Everton finish Australia Tour on a high note

23/11/2022 93comments  |  Jump to last
Western Sydney Wndrs 1 - 5 Everton

Anthony Gordon gets to take home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick against the local side in Sydney

Tom Cannon scored his first goal for the first team and Anthony Gordon bagged an impressive hat-trick as Everton won the second of their two games in Australia today.

The other goal came from Neal Maupay who opened the scoring in what was a good workout for the Blues in a 5-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. The striker finished off a nicely-worked move involving Abdoulaye Doucouré who found Nathan Patterson on the overlap and his cross was nodded into the far corner by Maupay from a central position.

The hosts levelled shortly afterwards but it wasn't long before Gordon put the visitors back ahead. Doucoure's shot was saved by the goalkeeper but when Everton retained possession and Demarai Gray's reverse pass picked out the Mali international, the latter's cut-back was knocked in from close range by Gordon.

Gordon got his second after Dwight McNeil had sent him racing away down the right flank on the counter-attack. Gray's shot was saved but the keeper could only palm it into the path of Gordon who easily slotted home with 58 minutes gone.

Article continues below video content


Cannon came off the bench and his predatory instincts helped him get on the scoresheet seven minutes later. Stanley Mills's low drive looked to be a routine save by the goalie but he spilt it in front of goal and Cannon converted.

Gordon's hat-trick came at the end of another counter, with McNeil powering forward before laying the ball off to his team-mate on the left and Gordon did the rest, cutting inside and placing a shot inside the far post to round off the scoring in the 90th minute.

Frank Lampard was encouraged by the performance which yielded goals where Everton had been unable to score against Celtic on Sunday, saying that it's a confidence-booster to take back to England where he, his staff and players will have a month to work on how they will approach the resumption of the Premier League season after the World Cup.

"[I]t’s been great for the tour, good for the confidence of the team. the manager said. We’ve had two challenging games in different ways. There was the heat and the jetlag and good opposition, obviously.

"Tonight was probably [going to be] a team that we expected would defend a bit deeper and we had to be better on the ball, control the game and we did that. We were clinical, which was nice."

Everton: Begovic (46' Lonergan), Patterson, Holgate (69' Welch), Tarkowski (46' Keane), Vinagre (75' Anderson), Doucoure (75' Quirk), Price [Y:57'], McNeil, Gordon, Gray (64' Mills), Maupay (64' Cannon).

Subs not Used: Crellin, Mykolenko.

 

Reader Comments (93)

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Neil Lawson
1 Posted 23/11/2022 at 08:53:08
An extremely informative summary!

Mind you, what is there to say?

Just post the result of the penalty shoot-out later.

Mike Corcoran
2 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:00:58
1-0 Maupay live on bet365.com
Mike Corcoran
4 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:15:16
2-1 Gordon
Michael Lynch
5 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:16:37
That was a lovely goal to be fair. I think we've found our level here.
Dave Abrahams
6 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:17:04
Who scored for the Wanderers, Mike?
Michael Lynch
7 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:21:42
Isaac Price has a great pass in him.
Lee Jamieson
8 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:34:44
I think Begovic's distribution has been really good. He has found Gray, Maupay and Gordon a lot of the time.
Lee Robinson
9 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:38:15
Good half, we looked sharp. Stand out's were Maupay, Price, McNeil and Vinagre.

McNeil playing a more central or free role and spraying nice balls around as well as a great cross at one point.

Gordon and Gray look full of energy but that final top quality cross or shot is lacking to make us clinical.

I'd like to see MIlls and Cannon get a full half of football on as a sub.

Christine Foster
10 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:43:52
Can't get a decent stream... rubbish.
Roger Bingham
11 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:47:33
Half-time, looking sharp. Anthony up for it.
Danny O’Neill
12 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:48:27
Off topic, just heard the news that David Johnson has passed away.
Barry McNally
13 Posted 23/11/2022 at 09:50:44
Dave 6,

Najjarine scored for WSW.

The Everton goals are on the official Twitter account – you don't need to have an account to watch them.

