Pre-Season Friendly sees a late Everton win in Hamburg | OneFootball

Hamburg 1 - 2 Everton

Everton are in Germany to take on SV Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion on Saturday afternoon in their fourth pre-season friendly, kicking off at 5 pm CEST (4 pm BST).

The game is part of a double-header with the women's teams playing each other in the early afternoon, the Everton Women storming to a 1-0 victory over HSV Frauen.

Team News

Jordan Pickford still enjoying his post-World Cup break, along with Iliman Ndiaye, who may already have one foot out of the door, depending on who you believe... but Nathan Patterson has returned to his place on the bench.

That leaves David Moyes with a tight-knit (aka 'threadbare') squad to face the Bundesliga giants on their turf. And he picks what might be his strongest side, with Jarrad Branthwaite returning to the starting line-up while Keane, Dibling, Alcaraz and others are benched. McNeil is out with a knock.

And Moyes takes no chances, with an unprecedented three goalkeepers on the bench!

First Half

Everton kicked off and got into some exciting head-tennis upfield. Hamburg got into the mood, moving the ball around with pace. Tarkowski's long ball over the top to Rohl won Everton a corner. A good delivery from Dewsbury-Hall, he followed it with a decent cross to O'Brien who could only head it to the Hamburg keeper.

Travers had to save a shot after a long stoppage which saw an early change for the home side. Lemke led another Hamburg drive forward, his attempt blocked. A second and third quick movement by the home side directly through the middle came to nothing.

Everton tried to play out and were lucky to recover the ball after losing it but the Everton attack was as usual far too slow. Hackney tried to dribble and was fouled. Hamburg almost set up a chance but Iroegbunam broke it up.

Everton tried to build but Hackney was double-teamed. At least this match was a step up in terms of competitiveness. Barry got wide but couldn't find a white shirt with his low cross. Hackney looked to create a half-chance inside the box but it was thwarted.

Hackney was dispossessed, and Gronbaek had a shot wide. Stange was allowed to run through by O'Brien, shooting across Travers and wide as Hamburg had a spell of dominance.

Hackney fouled Stange, whose free-kick was shanked behind by Dewsbury-Hall for a Hamburg corner. A great delivery was punched away by Travers. Dewsbury-Hall held off a German and played a nice ball forward for George but he had strayed ahead of the back line.

Hackney skipped nicely past two defenders but kicked his pass into the legs of a third. Rohl was caught, Dewsbury-Hall swinging in a looping cross that lacked power.

After strong work by Dewsbury-Hall, Barry drove forward and somehow beat his man before flicking it back for Merlin Rohl (41') who took great pleasure in striking it hard past the keeper to open the scoring.

Hamburg were a bit miffed but Everton kept up the pace, Barry forcing a corner. The workaround saw George trying to create some magic, eventually with a low cross that was cleared.

Some excellent link-up play won another Everton corner, George hammering in a low shot that was deflected behind. Iroegbunam was shown a yellow card a bit unfairly for impeding a breakaway. Everton went in ahead at the break after 5 added minutes.

Second Half

Hamburg were up the field quickly and Travers had to paw away a powerful shot that was straight at him. A free-kick led to Lemke forcing the ball through to Daka who spun and fired just wide.

From a poor goal kick by O'Brien, Hamburg fed Daka again who spun around in front of Travers and slotted home.

Everton got a corner that was punched clear but it fell for Branthwaite to juggle and then scoop over when it looked easier to score. Rohl's shot was then deflected onto the bar but Hamburg cleared the ensuing corner and built another attack.

Rohl had a ground shot that was saved. Great work by Rohl brought the ball forward and George who tried one of his textbook top corner curlers that flew well wide.

A defensive header back to Travers by O'Brien was almost intercepted by Daka.

A ball forward from Tarkowski seemed to be falling for Barry but he nudged it away from himself and harmlessly behind, but it had been a decent 15 minutes of football since the break, Moyes spurning the standard hour-mark changes.

Iroegbunam was s bit fortunate not to get a second yellow for a lazy foot stuck out to try and halt a Hamburger.  Tarkowski made a terrible error in midfied, Hamburg were quick in the transition but Tarkowski was foolish enough to feel he should make amends: yellow card. The wall did its job to stop the free-kick reaching Travers in the Everton goal.

Moyes had only been keeping his powder dry, however, and made switches during the hydration break.

