Everton vs Mansfield Town player ratings - Armstrong impresses | OneFootball

Everton beat Mansfield Town 2-0 in their first-ever cup game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to advance to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

It was a comfortable evening for David Moyes and his players who were hardly threatened by their League Two opponents. The Blues dominated possession and created all the chances, scoring twice through Charly Alcaraz and Beto in the opening and closing minutes of the first half.

Mansfield Town finished the match without any shots on target as the Blues backline, led by James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, captain Seamus Coleman, and the returning Vitalii Mykolenko held their own.

Tyler Dibling made his first appearance for the Blues, coming off the bench after an hour, while Mark Travers, making his Everton debut in between the sticks, had little to do. 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong looked impressive after playing the entire 90 minutes and assisting both of Everton’s goals on the night.

Ratings for Everton players against Mansfield Town:

Mark Travers - 6

The Everton debutant had very little to do during the match, to be honest. Looked comfortable while collecting crosses and clearing danger.

Seamus Coleman - 7

The Everton captain made his first start for the club at their new stadium after leading the boys out for one final time at Goodison Park in May. He may be past his prime physically, but Coleman’s wisdom, experience and grit was on show for most of the game. He snuffed out danger and asserted dominance on the right flank.

Michael Keane - 6

It was a comfortable game for Keane, whose pressing led to a chance for Beto, which he should’ve converted. Keane also ventured forward and took up spaces in the final third during the first half when the Blues were struggling to break through the Mansfield defence.

James Tarkowski - 6

Had an imposing game at the centre of the backline. Blocked an effort from Regan Hendry in the second half with his head which could’ve been Mansfield’s first shot on target.

Vitalii Mykolenko - 7 (subbed off for Jake O’Brien at 87’)

Promising game from Mykolenko on his return from injury. He ventured up and down the left flank and provided a cross in the second half that could’ve been scored by Thierno Barry.

James Garner - 7

Garner was back to his usual role in midfield, and along with young Harrison Armstrong, the duo did quite well. Garner provided the delicious ball that broke through the Mansfield defence before Armstrong squared it to Beto for a tap-in to secure the insurance goal for Everton late in the second half.

Harrison Armstrong - 8

Armstrong made the most of his opportunity and left a strong impression with his performance tonight. He always showed for the ball and was in the thick of things. The 18-year-old had his shot saved by the opposition keeper from an acute angle in the first half.

Armstrong showed composure for both his assists to Alcaraz and Beto tonight. He also sent a lovely ball through to Iliman Ndiaye who could only find the side netting with his toe poke attempt.

Jack Grealish - 7 (subbed off for Tyler Dibling on 60’)

Another strong performance from Everton’s statement summer signing, who showed plenty of intent. Grealish created great chances for Dwight McNeil and Armstrong, which they couldn’t convert in the first half. The 29-year-old could’ve scored his first goal for the club but wrapped his foot under the ball from close range.

Charly Alcaraz - 8 (subbed off for Iliman Ndiaye on 78’)

Charly Alcaraz had a lovely game after slotting into his natural number 10 role. He had Everton’s first shot on target with a lovely run and was lively while combining with teammates in the final third. Alcaraz also produced a great finish from the edge of the box to break the deadlock early in the second half.

Dwight McNeil - 6 (subbed off for Tim Iroegbunam on 78’)

While McNeil’s early crosses looked lethal from the right, they got predictable and easy to read after a while. He made a lovely mazy run in the second half and should’ve done better with the golden opportunity that Grealish teed him up with.

Faded out of the game after the half-hour mark and went to his favoured position on the left for a few minutes after Grealish got taken off, before coming off himself.

Thierno Barry - 6 (subbed off for Beto on 60’)

It was a mixed bag of a game for Barry, making it hard to rate him objectively. His holdup play was good and some of his touches and passes were smartly executed but the 6’4” Frenchman lacked lethal prowess inside the box. He was involved in the build-up to Everton’s opening goal.

Substitutes

Tyler Dibling - 6

Dibling was greeted by a huge roar from the crowd after making his first appearance in Blue at the hour mark. Kept things ticking and some of his touches and feints showed the class the 19-year-old possesses.

Beto - 6

It was an odd game for the Everton number 9. While he did get the all-important second goal to provide relief to the supporters, he also caused a lot of frustration on other occasions. Beto was played through on goal after Keane won the ball high up the pitch but his shot lacked power and conviction.

The Guinea-Bissau international also headed wide from a testing Mykolenko cross before failing to capitalise from a pass by Iroegbunam towards the closing stages.

Tim Iroegbunam - 6

Iroegbunam provided solidity in the middle of the park and helped his side see out the game. He could’ve bagged an assist had Beto been more clinical.

Iliman Ndiaye - 6

The Everton number 10 had a bright moment when he made his way into the box after being played through by Armstrong, only to find the side-netting with a cheeky toe-poke attempt.

Jake O’Brien - N/A

Came on in the dying minutes and slotted in at left-back, a new role for him.

Reader Comments (11)

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Mike Hayes 3 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:20:56

Give the new lads time to bed in and gel we have the making of a decent team that should be right up there in the mix of the top 10 at least. Nice win in this competition and we stand a chance of a decent run and maybe just maybe this elusive cup could be ours 🤷🥳💙

Neil Lawson 4 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:28:05

Moyes now has some interesting decisions to make for Saturday. I am sure Garner and Gueye will start together but any combination of Grealish, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling and Armstrong offers real hope for the future. Just need someone to stick the ball in the net.

Lewis Barclay 5 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:44:34

I’d like to see Ndiaye play up top with Grealish Charly and Dibling behind, for 15 mins to see how it works.

Colin Malone 6 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:49:16

Must wrap Seamus in cotton wool.

Derek Knox 7 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:52:46

Just got back from the match, enduring traffic congestion, a bit disappointed in a lot of lacklustre contributions from some of our so-called stars. Barry could have been Beto tonight failing to control some easy balls, and spurning a couple of chances.

Still we are in the next round which is a bonus, without too much egg on our faces, unlike a team up the M62. Can't see Amorim lasting the season out !

Si Cooper 8 Posted 27/08/2025 at 23:54:57

Colin, hopefully we can achieve that by bringing in a first class RB and letting Seamus just fill in occasionally.

Derek, I don’t think we got any egg on our face from that performance. Commentators didn’t sound like they thought so either.

It was OK no better, no worse. As Clough said before the game, the gulf is large, our second team would beat their first team 9 times out of 10.

Mind you, over at Grimsby, it was the 1 in 10 occurring

For the first time since 1985 I really feel excited about Everton as a team.Everyone tonight wanted to show, yes it was Mansfield but with respect they played well and were set up accordingly.We are a great team in the making and with a few more additions we will challenge the top ? six, I have no doubts.