Lee Jamieson
14 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:05:42
Three one to us now, Cannon and Mills on too.
Michael Lynch
15 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:19:47
Mills and Cannon have both missed sitters. All the youngsters have looked good, but for a lack of composure in the box at times.

Darren Hind
16 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:29:17
Christine

You'll get it on Bet 365. Unfortunately you need an account.

4/1 now

Paul Birmingham
17 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:30:07
Great scoreline today, and very sad news about David Johnson, I met him a few times at the gee-gees in the 1990s.
Peter Carpenter
18 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:32:22
4-1 Can we join this league?
Michael Lynch
19 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:34:18
Nice to see Gordon get a hat-trick.

I'm not sure I've learnt much from watching this. Maybe that Price is the pick of the youngsters, and that we'd probably dominate the Australian A-League.

Lee Jamieson
20 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:36:53
Good game that Gordon played well. Michael Keane looks awful and needs to go in January. Cannon looks a real prospect and Price too.

The squad looks relaxed and like they have enjoyed the tournament. Hopefully a few January signings and we go again.

Lee Robinson
21 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:38:38
From what I've seen of the youngsters, although raw, they can be relied upon and should be used much more.

They all seem comfortable on the ball and tend to make the right pass forward more than often than not, a quality bunch coming though.

Price was full of confidence, it was great to see. Special mention to McNeil who played like a senior player and Gordon was massively up for it.

Dan Murphy
22 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:48:59
Enjoyed that. Was hoping for a bit more of a show once all the kids were on. Thanks to the club and the players for coming down under. Good in the media and with the fans.

Let's hope seeing what Everton means to 1000s of people out here and the bonding among the lads gives them extra lift for the rest of the season. COYB!

John Pickles
23 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:49:34
That's as many as we have scored in the last 9 matches (including the 3 against Palace). We've found our level.
Paul Hewitt
24 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:49:47
Can we play them every week.?
Joe Hurst
25 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:53:57
I was talking about this with my wife (another Blue of course):

“We've won 5-1!”
“Who were we playing?" she asks....
“Western Sydney Wanderers” I reply.
“Where are they from?” is the response.
“The clue is in the name,” I answer.

“Yeah, but with ‘Wanderers', they could be from anywhere…. Perth?”

(Life with a Blue…)

Phill Thompson
26 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:58:41
Well it's nice to see such a performance, even given the opposition. The hat-trick from Gordon will really boost him. Isaac Price had a fine game, really showing what he can do when he's got more space to work in.

It's nice to be positive again after a Blues match!

Dan Murphy
27 Posted 23/11/2022 at 10:59:39
Hi, long-time lurker first-time commenter.

Just watched a dominant enjoyable game but thought I'd come on here to have a moan about Michael Keane, McNeil, Kenwright, Moyesey, Tony Hibbert, Osman etc.

Thanks.

Tony Everan
28 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:01:02
A good confidence boost and work out. Same result against another Wanderers on Boxing Day would go down well.
Jim Bennings
29 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:05:21
Not sure I'd call it a confidence boost, beating this nonentity opposition.

I'd rather see them do it Boxing Day, then turn up at Man City with an attitude that isn't the usual "Oh… it's Man City, isn't it."

Let's see them show us they mean business.

Barry Rathbone
31 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:10:33
The "dingos of war" will return home in glory!
Dave Williams
32 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:21:38
Jim, smile for heaven's sake, we scored five goals all from open play!!

We should have done this to Bournemouth and to Inchy's lot in the US – what was the difference I wonder?? Try young players with a point to prove and what looked like a motivated Anthony Gordon.

Okay, it means nothing but important that we showed we can score goals.
Well done boys!!

Rob Halligan
33 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:35:47
Dave, I think some would rather we lost so that they could have a real good moan on here.

Play the kids, get some shots on target, score some goals, get the ball forward a lot quicker. Okay, only Isaac Price started, but Mills and Cannon got a good 30 minutes playing time, with Joe Anderson, Reece Welch and Seb Quirk also getting a run-out.