Dewsbury-Hall put in a fantastic low cross that Barry should have done everything to get onto but he just watched it roll across in front of him.

Barry got another chance after he almost lost another Tarkowski ball over the top. He turned and shot but the keeper saved it well. Barry played in Alcaraz, but two defenders threw themselves in front of him to block the shot behind. It was a good delivery but went right through.

Rohl drove down the right but his cross was disappointing. Barry almost got free but he was offside before more late changes from Moyes.

Hamburg kept coming forward, winning a corner that was cleared. Everton countered and Aznou fought hard to win an Everton corner, Tarkowski called by the ref, who decided on 8 minutes of added time.

Graham, on in added time, stole a loose ball and put in a rapid cross ahead of Beto that the defender  (Torunarigha, OG 90+4') tried to clear but he sliced it into his own net to give Everton a late lead.

Alcaraz tried to lob the keeper from distance but it was over the bar. Graham played in Dibling who beat one man but he hesitated a fraction and his shot was blocked.

Everton ended the game well and had done a lot better than in the earlier games.

Line-up:

Everton:  Travers (82' King), Rohl, Mykolenko (82' Aznou), Tarkowski [Y:66'], O'Brien (90+4' Patterson), Branthwaite (70' Keane), Iroegbunam [Y:45+2'] (70' Dibling), Hackney (70' Armstrong), Dewsbury-Hall (90+2' Graham), George (70' Alcaraz),  Barry (82' Beto).

Charles Brewer 3 Posted 01/08/2026 at 14:30:33

Given that it's being played in Hamburg, is there any chance that it’s being transmitted live without having to go through the Everton invariably-useless channel?

Derek Knox 4 Posted 01/08/2026 at 14:35:47

Charles, I know exactly what you mean, past experience where I bought the Everton pre-season package, only to be disappointed by " technical difficulties beyond their control " never getting any refund so they don't get my Sub any more. Luckily I have an IPTV Subscription (hush hush) so generally get uninterrupted coverage. However you MAY be able to get it on YouTube !

Brian Foley 5 Posted 01/08/2026 at 15:41:45

Michael, you say McNeil is benched, but his name is not there? Charles (3) get yourself a firestick you won’t miss a game.

Michael Kenrick 6 Posted 01/08/2026 at 15:48:04

Ooops, I think you're right, Brian. He's not there, is he.

Dwight McNeil is not in the Everton squad today due to an injury. Still waiting on details and have seen him in the mixed zone - where he looks completely fine apart from bandaging on his left leg.

Tom Bowers 7 Posted 01/08/2026 at 15:50:28

We have to overcome the loss of Lukaku, Yakubi and DCL and hope Barry get's the goal that wins it then we can play the ladies in the final. Joking apart we need to put the Stoke performance behind us and get in the right frame of mind for the next three games including Palace.

Kevin Naylor 8 Posted 01/08/2026 at 15:51:32

Roma getting tonked by Cardiff 3-0 at HT. All's not well in the TFG camp currently.

Brian Dagnall 9 Posted 01/08/2026 at 15:57:28

I also have iptv AND a Firestick, but still need to know which channel it's on?

Derek Powell 10 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:03:34

Bein sports 2 full commentary

Charles Brewer 11 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:05:07

Brian, yes this looks like the best answer for the coming season. Since I watch very little television it's not been top of my list, and frankly with the likely state of the Everton squad for 26-27, I have doubts I'll be watching much more!

Derek Powell 12 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:05:26

Moyes and his obsession with O’Brien at right back one stubborn man

Tom Bowers 13 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:10:52

Everton in white no score after 10 minutes.

Jack Convery 14 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:13:38

Ethan Wheatley is being tracked by EFC and we are expected to make a bid. So says Romano. He's a 20yr old CF. Valued at £250k by Transfermarket.

Andy Meighan 15 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:14:07

Bundesliga giants.

Er Just been promoted haven't they.

Gary Borrows 16 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:15:38

1st impressions after14 mins unbelievably unbalanced on the right side tactically inept playing long ball cheers Moysie

Clive Rogers 17 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:16:51

Thought it would be a back 3 with Rohl and Myk wingbacks. Is that not the case?

Andy Meighan 18 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:17:04

Derek 12.

One horrible man ive said this before and ill say it again, he hates Evertonians.

Practically said it when at his beloved dream job, that went well didnt it.

