

Very impressed with Armstrong and George, and I have to say, Barry put in a shift.

But I can't believe Moyes didn't give Aznou minutes -- Mykolenko was very poor.

Mike Powell
49 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:07:54

Played well looking better with each game.

Some standout performances: George, Armstrong, Keane and Tarkowski to name a few.

Christy Ring
50 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:10:15

Sorry,

Aznou got 16 minutes, wow.

Raymond Fox
51 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:11:06

Martin @ 23,

I agree some take moaning to World Championship level.

Jay Lewis
52 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:12:24

Christy,

Mykolenko was by far the worst player. If only Moyes could grow a pair and do an Alex Ferguson in putting more trust and faith in the youngsters.

George, Armstrong and Barry were very impressive today. Aznou done alright from the limited minutes he got... even Harvey Foster!

Jeff Armstrong
53 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:13:10

Christy 50, Moyes has already decided on Mykolenko as his starting left-back; Aznou will just get 10 minutes against Lille, no doubt.

Mykolenko stunk the place out tonight, as he did in Germany. I think we need a left-back as much as a right-back.

Jay Lewis
54 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:14:07

Raymond @51,

Imagine if our manager knew what World Championship level was!

John Collins
55 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:18:20

Deffo a player in Dibling, starting to relax on the ball now, still a bit to go but good signs.

George will be frustrating but he will score and create. Mykokenko still the weakest, physically, full back in the Premier .
Another goal for the B&B Combo. En sweet!

Tommy Carter
56 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:38:24

Jeff @53 and Christy.

Moyes is a percentages manager and I would say if a player over 38 games in the Premier League had a 4/10 or less in his locker, he simply won't consider them, ever.

He would rather a player that can do a 5/10 minimum every week with the ability to stretch to the occasional 7/10 and on a really good day 8/10.

What he won't do is the player, such as an Anzou or a Dibling that might be a 10/10 or a 9/10 match winner often but then drop a stinker that costs a game. He absolutely won't do that, Moyes. And not even to the extent to persevere until the player finds consistency.

If Everton had a 21-year-old Lionel Messi under Moyes, he'd be playing left wing and getting dragged off at half time for not doing his defensive work properly.

How do I know? Because he had Wayne Rooney playing left wing, doing his defensive work properly, and still wouldn't give him 90 minutes.

Ian Wilkins
57 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:43:14

Barry, George, Armstrong and the improving Hackney all very good.

We really must add two quality full-backs.

Kevin Molloy
58 Posted 12/08/2026 at 19:54:32

Obviously George and Harrison steal the headlines, but I was also much more impressed with Hackney today, he was on the ball constantly, and we look so comfortable in possession now with him there.

I think we do the deal now with Ndiaye providing we get comfortably over £60M, and reinvest. Also, we can send Tim Iroegbunam and Charly Alcaraz off, now the kids are really stepping up.

Bill Hawker
59 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:17:29

Good preseason for Barry.

Let's hope it translates into the start of the regular season.

Jay Harris
60 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:20:17

That starting back 4 needs to be our bench back 4 if we have any ambition going forward.

Superb display from George and Armstrong. Dibling gets better every game. Barry a looked more like it, and Travers made some decent saves.

Interesting to see the refs are being sponsored by Specsavers.

Ray Jacques
61 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:23:44

Sign two full-backs, take a punt on Delap.

I would be happy with that. Oh and if they get Grealish at the last minute, a bonus!

Shaun Parker
62 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:35:18

Looks like Wan-Bissaka is going to Aston Villa. Looks like Spence is going to Inter.

I tell you now, Moyes believes he has the right-back role sorted. Jake O'Brien with cameo cover from Rohl, for fuck's sake!

Please sign a right-back who can get up and down the flanks -- and please sign anybody who can kick a ball to replace the numpty at left-back.

Phil Roberts
63 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:36:30

Tommy #56, you do spout some rubbish to back up your prejudice.

Rooney was 16 when Moyes gave him his debut, as a starter. That was in a team with Radzinski, Campbell and Joe McBride. Who would you have put on the wing out of those 3?