We had plenty of shots, scored some good goals and zipped the ball forward, particularly from Dwight McNeil and Tarkowski. Anthony Gordon made some decent forward runs throughout the game, with McNeil, Patterson and even Doucoure (now and again) getting forward a lot.

The stand-out player for me though was Isaac Price. Dare Frank start him in the Premier League though, is the burning question.

Dammed if we win, dammed if we lose!

Peter Carpenter
34 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:38:10
I liked the look of Price in some Under-23 games last season. As said above, he sees a pass and is prepared to try it. The other players didn't always see it though.

Cannon is interesting. He never looked as skillful or sophisticated as the others in U21 games but stuff happened around him – Stracqualursi-ish determination maybe?

Peter Carpenter
35 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:41:23
Where is Garner?
Rob Halligan
36 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:43:06
Peter, got a back injury, apparently.
Peter Carpenter
37 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:47:32
Ok, caused by 22 hour flight in economy?
Rob Halligan
38 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:48:16
He didn’t travel.
Danny O’Neill
39 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:48:18
It was the same in the Celtic game. There were actually a lot of young players on the pitch and featuring.

I had to drop for the second half so unfortunately didn't get to see Cannon play. I thought it was great, patient build-up play for the second goal. Retain possession, but then go forward with intent. Great reverse pass from Gray and was that a cheeky finish by Gordon or did it come off his trailing leg? Who cares?!!

I thought Gray at times was his usual self. Gets into a great position and then fluffs his lines or fails to look up and find the better option.

Interesting to see the 21-year-old Patterson calling over the 29-year-old Doucoure and giving him instructions. I've seen Patterson do that to his team mates a few times this season. Seems to be a confident young lad.

Hopefully this tour has reset the squad and they can show up on Boxing Day.

Paul Birmingham
40 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:48:50
A great win and the youngsters put in a shift and it would be interesting to see their stats compared to some of the regular squad players.

Isaac Price deserves a place in the first team now, with injury to Garner its a like for like, as does Cannon and Mills.

A good confidence booster for the Wolves game.

Paul Birmingham
41 Posted 23/11/2022 at 11:48:50
A great win and the youngsters put in a shift and it would be interesting to see their stats compared to some of the regular squad players.

Isaac Price deserves a place in the first team now, with injury to Garner its a like for like, as does Cannon and Mills.

A good confidence booster for the Wolves game.

Paul Brierley
42 Posted 23/11/2022 at 12:02:17
Great passages of play and well taken goals. Pace of attack a standout improvement on our recent PL games. The jug of hope is filling up again! Great to see the young lads get a chance & shine.
Stu Darlington
43 Posted 23/11/2022 at 12:24:13
A win is a win. You can only play what's in front of you.

I didn't have a feed for the game but did I read from other posters' phrases like “retaining possession” “going forward with intent“ “plenty of shots“ “zipping the ball forward” “decent runs forward”?

Maybe there's a clue in there somewhere Frank?

Michael Lynch
44 Posted 23/11/2022 at 12:57:53
If Frank has had anything confirmed today, apart from the fact that we have a few good youngsters in midfield so he can probably suggest Tom Davies moves on to further his career, it's that we have to buy a striker in January.

Tom Cannon looks a decent enough young footballer, but nowhere near Premier League level at this point. Maupay is never going to get any better and looks exactly what he is – a Brighton squad player. With Richarlison gone, and Calvert-Lewin fragile, we're in big trouble without a player who can hold up play and bang in some goals.

Matthew Williams
45 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:07:03
So we can score some goals after all!... pity we can't do it in dear old Blighty in a competition that really matters.

I bet Moshiri and Kenwright are made up!

Sigh.

Danny O’Neill
46 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:07:36
I forgot to mention Price. He looks a good prospect. Tidy player with a bit of aggression in him, even when he lost the ball, he fought back for it with tenacity.

Also we seemed to do quite a bit of switching play with long diagonals.

Again though, I only caught the first half.

