Everton were denied victory by Hakon Haraldsson's stoppage-time volley, but the display in the 1-1 draw with Lille should have pleased David Moyes. The Blues were applauded off after a positive performance, one in which they created plenty of chances as their young attack showed flashes of menace.
With the likes of James Garner and Christian Norgaard still to join up with the squad, this was a performance that provided supporters with reassurance ahead of the new season, even if the right-back problem remains unresolved.
Three penalties in a week
Everton's goal came from the spot as the Blues earned their third penalty of the week. It came when Nathan Ngoy felled Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and the playmaker should have had another penalty in the second half. Moyes' side have felt starved of penalties for too long; they ended last season with two baffling calls that referee chiefs later acknowledged should have led to them being granted an opportunity from 12 yards.
The penalties won against VfB Stuttgart, Newcastle United and, now, Lille are the strongest evidence of the team's attack growing in confidence and potency.
Tyler Dibling does not hold back
Chief among those attackers showing promise is Tyler Dibling, who started on the right on Saturday and displayed no shortage of confidence as he drove at Lille defenders. The 20-year-old forced Berke Ozer into two saves in the first half and started the second being hacked down by Romain Perraud after he spun past the defender and three other visiting players. Dibling struggled last season but has had plenty of minutes this summer and, for the most part, has shown he could now be ready to make his mark in Royal Blue.
Vitalii Mykolenko has his best game and Jarrad Branthwaite looks ready
Vitalii Mykolenko has had a difficult summer and, if there were not so much focus on the need for a right-back, Everton's recruitment team could be forgiven for seeking a challenger for the Ukraine international. He was given a torrid time in Stuttgart last week but looked his most assured this pre-season against Lille. Mykolenko had an impact in both directions, putting in a number of good challenges at key moments while also finding Dewsbury-Hall's run with a clever ball over the top that allowed him to get goal-side of Ngoy and win Everton's penalty.
After a season decimated by injury, Jarrad Branthwaite has been handled carefully this summer. The result is that he looks ready to provide Moyes' backline with a major boost for the start of the campaign. Few players have a greater impact on the team when available, and one of Branthwaite's many strengths is what he offers going forward. This was showcased inside the opening five minutes when he carved through Lille's defensive lines to find Thierno Barry in space and put the visitors on the back foot.
Jordan Pickford will need to adapt to new rule
Jordan Pickford was straight into the starting line-up after his return to training on Thursday and looked at home in goal, making an important save from Basar Onal on half-time. He will need to get used to the new rule that allows referees to award a corner against goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for too long, though. Pickford fell foul of this inside the first 20 minutes and, given the importance of corners in the top flight last season, will do well to learn his lesson.