He played all 90 minutes in his second match. Moyes protected Rooney's body with mainly sub appearances until the end of March 2003 and then, with Radzinski out, he started him in all 8 matches and he was never subbed off.

I presume you believe Moyes told him off for picking up the ball in the centre circle at Elland Road before scoring when he should have been sending in crosses for Super Kev?

Give it a rest.

Ian Bennett
64 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:37:56

Martin 23,

I think Barry has looked better in the pre-season. Better link-up play and scoring goals.

Hopefully he can kick on.

Mike Hayes
65 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:49:21

Jay,

Robocop 2 on tonight so you'll be able to compare 🥳💙

Jeff Armstrong
66 Posted 12/08/2026 at 20:52:21

Phil 63,

Joe McBride? There's a blast from the late '70s... did you mean Brian by any chance?

Paul Griffiths
67 Posted 12/08/2026 at 21:07:45

He was a mate of mine, Joe McBride.

Used to go to the George in Crosby and elsewhere with Pat Heard and Paul Lodge.

Ron Sear
68 Posted 12/08/2026 at 21:22:17

I know its a rather strange thing to say on ToffeeWeb but I rather enjoyed watching the game today.

On the whole, the players were lively and up for a win and they seemed to enjoy causing mayhem in the opposition's box.

Was there anybody else who would dare say the game showed a bit of promise or does that go against the notion of being a fan?

Paul Griffiths
69 Posted 12/08/2026 at 21:30:04

You should be fined for that Ron (68), even though you are right.

Mark Steers
70 Posted 12/08/2026 at 21:48:10

I said it weeks ago, Everton are miles better than the last few seasons. Absolute deadwood of a Club Captain gone, sadly Gana was old. Now, we will be top half easily -- we have good players who will get much better.

If you look at the team that played and finished the cup match against Sunderland, you will be amazed how far we've come.

Maybe that bad finish last season works in our favour as European games might have been too much for us. I think a couple of very good players will move us on big time.

Jay Lewis
71 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:00:02

Mike @65 Nah, can't watch that shite haha

Jay Lewis
72 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:01:47

I officially call this solar eclipse the Everton Eclipse.

Everyone proper hyped up for it expecting big things but in the end it just meant it got dark a couple of hours early!

Tommy Carter
73 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:12:57

Phil @63,

Rooney was that good, at that age, he did not require any ‘protection' from any manager.

Good managers such as Sven and Sir Alex Ferguson saw absolutely no reason to ‘protect' him and as soon as they had him in their midst he was a starting player and star of their teams.

I don't know who Joe McBride is. Assuming you mean Brian McBride. Personally I'd have gone for a Rooney / McBride or Rooney / Campbell front 2.

Radzinski, although he had a decent season, was nothing close to the player Rooney was. And he wasn't as fast as Rooney either. Rooney played more games for Everton (first and second spell) in other positions than he did playing centre forward. That says it all.

Brendan McLaughlin
74 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:32:00

Jay #72

That's NSNO as far as an eclipse can deliver. The wonder of nature.

"Glass half empty"... doesn't do you justice mate.

Jay Lewis
75 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:39:09

Brendan, the 1999 one was well better, even the one in 2015-16 was better half empty??

Was dangling the glass above my face and struggled to get a drip mate haha

Brendan McLaughlin
76 Posted 12/08/2026 at 22:55:17

Jay #75

Were you dangling it the right way though?

Easy to loose orientation during an eclipse mate.
.

Mark Taylor
77 Posted 12/08/2026 at 23:02:18

In the 10 minutes of highlights I saw, midfield looked a strength, which you'd expect given our squad profile, the full backs (both) remain suboptimal, and just maybe Barry has more in him than being unable to hit a barn door with a banjo.

The least likely idea is getting a good striker so I'll settle for two good full-backs.

Jay Lewis
78 Posted 12/08/2026 at 23:03:27

Not my first rodeo mate, seen a good couple of eclipses now and I never fail to pour the bevvy down the right hole to my detriment at times, haha.

Jay Lewis
79 Posted 12/08/2026 at 23:12:35

Full-backs should be priority, Mark, on both sides.

