What we learned: Newcastle 1-3 Everton

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Everton’s best performance of pre-season came on Wednesday in Edinburgh, as they ran out 3-1 winners over Newcastle United at Murrayfield.

It was generally an excellent performance from David Moyes’ men, who were without several potential starters, including Jarrad Branthwaite, who was rested, James Garner and new signings Christian Nørgaard and Brennan Johnson. 

Here’s a few things we learned from a fine display.

BARRY IS RARING TO GO

This was arguably Thierno Barry’s best performance in an Everton shirt.

He ran Newcastle’s defence ragged, and he looks full of confidence. Not only that, he looks sharp, fit and strong, and he was well worth his goal.

Barry was integral to Everton’s opener, charging forward on the counter and forcing Lewis Hall into a tackle. 

Harrison Armstrong picked up the loose ball and fed it to Barry, who found the bottom-right corner with aplomb.

Yes, Barry is still raw. Yes, there’s work to do, and some fans still may not have forgiven him for his attitude at times last season. But he’s had a very solid pre-season and now just needs to carry this form into the campaign proper.

GEORGE AND ARMSTRONG PROVIDE THE SPARK

Tyrique George and Armstrong were outstanding.

George got his first Everton goal in some style, while Armstrong provided two assists, the latter of which came for George’s excellent strike.

There’s lots to like about Everton’s youngsters, with George and Armstrong arguably the most exciting of this glut of promising talents, while Tyler Dibling even came on and kept up the levels he showed against Stuttgart at the weekend.

George’s performance has led to fans calling for Everton to back down from any deal for Jack Grealish. I can’t see that happening, and I still think a player of Grealish’s quality is required for this squad, but George has certainly shown he is capable of the spectacular.

Armstrong, meanwhile, is swiftly establishing himself as the player that should be within Everton’s first five central midfield options, when all of the complement are fully fit, and he needs to be getting game time this season.

PATTERSON SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT BALANCE IS

For once, Everton named an out-and-out right-back in their starting XI.

It’s a disgrace that Everton have not yet signed one full-back this summer, never mind the two, at least, that they need, given how poor Vitaliy Mykolenko can be on the opposite flank.

But Moyes went with Nathan Patterson from the off here, and was rewarded by a balanced display from a player who at least looks comfortable playing in his natural position.

Yes, Patterson really needs to be moved on, for his sake as much as anything, and Everton must — must — get a right-back in pronto, but this template should show the way forward for Moyes.

And if Patterson isn’t to play, then do not shoehorn Jake O’Brien out there against Palace. Play Merlin Röhl at right-back, and change things up, until that first-choice comes in (and to repeat, that should already have been done).

TAKE A STEP BACK, NOT EVERYBODY IS READY

Newcastle have had a chaotic pre-season, to say the least. They’ve sold three of their best players, brought in some young talents and then changed manager.

Matthias Jaissle was only taking charge of his second game, and of course he will need time to get his feet under the table and tactics instilled, but Newcastle looked way short of sharpness compared to Everton.

That’s not to say Everton will have a flying start to the season and Newcastle will be terrible, but it is a reminder for us all, myself included, to take a step out of the Everton bubble. All teams are still working their way towards 100%, and nobody is there just yet.

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