Tom Bowers
47 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:23:26
So we can score goals against the right opposition!!

Sorry to hear David Johnson passed away. Was one of my faves until he went to RS.

Eddie Dunn
48 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:24:32
Blimey, we won 1-5, I have got to get on Youtube to see this!!
Kieran Kinsella
49 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:26:55
Michael 44

😀

Christy Ring
50 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:27:56
Does anyone know how serious or how long Garner will be out for with his back injury?
Lee Robinson
51 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:28:07
What the difference was for me was, for two of the goals, Price could have played an easy safe pass backwards, as would be the norm with what we have seen from our midfield for years. He didn't, he turned under pressure and played out which both led to goals.

It just goes to show what can be achieved and it's taken a young kid to come in and do it.

Paul Kossoff
52 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:45:22
We finally win impressively and we get a 33-word write-up of the game, times are hard, no ink, hands too cold, brrrr.

Please I'm only joking Micheal, you do a great job. Coyb👮

Eddie Dunn
53 Posted 23/11/2022 at 13:45:48
Just saw 10 mins of highlights and, although we did give them some chances, it was great to see Maupay and the youngsters play on the front foot with Doucoure looking very fit. I do hope Frank does not revert to type against Wolves and that we see Price in the midfield.
Brian Wilkinson
54 Posted 23/11/2022 at 14:40:22
If for nothing else, it gave Blues down under a chance to go to an Everton game, a very nice win today, a chance to give a couple of youngsters a chance and look at.

I said before hand, if we can give Price, Mills and Cannon a run out, be nice to see what they can offer, price has had a good run out and looked good in both games so for me that’s a big plus, playing from the start has helped a lot.

Not seen enough of mills and cannon, would have liked to see at least one of the two start the game, instead of from the bench.

All in all a bit of team bonding, Price being the big plus, have a feeling though come Boxing Day and beyond, he will be back in the u23s, until the fa cup games roll out.

Hopefully the big guys noticed Gordon’s three goals, so that if they come knocking, at least it pushes his stock up a little.

Bill Gall
56 Posted 23/11/2022 at 16:03:43
The opposition was not Premier League standard but their was a lot of good movement off the ball and after the young players came on in the second half they seemed to slot right into the position of a senior player they replaced.
To me it means that the coaching and tactics in the teams below the 1st team are being coached in the same system that makes it easier to come on in a senior game replacing an injured player. This game also gave a chance for Patterson and Doucoure to improve their game fitness and both showed improvements.
This trip served its P,R, appearance with good results and fan relationship.
Rob Halligan
57 Posted 23/11/2022 at 16:15:26
Seems to be someone missing from this thread, and the other threads about Everton down under, but I can’t quite put a name to who that person is?
Dave Abrahams
58 Posted 23/11/2022 at 16:54:32
Barry (13), I’ve been out all day, thanks for that.
Dale Self
59 Posted 23/11/2022 at 16:56:24
Good show Joe 25.
Jay Harris
60 Posted 23/11/2022 at 17:11:24
Wasnt this the same team who beat Celtic 2-1 so I don't think theyre mugs and they did hit the bar twice in what was an open game.

Pleased to see Gordon have a great game and Price showing what a simple game can do with his link up play, accurate passing and constant availability. I thought they both made a huge difference in this game.

The other young lads came on and didnt disgrace themselves but IMO didnt have enough time to get into the game.

Darryl Ritchie
61 Posted 23/11/2022 at 17:25:50
It was nice to see Frank having a smile on the bench. God knows there hasn't been much to smile about lately.
Tom Bowers
62 Posted 23/11/2022 at 18:05:25
Always nice when you win and not too shabby when you get draws but we all hate the losses especially when they stink the place out like the last few weeks.

Frank has a real conundrum now. Whether to stick or twist when the season starts up again. Go with the tried and tested failures or go with some youngsters.

The Wolves game will be vital for points and confidence especially with Man. City coming up.

Will Mabon
63 Posted 23/11/2022 at 18:09:59
Rather early departure for David Johnson at 71.