Tom Bowers 19 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:18:22

Sixteen minutes gone. Would be nice to see an attempt on goal..

Paul Kossoff 20 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:18:40

https://tv.hsv.de/detail/video/testspiele-live-hsv-vs-fc-everton-378

I don't know if that will work, lads, but I've got the game on there.

Derek Powell 21 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:20:40

Andy I hate the c**t should never have been brought back imo

Andrew Grey 22 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:20:46

http://www.fawanews.sc/Hamburger%20SV%20vs%20Everton.html

Alan McGuffog 23 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:21:31

You don't want much do you Tom. Attempt on goal indeed !

Charles Brewer 24 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:22:09

Marvellous Paul! Thank you.

I’d just about given up and gone o the Everton website and clicked through to the match coverage and got … 404!

Tom Bowers 25 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:22:55

Barry is so weak on the ball.

No strength.

Ian Pilkington 26 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:23:43

Just 3 weeks from the start of the season and we are starting with duds Barry and McNeil and poor old O'Brien at right-back.

Truly shocking.

Tom Bowers 27 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:24:11

We almost worked an opening through Hackney.

Tom Bowers 28 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:25:42

Time for a lager break.

Charles Brewer 29 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:25:51

I see they have adopted the mid half advertising break and it was just as popular as during the World Cup. Somehow I suspec they didn’t get much revenue from selling the slot

Andy Meighan 30 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:26:52

Derek spot on never wanted him back, but done a decent job the first 5 months, after that reverted to type.

Negative t..t that end of season collapse will stick in the craw for a long time, and the Sunderland home game was a disgrace, laid up for that after a knee replacement op and boy am I glad I didnt witness that.

Managers galore available at the end of last season, these Friedkins sat on their hands, no interest in Everton just the Hill Dickinson the new cash cow.

Fuck right off.

Tom Bowers 32 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:30:54

Hackney has skill but naturally a little off the pace Poor marking by Myko again. irregnonum looking good but Hamburg come close.

Charles Brewer 33 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:31:40

I see Everton are playing an "almost all, one or two, none" formation, probably with an option to go to Tuchel's "all, none, none" if by some miracle a goal was scored.

Ian Wilkins 34 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:33:02

That is our standard formation Charles. We don’t want to over commit…

Tom Bowers 35 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:33:06

Everton allowing Hamburg too much space around the box.

Tom Bowers 36 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:37:44

Playing two up front with one of them being Barry is painful to watch. I suppose we should be used to Moyes style by now.

Paul Kossoff 37 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:40:13

Great goal

Andrew Grey 38 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:40:24

Well done Barry and Rohl, nicely done.

Andrew Merrick 39 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:40:27

Ok goal

Derek Powell 41 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:40:55

Andy I suffered his first stint at Everton and was overjoyed when he went but sadly misread of moving n we progressed backward and I blame kenwrong for that

Edward Rogers 42 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:41:05

"Be nice to see an attempt on target".. That's us Fans' problem, wanting too much, next you'll be asking for goals!!!!

Tom Bowers 43 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:41:17

Nice run by Hackney and a good run by Irregnonum earlier but nobody free to pass to and the moves break down George breaks quickly on occasions from his midfield position and now a great goal by Rohl.

Tom Bowers 44 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:41:57

Goal goal goal

Paul Kossoff 45 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:42:03

Merlin with de magic. Great ball skill from Barry into the area best tero men slides the ball to Merlin who hooks th ball high into the net from six yards

Andrew Grey 46 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:42:05

Jack Convery 47 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:42:37

A GOAL. Allelujah ! God is Great. We worship you Oh Moyesiah.

Charles Brewer 48 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:42:43

Actually a very good goal, but with some significant technical errors!

Clive Rogers 49 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:44:30

Can’t believe the clown is playing O’Brien at fullback again.

Tom Bowers 50 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:46:01

So now can we get another very quickly. Barry wins a corner on 43 minutes. Apart from his goal Rohl is looking really good.

John Collins 51 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:47:42

V Palace. Obrien right back. Rohl right midfield. A cert.

Tom Bowers 52 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:47:54

O'Brien wins a corner on 45 minutes and then a shot from George wins another corner.

Jack Convery 53 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:52:00

We opened like the Red Sea then. Jake and Merl the Pearl getting their lines mixed up. Still we are winning.

Jeff Armstrong 54 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:53:08

Why doesn’t Moyes give the O’Brien Branthwaite partnership a try, surely that’s the future.

