Seasons2016-17Everton News
Everton coast to friendly win over MK Dons

MK Dons 1 - 3 Everton
Strikes by Gerard Deulofeu, Kevin Mirallas and Muhamed Besic (the first and last goals may have technically been own goals) lifted the Blues to their third pre-season win.
Brendan Galloway was named among the substitutes by manager Ronald Koeman and eventually made it onto the field as a substitute among a raft of changes with an hour gone and the score at 2-1.
Koeman selected Ramiro Funes Mori and Matthew Pennington as the central defensive pairing in the starting XI. Maarten Stekelenburg was in goal, Seamus Coleman returned at right back, Bryan Oviedo played at left back and Tom Davies moved into his more natural central midfield berth.
Up front, Shani Tarashaj started alongside Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas but came off at half time with an injury. John Stones was on the bench after missing the game at Barnsley through injury.
In terms of absentees, none of the club's three strikers from last season travelled with the squad. Romelu Lukaku remains on his summer break until next Monday while Arouna Kone and Oumar Niasse were again omitted.
Other notable omissions were defensive midfielders Gareth Barry and James McCarthy, with both rumoured to be carrying slight knocks picked up in training or, in the latter's case, a continuation of the muscle problems that affected his preparations for Euro2016.
Everton got off to a great start when a Keystone Cops moment in the home defence gifted them a goal in the second minute.
Deulofeu raced into a poor back-pass where the ball squirmed through the legs of the MK Dons keeper and the Spaniard beat him to the ball which ended up in the net with the help of a covering defender.
Deulofeu turned provider eight minutes later with a superb ball into the box for Mirallas but the Belgian over-elaborated a touch and the chance was lost as he was closed down in front of goal.
Daniel Powell had MK Dons' first sight of goal but he dragged a 14th-minute effort wide of Stekelenburg's goal before Deulofeu put Mirallas in again with a terrific chance but with just the 'keeper to beat he side-footed weakly and it was easily saved.
After a tame Carruthers shot was saved at one end, Everton doubled their lead after 20 minutes when Deulofeu raced down the right flank, beating the fullback for pace and cutting it back for Barkley to side-footed home from a central position.
The Dons' best chance to that point came shortly afterwards with a direct free-kick attempt that Stekelenburg pawed away from his near post with a one-handed stop.
The Dutchman was beaten, however, a few minutes later when Rasulo swept an excellent shot into the top corner from the edge of the box as the Blues' defence backed off a little.
The second half could have seen two goals inside five minutes when a shot took a heavy deflection off Funes Mori and Maynard seized on the loose ball but Stekelenburg was off his line quickly to smother the ball.
At the other end, a lovely touch by Mirallas saw him lay it off to Deulofeu but the Belgian miscued the Spaniard's cutback from the left and his shot sliced wide of goal.
Koeman made a number of changes with an hour gone, which saw all the outfield players bar Deulofeu go off but they didn't result in further changes until Holgate popped up at the far post but his header was saved.
A minute later, McGeady missed an absolute sitter when he found himself unmarked in front of goal with the whole net to aim at but he put it straight at the keeper after great work down the left by Baines.
Everton sealed the win late on when good work by Dowell ended with Lennon surging forward and clipping a cross in that Besic headed in off the defender in front of him.
Everton: Stekelenburg, Coleman {c} (Holgate 61'), Pennington (Galloway 61'), Funes Mori (Stones 61'), Oviedo (Baines 61'), Tarashaj (McGeady 46'), Cleverley (Besic 61'), Davies (Gibson 61'), Mirallas (Lennon 61'), Barkley (Dowell 61'), Deulofeu (Grant 80')
Subs not used: Robles, Hewelt
Reader Comments (68)
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2 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:02:04
3 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:03:40
4 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:05:25
5 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:07:05
Interesting line up with presumably Tarasaj and Delofeu up front.
Good opportunity for Pennington to show his worth
6 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:07:39
7 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:07:56
Come to think of it, seeing as he was supposidly such a nice guy, Roberto fell out with a lot of players. Hull will do well to avoid him.
I'm interested to know how many of you have signed up to get the pre season games on EvertonTV? I couldn't be arsed this year.
8 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:10:07
I signed up for it, as I do every year.
Quality was good apart from a 10 minute iffy spell with the streaming.
Much better than the early days.
10 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:13:48
Also Stecklenburg starting, wonder if Robles is now No.2 again.
11 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:15:31
I'm still waiting to 'feel' something about the new season... With a new manager etc I should be more interested than I am.
