Everton ended their pre-season tour of Germany with a 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart. Thierno Barry's second-half cameo briefly threatened a comeback, as he won and converted a penalty, but the hosts quickly restored their two-goal advantage.
Key Performances
Jarrad Branthwaite and Hayden Hackney gained valuable minutes, while Iliman Ndiaye made his first appearance since returning from the World Cup. Everton created enough chances to test Stuttgart more severely at the MHP Arena, but also relied on Mark Travers for several good saves and were twice denied by the woodwork.
Player Ratings
Mark Travers (Off, 75) 7 - Made a great save from a Nartey header when the midfielder rose unmarked from a corner. Then denied Jovanovic with a smart leg stop just before half-time and was called on four times in quick succession after the break.
Merlin Rohl (Off, 65) 7 - Given the chance to play in his favoured central midfield when Iroegbunam went off, having initially started at right back. Showed a willingness to get forward and did so with menace. Slipped a cute ball through to Beto, who passed wide when he should have shot, and then found Beto free at the back post only to watch the striker fail to connect from yards out.
Jake O'Brien (Off, 75) 6 - Provided able cover for Rohl in the first 20 minutes, and both he and Branthwaite showed comfort taking the ball forward. A centre-back partnership many would like to see more of, but he found himself back at right back too early and was caused problems by Fuhrich early in the second half.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Off, 80) 7 - Captain on the day and heavily involved from the start. Defensively astute and happy to step deep into Stuttgart territory to support attacks. Over-committed for the goal but later showed composure as he spun from trouble on the edge of his box and sent Alcaraz on an attack.
Vitalii Mykolenko (Off, 75) 5 - Was out of position for the goal, allowing Nartey the freedom of the wing before cutting inside. Was later turned inside out by Jovanovic when the winger ran at him in the first half.
Hayden Hackney 6 - Sought the ball out and tried to be positive with it, looking for the forward pass whenever available. Fired wide to end a good first-half move, and this was more minutes in the tank as he builds towards the season. Made an important interception in the box just after Barry's goal.
Tim Iroegbunam N/A - Withdrawn inside the first 20 minutes.
Harrison Armstrong (Off, 82) 7 - Another accomplished performance in the middle from a player who has played most of pre-season and at no point has looked out of place.
Tyler Dibling (Off 63) 7 - Earned early applause from the away end when he took the ball in trouble, evaded three opposition players and found a safe pass. Provided a threat down the right and played a perfect pull-back to Alcaraz only to see him stall when the better option was to shoot first time. Tested Bredlow with a good volley from the edge of the area. Was a little lightweight in the second half as Stuttgart sought to prevent him from running at them by tackling early, but kept asking for the ball.
Carlos Alcaraz (Off, 63) 7 - A livewire on the left who caused problems when drifting in-field. Like Rohl, had a glorious ball across goal missed by Beto, but should have done better himself when he took a touch from a Dibling pull-back and then shot - beating the keeper but not the last defender.
Beto (Off, 63) 4 - Had his head in his hands after missing the last of a flurry of first-half chances that included two balls across the box that would have been tap-ins had he met them. Also passed wide in search of a run that was not on when played in, albeit at an angle, by Rohl. Moyes had to fight against flailing in frustration when he misplaced a pass to lose the ball close to his own box. This was a tough afternoon for a player everyone at the club is so desperate to do well.
Substitutes
Michael Keane (on, 20) 6 - Brought on to replace Iroegbunam early in the first half and made a few timely blocks when Stuttgart applied pressure late before the break.
Tyrique George (On, 63) 6 - Most of the game unfolded down the other side during his time on the pitch.
Thierno Barry (On, 63) 7 - Had an immediate impact to continue his work towards cementing himself ahead of Beto for the game against Palace. Won the penalty by beating the keeper to the ball and then slotted it in.
Iliman Ndiaye (On, 63) 6 - His first involvement of pre-season and he set about his task with energy, wriggling past players in a bid to get his team forward. Almost scored twice amid a late goalmouth scramble.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (On, 65) 6 - Was unable to stamp his authority on the game as Everton were pushed back for the final stages, aside from for Barry's goal.
Nathan Patterson (On, 75) 6 - Got forward to win a late corner, but the fact he did not start again, nor did he come on for Iroegbunam, only further highlights that Moyes does not see him as the solution at right back.
Adam Aznou (On, 75) 6 - Unable to show off the attacking threat he can pose, and the final goal came from his side.
Tom King (On, 75) 6 - Was tested with a couple of late efforts but could do little about the third goal.
James Tarkowski (On, 80) N/A
Harvey Foster (On, 88) N/A