Tom Bowers 55 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:53:56

A decent half in the end but they still need to close down quicker around the box and Hamburg get shots away too easily.

Iain Johnston 56 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:55:18

Nice goal, pleased for the lad. Anyone who can score for us in a Moyes side deserves a medal.

Ajay Gopal 57 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:56:04

I have a feeling (knock on wood), that Barry is going to come good for us. Let us cheer him on, nothing to lose, eh?

Michael Kenrick Editorial Team 58 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:56:31

Ooo, a lot of you on here this afternoon...

I should've opened up the Live Forum.

Charles Brewer 59 Posted 01/08/2026 at 16:59:40

I am assuming the streaming coverage is being run by the Hamburg club, it's very good and I think Everton could learn a lot from it.

John Collins 60 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:01:50

£7 million? A pattern is emerging.

Charles Brewer 61 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:02:09

Michael, given most of the quality of the first half, we could probably have had the earliest cheese / fish / Costa in Old Swan exchanges ever recorded any season.

Bill Gall 62 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:02:38

I think a lot of supporters were looking for your live forum Michael

Phil Roberts 63 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:08:04

I love the comments on here about O'Brien at Right Back.

Mainly because there is not one suggestion of who to play there today if it is not O'Brien. Röhl maybe, Tim maybe, perhaps try Beto or McNeil. Maybe we should just not have a Right Back and play with just 10 players.

Honestly, I dispair. It is like saying, I am supporting Liverpool today because Everton are not playing.

Charles Brewer 64 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:11:05

Well that looked inevitable.

Phil Roberts 65 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:11:30

Anyone seen the goal on Club's FB page?

Barry battled well even if he did a Bambi impression at first, and then a backheel to Merlin to score.

Kevin Molloy 66 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:11:33

and sure enough the feel good factor lasts less than 15 minutes.

Jack Convery 67 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:11:52

Defending is abysmal to say the least.

Paul Griffiths 68 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:12:17

Jesus lad you just scored in a friendly not the World Cup

John Hall 69 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:12:30

Live forum up and running!

Paul Kossoff 71 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:15:14

Why is the keeper not taking the goal kicks? So casually giving the ball away, and Everton's lightweight attempts to regain possession not good enough.

Paul Kossoff 72 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:22:26

Barry, it's the frame with a net in it, for fk sake!

Colin Davidson 73 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:23:12

When we getting a proper manager and right back? Years of waiting….

Paul Griffiths 74 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:27:20

Saw my first ever dead body in Hamburg.

Alan McGuffog 75 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:30:06

Could he play right back Paul ?

Andrew Merrick 76 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:34:42

Jesus Barry, what a ball in from Kdh, Barry watched..

Paul Griffiths 77 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:34:52

Hang on, I'll ask him. He's quicker than Keane.

Phil Roberts 78 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:36:02

Christy, will you stop saying play O'Brien should be centre half, without saying who you want as RB. We all know that and I think Moyes does but if there is no one to play there, what do you want him to do?

Tom Bowers 79 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:36:45

Why is Barry still on ?

Tom Bowers 80 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:38:11

Wad that a Barry effort. Glad he's still on.

Paul Griffiths 81 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:40:47

O'Brien at right-back just does my head in

Tom Bowers 82 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:41:06

Tremendous crowd for a nothing friendly. Rohl has had a fine game.

Tom Bowers 83 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:50:38

Tremendous crowd for a nothing friendly. Rohl has had a fine game. If we had any kind of decent finishers we could have thrashed this Hamburg side.

Paul Griffiths 84 Posted 01/08/2026 at 17:53:58

This is the closest that we will get to European football on the continent for a while

Minik Hansen 85 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:01:59

#20 Thanks for the link, Paul. I tried to find and pay for the game on OS, but couldn't find anything. Enjoy your evening, blues.

Minik Hansen 86 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:02:07

#20 Thanks for the link, Paul. I tried to find and pay for the game on OS, but couldn't find anything. Enjoy your evening, blues.

Sean O\\\'Hanlon 87 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:04:50

There was a game early last season, can't remember against who, when Moyes must have been on the Buckfast, and he paired Branthwaite with Jake at CB, and it was one of the best defensive performances I've seen from Everton for a very long time! I immediately thought, he's sorted out his defensive partnership at last! But it was all a pipe dream - and now I'm hooked on Buckfast as I witness Moyes destroy our team.

