Everton ended their pre-season with an accomplished performance that contained positives despite an ending that denied them victory. Hakon Haraldsson’s 93rd-minute volley prevented the Blues from finishing their preparations with a win but should not detract from a promising display in which Tyler Dibling, Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Thierno Barry impressed.
It marked the end of a tricky week of games in which David Moyes’ side hinted they are capable of causing problems to Champions League sides through a frontline that is growing in stature. The right-back issue must still be resolved but the squad is starting to look strong in other key areas.
Missed chances prove costly
Everton had the chances to put this game to bed long before Haraldsson beat Mark Travers. The best fell to Harrison Armstrong, who fired high and wide from 12 yards in the second half after being slipped in by a cute Barry through-ball. Lille’s defence had stopped in expectation of an offside flag that did not come but the teenager was unable to take advantage.
New signing Brennan Johnson was denied a perfect introduction when Berke Ozer pushed his powerful effort over after he was played into space by George, while the 25-year-old was unable to meet a ball across the face of goal from Adam Aznou, whose overlapping run was found by fellow substitute George as the Blues showed potency down the left in the final half an hour.
Lille were also fortunate when Alexsandro Ribeiro’s reckless back pass drifted over the head of Ozer but bounced just wide of his far post. Travers did make good late saves from Benjamin Andre and Osame Sahraoui but the visitors, led by former Everton assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, were fortunate to avoid defeat as the Blues returned to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Ndiaye penalty gives first-half lead
Everton had led at the break through a composed penalty by Iliman Ndiaye - the third won by the Blues this week. It came when Nathan Ngoy climbed over the back of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after the midfielder strode behind the Lille defence to meet a lovely clipped ball over the top by Vitalii Mykolenko.
The lead was just reward for Everton's first-half display. Their best 45 minutes of pre-season saw them dominate the ball and probe away at Ancelotti’s team. Dibling, given the opportunity to start on the right, twice cut inside and forced Ozer into good saves as the winger continued to show his new-found confidence through pre-season.
Pickford saves and positives taken
Jordan Pickford, straight into the starting XI after returning to Finch Farm on Thursday, saved Everton on half-time when Basar Onal brought down Nabil Bentaleb’s clever ball over the shoulders of James Tarkowski and Merlin Rohl. Onal rounded Pickford but saw his shot saved by the England No.1, who had forced him wide. It was the only save the keeper had to make in a comfortable opening 45 minutes for the hosts.
And while Travers could not deny Lille at the end of the second half, the Blues were applauded off at the end of a week in which they also lost - but caused issues - to Stuttgart and comfortably beat Newcastle United.
Attention will remain focused on the desperate search for a right-back but Moyes, who is still yet to speak publicly this summer, is likely to have been pleased with a week of promise on the eve of the new Premier League campaign.
