Everton lost 1-0 to Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium, extending their run to 180 minutes without a goal against Championship opposition in pre-season. The absence of Iliman Ndiaye has been keenly felt, with the side struggling to create from open play across three friendlies.
Attack lacking without Ndiaye
At Dundee, Everton's four goals came from a deflected shot and three goalkeeper errors. Against Stoke, they failed to score again. Manager David Moyes is missing injured James Garner and Jordan Pickford, while Jarrad Branthwaite and Hayden Hackney are building fitness. Hackney played his first 45 minutes for the club.
Thierno Barry has looked hungry and Tyrique George impressed, beating defenders with ease, but the drop in quality without Ndiaye is obvious. Uncertainty over the Senegal international's future adds to concerns, with Al-Hilal yet to make formal contact for the 26-year-old. Chief executive Angus Kinnear watched from the stands.
Goalkeepers shine in defeat
Everton's best performers at Stoke were goalkeepers Mark Travers and Tom King, who made five good saves between them. However, Travers could not stop Gabriel Kelly's well-placed second-half effort, the only goal of the game. Jake O'Brien headed against the bar late on, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a chance blocked after good work from Tyler Dibling. Stoke were closer to adding a second, with Robert Bozenik and Milan Smit coming close.
The first half ended to cries of “f***ing useless” from home fans after Beto lost his balance and the ball during a promising counter-attack. Earlier, Million Manhoef had nutmegged Vitalii Mykolenko and pulled back for Tomas Rigo, whose effort was tipped onto the bar by Travers. From the resulting corner, Dewsbury-Hall carried the ball forward and set up George, who passed to Beto, but the forward lost footing and passed to a Stoke player.
George impresses amid speculation
Tyrique George was lively throughout the first half, beating right-back Ben Wilmot with ease and creating chances, but a lack of quality end product was a theme. Merlin Rohl provided threat down the right. Travers was busy, pushing wide from Manhoef's shot and saving with his legs when Sam Gallagher turned past James Tarkowski. The half also brought the first appearance of summer signing Hayden Hackney, who was eager for the ball and drove forward, but Everton need more.