Sean Kearns 88 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:06:14

Aznou looks better than Mykolenko.

Moyes can't ignore him much longer.

Tom Bowers 89 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:09:00

I don't mind the opposition scoring for us. Great finish, lad.

I picked up the game on Soccer TV which is on an IPTV box but it must be picking up a feed from Merseyside as they had Tony Hibbett giving his views.

Jay Harris 90 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:25:41

Thoughts on the game.

Harrison Armstrong looked better than Hackney, but Hackney is yet to get match fit.

Rohl had a fine game in various roles.

Aznou looked fast and keen much better impact than Myko.

Tyrique George looks better with every game.

Fine cameo from Braiden Graham who caused the second goal with his endeavours.

Tim and Charlie both looked fairly good.

Dibling looked slightly better i.e. improved from atrocious to just below average.

Geoff Trenner 91 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:42:30

Really enjoying watching Merlin. Shades of Viera the way he carries the ball. Perhaps I’m getting a little carried away? Young Graham looked v lively in his cameo

Andrew Merrick 92 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:49:55

Some positives, still need a right back and centre forward though. But weve got another midfielder coming...

Jeff Armstrong 93 Posted 01/08/2026 at 18:58:14

Is it good business to get rid of Gaye then spend £7 million on a replacement probably with similar wages, who’s arguably not as good as Gueye, personally I’d have given Idrissa another year . PG #73 mine was a jumper on the M62

Bobby Mallon 94 Posted 01/08/2026 at 19:15:53

Everton/ Friedkins go and get Everton supporter Eddie How.

Geoff Trenner 95 Posted 01/08/2026 at 19:17:43

Jeff @ 92. We’ll see. He is a younger than Gueye and more of a leader, I can see him giving the slackers a real earful! Better going forward and certainly a better passer.

Ged Simpson 96 Posted 01/08/2026 at 19:48:46

Had a beer with two lifelong and reasonable Blues at lunchtime.

Consensus?

1. All of us sick of Moyes.

2. Big doubts about owners actually wanting us to win anything.

3. As I have said here before, first season in 65 I am not excited about upcoming campaign. And my two mates agreed.

And then we beat Hamburg and of course, as a daft and fickle Blue, my optimism returns.

Just sack Moyes and my heart may race!

Raymond Fox 97 Posted 01/08/2026 at 20:25:14

That was decent, give Rohl a better contract he will prove worth it.

There's another month left for signings, I'm sure we will see some more new faces by the end.

Shaun Parker 98 Posted 01/08/2026 at 20:39:52

I truly believe that Moyes now believes that O'Brien is the right back we are all craving for... 🙈

Ian Bennett 99 Posted 01/08/2026 at 20:50:01

Norgaard is reportedly on £65k a week at Arsenal, Gana was £100-120k a week.

Doucoure, Gana, Calvert-Lewin etc are a number of high earners taken off the wage bill.

Jeff Armstrong 100 Posted 01/08/2026 at 21:18:01

But factor in the £7M fee?

Can't be arsed doing the maths tbh but I still think Gana was the better option for now.

Mike Gaynes 101 Posted 01/08/2026 at 21:26:40

Shaun, Garner had "minor" groin surgery.

Not sure how you define groin surgery as minor. Reportedly will return to training around the start of the season, which likely means he will miss the first couple games.

Paul Hewitt 102 Posted 01/08/2026 at 21:27:54

Some people on here would never have signed Paul power, Richard Gough or Gareth Barry

Jeff Armstrong 103 Posted 01/08/2026 at 21:35:57

PH # 100,

On that basis, can we get rid of Tarkowski and Keane to some other grateful club, everyone a winner.

Jay Lewis 104 Posted 01/08/2026 at 21:56:15

Paul @100 I don't care about age, to be honest, mate, but find it funny some people say Grealish is too old but Norgaard is a good signing? Make that make sense?

What bothers me is we're signing another midfielder but we all know that the priority should be right-back and a striker.

I think Moyes is sabotaging us on purpose for some unknown reason.

Jeff Armstrong 105 Posted 01/08/2026 at 22:28:11

Jay 103, obviously Moyes believes the season is won or lost in midfield, hence,Armstrong,Alcaraz,Dewsbury Hall, Irogbunem,Dibling,Garner,George, Hackney,McNeil,Norgard,Rohl, Grealish? and just 2 strikers, who are both pretty average, Wtf.