Just looked up his record to see he played only 49 times in his first spell with us. I was young but he seemed to be around for ever and was an exciting player. A bit of a furore when he ended up at the RS.

40 appearances in his second spell not so memorable and I can hardly fit them into my recollection of the time. Still think of him as an Everton player though.

Peter Carpenter
64 Posted 23/11/2022 at 18:15:52
Sad news. Another player we should never have let go. Swapped for Rod Belfitt (who?), if I remember correctly. What madness that was.
Gary Johnson
65 Posted 23/11/2022 at 20:40:14
Danny # 46,

For me those long diagonals are absolutely key to a 4-3-3. The dark side do it well, just as one of the full-backs bombs forward to join the winger they'll target them as a double-up. We did a few today and it worked.

As others have said also, young Isaac Price didn't shit out of the turn-it and play-it moves. This also opened up the fast counter. With Gordon and Gray we are actually dangerous on the counter. If only Gray had a left foot!

Personally, I'd like Frank to grow a pair of balls and play one destroyer (Onana or Gana) next to two ballers (Price, Iwobi, Garner…. and maybe McNeil can convert here too?).

Unfortunately, I think that as others have noted, Frank will put out his favourites on Boxing Day… the only hope is Maupay and Gordon in the mood they were today.

Danny O’Neill
66 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:06:11
Gary,

Hopefully this has done Anthony's head and confidence the world of good.

The diagonals worked and you're right, it's what they've been doing the past few seasons. I'd be interested to see if it's something Lewis Warrington would do when he comes back off loan as he has that range of passing on him. Can he step up to senior level is the question?

Yes, Gray is always looking to come in on his right foot, which gives the defender time. Maybe play him on the right? But then I still think he's going for goal on his own. Just get your head up!!

Good to end on a positive. Just take it back to Goodison and Boxing Day.

Really pleased for the Down Under Blues more than anything else. I hope you enjoyed seeing them. You certainly created a great atmosphere. Respect.

Derek Thomas
67 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:29:45
In both games we were:
Better in the 2nd half with younger 'newer' - (yes I know one or two were in from the off.)
Better with a Back 4.
Better breaking quickly out of defence.

Better think about that Frank?

Nice to see plenty of blues of All ages having a good time.

Graham(?) what did you and your 16 yr old daughter think of it.

John Raftery
68 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:32:19
Jay (60) Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC are two different clubs. The former are sixth in their domestic league, the latter second after six matches played.
Rob Halligan
69 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:38:47
Nope, still no sign of the missing person!!
Ian Riley
70 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:44:58
I want the dvd!

Hopefully the start!

Dave Cashen
71 Posted 23/11/2022 at 21:52:56
Very sad news about David Johnson.

Still remembering his goal against Liverpool. Even though the crowd surged and I didn't actually see it go on

Danny O’Neill
72 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:12:52
Deleted. Double tap
Danny O’Neill
73 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:12:52
I emailed to a TW friend who I communicate by email on various things.

David Johnson is one of the first Everton players I remember. But he was a Liverpool player!!

When we signed him in 1982, my dad had to sit me down and explain as my natural frown, engrained dislike of them and inquisitiveness made me suspicious.

I said to Chris (sorry for the repeat Chris), but arguably one of the last of a generation that, despite his achievements, never made a fuss about it.