I must be getting old!
12 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:21:23
13 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:21:46
Join the club.
I have been following the team since 1960 and ups and downs doesnt even come close.
From the Frustration of the 70's to the euphoria of the 80's and the depression of the 90's.
I feel very optimistic about this new regime but it is tinged with apprehension after all the previous false dawns.
14 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:22:16
http://cricfree.tv/watch/live/everton-fc-vs-mk-dons-live-streaming
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/#sport/soccer-futbol/type/upcoming/
15 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:25:49
For any exiled Toffees in the States (like me), it's on ESPN3 (website) as long as you are subscribed to ESPN through your cable/satellite provider. They had the first 2 friendlies on already — same EFC TV commentary team, so I suppose Everton sold the rights to ESPN.
16 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:26:23
17 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:39:58
18 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:42:40
19 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:46:18
Via Mobdro/Kodi.
20 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:46:53
21 Posted 26/07/2016 at 19:51:27
22 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:09:31
23 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:15:49
24 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:43:20
25 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:48:28
26 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:48:45
(Helmet on)
27 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:51:24
29 Posted 26/07/2016 at 20:55:08
Del boy is really enyoying his game and two goals in 20 mins is okay but we've conceeded a goal in preseason.
Kelvin should not too eager to score and not waste chance upon chance.
30 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:04:01
31 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:08:47
32 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:10:47
33 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:15:55
Don't think his lack of consistency over his career can be blamed on Martinez.
34 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:25:21
He's been the same all through his career. Shows flashes of skill but he needs more than. I could be wrong and he'll show that he can do a lot more, and I hope I am, but I seriously doubt it.
36 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:32:04
37 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:37:44
38 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:44:03
Why isn't Kone in the squad and why hasn't Lukaku reported back this week?
Thought Holgate and Conor Grant stood out again as did Barkley, Deulofeu and Baines.
Galloway had a much better showing and Besic grew into the game.
Davies, Pennington, Tarashaj and Dowell didn't do themselves justice tonight.
39 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:53:10
Koeman will offload him if he can.
Jay @ 38 - if Lukaku is not back at the club by Friday, I reckon something's up .
40 Posted 26/07/2016 at 21:59:12
Andy, the downer on McGeady is because he's never been good enough.
41 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:08:38
42 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:17:49
43 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:22:11
Anticipation from Ross has got to be better.
44 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:23:41
45 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:30:02
Davies continues to show promise, he shows real intent and puts proper effort into his performances.
Our midfield/forward line - hard to say how that will all shape up when the season kicks off, but hopefully, come Spurs, the manager will have a good idea of what will work best (some of the shooting tonight from 4 or 5 of them was woeful).
McGeady looks like he's got some kind of problem (taps temple) here.
My only real concern right now is our defence (including keeper).
I don't mean our defence tonight, I mean what's possible with the defenders in our squad.
The best 5/4 I can pick in my head are followed up with me saying.. 'really?'
Oh and as a unit, I don't believe we're physically as strong (50/50s, shoulder-to-shoulder, headers etc) as Stoke, Swansea, Leicester, West Ham...
Time will tell I suppose.
46 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:33:49
47 Posted 26/07/2016 at 22:55:59
48 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:05:44
I recall a team that won every friendly leading up to Euro 2016, and guess what happened to them against other 'lesser' opposition???
49 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:07:26
Interesting he thinks Del is the main option if Lukaku leaves. Most interestingly he didn't mention anything about possible incomings. I like the way he's playing his cards close to his chest.
50 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:14:30
According to Phil Kirkbride at the Echo , Lukaku has already returned to Finch Farm this week to begin pre season training.
If he's right the club kept that quiet !
51 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:18:45
52 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:19:04
I thought the new keeper looked pretty solid too its just the wreck he's got infront of him though. I thought we looked pretty poor / shit at the back. We need a no nonsense centre half who sees balls coming over and just heads them out for fun and commands the others around him. And quick. In my opinion.
As for Holibobs Lukaku not back till Monday? What is that all about? I guess he agent would know...
Lots of work to do still, but I think Ron might have a plan we've just got to sit it out.
53 Posted 26/07/2016 at 23:20:42
(Geddit? ohh suit yourself dear.)
54 Posted 27/07/2016 at 00:07:14
56 Posted 27/07/2016 at 03:03:16
"A goalkeeper, and a centre half who can go and head the fucking ball, and organize, have got to be our main priorities."