Jay Lewis 106 Posted 01/08/2026 at 22:35:50

I don't know, Jeff? 🤣

2 strikers pretty average? You're being terribly generous to them both there like, haha!

I'd take 1 Peter Reid and 1 Kevin Sheedy right now. An Adrian Heath/Graeme Sharp and a Gary Stevens would be a fucking bonus!

Martin Berry 107 Posted 01/08/2026 at 00:23:11

Merlin Rohl, the new Michael Ballack, I keep telling you but you take no notice!

Phil Smith 108 Posted 01/08/2026 at 00:25:58

Dibling looked good in flashes and needs more game time.

Same as Aznou. He needs to start next game!

Si Cooper 109 Posted 01/08/2026 at 00:34:52

I missed the first 17 minutes but saw the rest of the game (official club feed worked seamlessly) and quite enjoyed it (including Alan Stubbs on commentary and Hibbo's punditry from the ‘studio').

Not sure exactly how good Hamburg are but they made it into an open game, although it wasn't so much end to end as alternating 5-10 minute slots where one side was dominant.

We deserved the victory in my opinion. Some good slick play, proper quick passing and triangles to move the ball and opponents about. Midfielder's all delivered some hope for the coming season.

O'Brien gave his usual dependable but limited output at right-back, Aznou should be getting 15-20 minutes (at least) routinely, Harrison and George look like they are maturing at an accelerated rate, Braiden Graham showed his great natural instincts (but is extremely lightweight), Hackney looked at home (but a bit casual on occasion).

Barry had some nice touches but was anonymous most of the time and I still can't see him improving enough to be what we need.

A better right-back (than any of the current options), more cover in general defensively, and a 20-goal-a-season striker. There's still time for that, isn't there?

Dale Self 110 Posted 01/08/2026 at 00:42:05

Martin, I like that comparison. Merlin seems a bit more agile.

And forgive me, I looked it up to confirm first, but Ballack was much bigger. He was so technically gifted his bulk didn't show.

Merlin does look to be where we could see some real growth in football quality this season. Dewsbury-Hall working well to provide George his chances is another.

Eric Myles 111 Posted 02/08/2026 at 02:09:57

Phil #63 & #68.

Patterson, a right back, was on the bench according to MK's team sheet.

There's nothing down for the lad if he can't even get 10 minutes in a friendly.

Anthony Dwyer 112 Posted 02/08/2026 at 02:15:56

Rohl had a great game, best player on the park by a mile, looked excellent all game especially when on the right and left to roam around the park.

Looks good travelling with the ball, strong and pacey, never a right-back as he can't tackle, but when put on the right mid/wing looks at his best.

Hopefully coming into his own and ready for a big season, but anyone calling him Ballack must not have seen Ballack in Germany.

Sean Herbert 113 Posted 02/08/2026 at 02:58:34

Eric @ 111, the Patterson on the bench was Jack Patterson, a defender from the U21 squad. Not Nathan Patterson.

I believe Nathan Patterson is still on holiday following the World Cup.

Derek Thomas 114 Posted 02/08/2026 at 03:59:23

2-1 away to a decent-ish German team and a game played at a fair pace to get some more milage into the legs - what's not to like?

There's still 3 weeks to go and up to now there's been no short term-ism signings of over paid Arl Arses...yes Jack, I'm looking at you. Stones has gone to Italy, so that's a load off my mind.

Rohl looks like a fixture now wide on the right, Moyes will like the fact that he will keep the opposition attacker(s) busy on that side and reduce O'Brien's potential for exposure - who really needs a proper Right Back any way?

Nobody mention the Left Back, Mid Field, Striker deficiencies or Branthwaite's potential as a sick note and we'll be sound.

Eric Myles 115 Posted 02/08/2026 at 05:37:39

Thanks Sean, but weren't Scotland knocked out early doors?

Jeff Armstrong 116 Posted 02/08/2026 at 06:07:14

Didn't Nathan Patterson play the last 10 minutes at right-back when O'Brien went off with cramp?

Paul Griffiths 117 Posted 02/08/2026 at 06:59:40

He came on at 90 minutes, Jeff, for Jake O'Brien.

Michael Kenrick 118 Posted 02/08/2026 at 07:05:48

Huh, I musta missed that.

They said Jake would have to go off... but then he was fine after that, I thought?