Mike Price
80 Posted 12/08/2026 at 23:48:38

Mykolenko continues to be an utter liability.

I can't believe he got a new contract; he's the worst full-back I've ever seen.

Jay Lewis
81 Posted 12/08/2026 at 23:54:02

Mike, him or Pistone?

That's a proper debate!

Sean Herbert
82 Posted 12/08/2026 at 00:12:24

Tommy @ 73, we had a Joe McBride on the books many years ago. Long before Brian McBride if I remember correctly.

Another promising young player who never really made it.

Don Alexander
83 Posted 12/08/2026 at 01:20:38

Our Joe McBride was with us 1979-82, being sold by Howard Kendall after scoring 9 in 60 games. He was a winger with a prolific dad who was a notable scorer in Jockistan.

Alas, we signed Joe Harper in the mid '70s instead of McBride senior. Everton that, even then.

Dale Self
84 Posted 13/08/2026 at 02:52:54

Great, Don, now I have to clean my phone screen after reading 'Jockistan'!

Fuck, I can barely type right now.

Steve Shave
85 Posted 13/08/2026 at 06:56:45

I watched the highlights, looks like a good game with some decent stuff played at times. A win for Danny! 💙

Judging by the comments, Mykolenko is an early contender for TW's target of the year? A limited full-back, yes, and certainly not one to push us on... but let's judge him on how he starts the season. I, like others, want to see Aznou given more of a chance but defensively Mykolenko is better than many give him credit for.

If we sort the right-back problem properly this window, then maybe left-back is something we can consider in January, perhaps with selling Mykolenko at a good age with plenty left on his contract to maintain his value? Or maybe that's just over-optimism on my part but I always hate to see players get rounded on.

Mike Price
86 Posted 13/08/2026 at 07:21:27

I think it's alright to give opinions on individual players, its not personal and it is professional sports not under 11's.

Mykolenko has been dire the entire time he's been here. The first time I saw him against Norwich, I knew we'd been sold a dud. He's a terrible, last-ditch defender with no positional sense, as well as useless going forwards.

John Collins
87 Posted 13/08/2026 at 07:29:20

Steve 85.

I'm judging him on how he has started, and finished, the previous seasons he has been with us.

3 assists in 143 games is nowhere near what is required from a modern-day full-back.

Jeff Armstrong
88 Posted 13/08/2026 at 07:58:47

For anyone who missed the game, or ifthe highlights didn’t show this,
here is a Twitter link to our left back v Newcastle:

3 more years pic.twitter.com/vzcCtXXZiG
— St Domingo Archive (@1878archive) August 12, 2026

Mick O\\\'Malley
89 Posted 13/08/2026 at 09:06:03

Steve, don't forget Patterson in that target of the season, he was getting the blame for the goal when he'd been substituted.

Glad to see Barry getting a bit of praise, let's get behind the lad instead of piling on; he's a better player than Beto all day long. It's who we've got, so no use piling on... he is what he is.

Andy Meighan
90 Posted 13/08/2026 at 09:08:04

Phil 63.

I don't think Joe McBride played in the same team or was even in the same squad as Rooney.

You must be getting him mixed up with Brian McBride, the American striker... decent player, by the way.

Ray Jacques
91 Posted 13/08/2026 at 13:17:18

Does anyone think we will win a trophy before the next eclipse?

We haven't won one since the last in 1999!!!

Mike Hayes
92 Posted 13/08/2026 at 13:59:44

Try 1995: FA Cup and Charity Shield 💙

Jay Lewis
93 Posted 13/08/2026 at 21:07:27

Jeff @88,

Tat clip sums his whole performance from the Newcastle match. His studs must be roller marbles or something.

Absolute whopper performance.

Dave Abrahams
94 Posted 13/08/2026 at 21:13:30

I never saw any of the game but I hope Armstrong is kept here and given plenty of game time to prove himself -- not sitting on the bench like the second half of last season.

Jay Lewis
95 Posted 13/08/2026 at 21:29:48

Dave @94

Him, George, Dewsbury-Hall and Barry seem to have a really good rapport, all played well off each other.