I think finding a rock of a centre half is the biggest need. Stones might be the most over rated centre half ever. A nice footballer but can not defend reliably.
57 Posted 27/07/2016 at 04:31:15
I'm sure signing will come in thick an fast very soon but we are left with little time to bed in the newcomers. I trust Mr Walsh and Koeman to get their players. COYB!
58 Posted 27/07/2016 at 07:26:19
OK, I know the fact that McGeady missed an absolute sitter is no surprise, but what in heaven's name was he even doing on the bench, let alone on the pitch?
59 Posted 27/07/2016 at 07:55:04
Unless we see this as the start of a longer-term improvement at Everton. It's not all about the first six months or so.
60 Posted 27/07/2016 at 09:34:48
61 Posted 27/07/2016 at 09:56:14
On another note, I was quite impressed with MK Dons stadium. It would put half the Premier League grounds to shame. The facilities, ease of parking and seating (cushioned) were superb.
62 Posted 27/07/2016 at 10:15:17
It was a typical pre-season friendly, played at slow pace but it was good to run the rule over a few new and up-and-coming faces:
A lot has been said about Davies but he didn't shine tonight, the vast majority of his touches were sideways or backwards, it's only one game though and he's got potential. Holgate looked good, Deulofeu was easily my MotM, though it's apparent we need additional striking options as it seems by Koeman's comments that it's over for Niasse and Kone.
Stekelenburg looked assured but Pennington and Funes Mori backed off for their goal, the opportunity coming from Ross losing the ball further up the pitch. Saying that, Ross looked strong and committed.
I spent a bit of time watching McGeady, his confidence is shot. He spent a lot of time getting into positions he knew he wouldn't get the ball and his missed sitter summed him up. His time with us looks like it's coming to an end.
63 Posted 27/07/2016 at 10:21:53
64 Posted 27/07/2016 at 10:29:28
Its hard to judge, Everton changed 6/7 players at the same time, so it wasnt as fluid as first half. Dowell looked good when he came on.
One thing I didnt like was Delufeo shouting at one of our younger players for a bad pass - he went into a hissy fit. I think he needs to have someone take him aside and tell him to wind his neck in.
Great to see Coleman as captain.
65 Posted 27/07/2016 at 10:52:44
Koeman said after the match that he was not happy, which better than the "phenomenal" bullshit we have had to listen to for the last couple of years.
McGeady is crap; I think we might struggle to get rid of him. I actually think that there are a few players, playing for their future at the club. Oviedo, McGeady, Cleverley... It looks like Kone, Barry and Niasse might already be gone.
66 Posted 27/07/2016 at 10:54:59
Deulofeu was the star of the show but Barkley, Tarashaj, Mirallas & Davies also looked good. Nice to see a goalkeeper who will come off the line to claim a corner. Not something we have seen in a long time. Stekelenburg is an improvement on Robles, very solid.
Stones & Galloway looked very solid in the second half. Stones did not look like a player just coasting ready for a transfer. Holgate is definitely our best bet for a right back after Coleman.
67 Posted 27/07/2016 at 11:04:00
Yes, it was only MK Dons, yes it was pre-season and yes at times the players looked a bit rusty and the fluidity wasn't always there - particularly in the second half after the mass change. That's normal for these type of matches.
However, even despite all of the above, I walked away quite impressed with what I saw. I thought we already look sharper and are playing with more purpose / tempo. All of the players seem fitter and leaner - even McGeady!!
Ross at times looked a different level on the ball - add consistency and he will become the player many believe he will be.
Stones oozed class and again looked a different level; nice to see him go towards and show appreciation to the fantastic following (3000 + for a midweek friendly 3hrs away from Merseyside...not bad!!). I'm not reading anything into that, it was just good to see from a player that, according to most media outlets, has requested to leave. At least he is acting professionally and respectfully if that is the case.
Must mention the keeper; when he was called upon, he pulled off a few really good point blank saves and seemed commanding. This is after all, someone who has appeared in a World Cup final. Good back up or astute business?
68 Posted 27/07/2016 at 12:08:50
69 Posted 27/07/2016 at 14:10:28
Seamus Coleman has been quoted this week as saying 'We need time to change our style to suit the new boss". I think it is essential they do this quickly because there are still a lot of Martinez's bad habits on show today.
70 Posted 27/07/2016 at 14:18:05
72 Posted 28/07/2016 at 05:21:15
73 Posted 28/07/2016 at 12:54:19
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1 Posted 26/07/2016 at 18:57:53