Just watched that bit again, they didn't show Patterson coming on but he's there after the restart following the goal and they confirmed it a minute later.

And he's wearing No 2 so it's Nathan, not Jake.

Jeff Armstrong 119 Posted 02/08/2026 at 07:16:00

Yes he deffo came on, he got involved in one passage of play right near the end, the commentary also mentioned him coming on too.

It was just that posters 111&113 said he wasn't even there, I thought I was going doollally.

Paul Griffiths 120 Posted 02/08/2026 at 07:54:35

Nope JA, you and Michael are right.

Any word on Jarrad? Was it nothing significant?

Sean Herbert 121 Posted 02/08/2026 at 08:14:40

It is Nathan, I was completely wrong there. I obviously didn't read things correctly

Paul Griffiths 122 Posted 02/08/2026 at 08:19:23

6 Hail Marys Sean H

Malcolm Kitchen 123 Posted 02/08/2026 at 09:20:14

Decent win, some positives. Derek (114) midfield deficiencies? Who, it's our strongest area! I'd like to see George Finney RB again, he played 30 mins there at Dundee, we have options but some managers just won't play those options! Koeman with the LB issue, now Moyes with his luv in with O'Brien. Last 7 games he could have played Nathan or Seamus at RB but knbhd didn't. Preseason is partly a time for our u21's to impress, but they need mins! Moyes did play 5 kids v Dundee fair dos, but Bolton & Stoke reverted to type! Like to see Joel Catesby & Martin the Sherif get some mins. Having 3 keepers on the bench y'day was laughable! Roll on next Satdee 😀💙⚽

Charles Brewer 124 Posted 02/08/2026 at 09:52:44

Excellent report but I feel Graham’s contribution was understated. In fact, what happened was he anticipated a pass and was onto it like a rocket. This wasn’t just a misplaced pass but something which we have rarely seen recently a player taking a chance on catching the other side out through anticipation.

Indeed for a moment, I thought I had seen a reincarnation of Alan Ball in an Everton shirt. What we wouldn’t give for that!

Brian Harrison 125 Posted 02/08/2026 at 09:55:05

I didn't watch the game but delighted with the win and most who have commented said we deserved to win. But for me the same worry I have had about our striking options is still prevalent, we have played all the attackers we have apart from Ndaiye and so far against Bolton, Stoke and Hamburg none have yet scored a goal. Even if Grealish returns, yes he will keep hold of the ball in the opponents half but he only scored 2 league goals last season. I hope we have more options than swapping Barry and Beto for the main striking role.I think the Noorgard signing is a positive. Just lets sign a couple of goal scoring forwards.

Mark Steers 126 Posted 02/08/2026 at 10:24:51

I think Merlin Rohl could be a top player. He has so much pace and energy but my only worry is where can we play him? He doesn't seem to have a special position. Moyes must love him -- he can ask him to play a few positions through the game and Merlin seems like, "Yes, I can do that!" -- and he looks like he can.

People on TW just moan all the time but Everton will be much higher this season, that is a cert. The squad is getting stronger and if Moyes uses the young lads a bit more, we will be okay.

I've been banging the right-back drum for 4 seasons because the guy we had was useless but at least he has finally gone. Come on, Moyes, sort it out. We need Jarrad and Jake in the centre of defence.

Phil Roberts 127 Posted 02/08/2026 at 11:59:53

Yeah we need a 20-goal-a-season striker.

From where???

Kane, Haaland, Mbappé, Muriqi, Thiago, Lepaul were the only ones in Europe to score 20 or more.

Some of us really do live in a fantasy world. Personally, I would be happy with a 17-goal-a-season striker.

Steve Brown 128 Posted 02/08/2026 at 12:07:17

8 goals 9 assists is what we need if Ndiaye and Grealish are not here next season.

Let's start with that.

As for goalscorers, Igor Thiago scored 22 league goals for Brentford and cost £30M. Value is out there if Cox and Smith are capable of looking for it.

Sean Kelly 129 Posted 02/08/2026 at 13:39:15

Let's face it, folks, none of our ace recruitment team would recognise a striker if they saw one. Apparently they have identified this Wheatley from Man Utd to fill for Bill and Bob. The lad who is supposed to be a future star striker couldn't hit a barn door in the lower leagues.

For fuck's sake, Everton, get real and keep Moyes and his family away from recruitment. There is value out there but only if you are shopping in Lidl or Aldi.