Rob Halligan
74 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:24:58
Ok, getting really worried now. It’s 12 hours since the game finished. Call out to Lyndon and Michael to search for missing person, last seen in action on the “Everton beat Celtic on penalties thread”, roughly around 11.50am on 20/11/22.
Paul Kernot
75 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:40:18
Very late back to where we're staying and straight to bed but for what they're worth, here are my observations:
1. Price, as has been mentioned is very calm on the ball & it rubs off on those around him. He's prepared to look forward and play long too which is refreshing. He'll get caught out now & then in the Prem as he can be a bit ponderous but well worth the risk for his influence.
2. Docoure has been watching Iwobi play and, with his absence, obviously thought he'd give it a go. His energy & drive actually caused a fair bit of our forward momentum last night.
3. Patterson is back. He's growing into his role. I'd love to have seen him score but overall, he'll be first on the team sheet for a long time to come.
4. Great to see Cannon get off the mark. Five minutes after scoring though, he ballooned one way over the bar in his eagerness. Let's see how he develops and, along with Welch and Mills, how much time they'll be given while we're in such dire straits.
5. After WSW equalised, we did our usual and went into our shell, allowing them to dictate the game for a while and we looked like our confidence of 5 minutes prior had simply dissolved. Our only outlet for a lot of the first half was via our right back actually making ground into space over the half way line.
6. Holgate looked decent again, although under very little pressure it must be said.
7. I still can't make my mind up about AG. We sang his name when he scored. Yes he has some skills. His movement off the ball and pace off the mark causes defenses trouble but I still think I'd have cashed in for $50mil from Chelsea & reinvested if indeed that was actually offered.
Overall, another great night. Balmy weather, great stadium and all smiles. Hopefully we can take the positivity and confidence home to the Liverpool winter.
Rob Halligan
76 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:49:43
Cheers for that Paul. Sounds like you had a great day, something I, and some on here take for granted. Besides Tom Cannon ballooning one over the bar, Stanley Mills also ballooned one over when it seemed easier to score. I remember seeing you post something about meeting John Raftery before the Celtic game. Did you get to meet John?
Dale Self
77 Posted 23/11/2022 at 22:52:47
Nice Paul, thanks for the additional perspective. That it is mostly positive is doubly appreciated. Your note on Doucoure is a good one since that is the type of movement that Frank appears to be coaxing out of Onana with mixed results. And the observation on Cannon's possession is also worth considering as we get some breathing room to field youngsters. Both Cannon and Whittaker have vision that our current favored 11 lack. Whether they could be selected without getting overrun physically is a concern but against less physical squads I would take the chance with those two.

Glad it was a good night in that hemisphere.

Paul Kernot
78 Posted 23/11/2022 at 23:33:45
Didn't happen Rob but plenty of other to chat too. Loads of scousers here actually. Great laugh on the train home as you'd expect. One guy thanking every steward and security person on the way out. I think they were a bit taken aback. Never seen the likes of us clearly!
Don Alexander
79 Posted 23/11/2022 at 23:53:42
Quiz question - Royle 5, Johnson 3. Who were our opponents?
Ian Pilkington
80 Posted 24/11/2022 at 00:06:28
Southampton November 1971
Don Alexander
81 Posted 24/11/2022 at 00:08:58
Give the man a coconut! :)
Dupont Koo
82 Posted 24/11/2022 at 00:09:41
Glad to have the chance watching the young folks: Price, Mills & Cannon!

Unfortunately, the 2 games kept magnifying that Doucouré and Holgate are no longer good enough for us.

Douc made a few passes that were not constructional and put Price in situations that were more difficult than needed: FFS, he is the veteran and should know better!

Enough said about the equaliser by the Wanderers. Having Holgate as the partner, I've not seen Tarky having so much nervous moments as a Blue when the Wanderers made the run after tying the game.

Quick tangent: Nathan had some lung-busting, overlapping 20 yards sprints into the final third and more often than not, Gordon "chose" not to use him effectively. That's certainly one of the fuels for all those Frank-haters out there!

Tony Hill
83 Posted 24/11/2022 at 05:37:49
Ball got a goal in that Southampton game. It was snowing that day I think. Royle got 4.
Sean Roe
84 Posted 24/11/2022 at 06:56:31
They can do it against inferior opposition in a game that means nothing, can they do it when it really matters?

I hate being so negative about the team I love but they've worn me down to this over the years.

Bob Parrington
85 Posted 24/11/2022 at 07:49:50
Good to see the team live at the Commbank stadium. Liked the stadium. A bit like a modernised Goodison Park. Sits 30,000. Nice and compact, close to the pitch.

Also impressed with the skills and attitude that the the WSW players brought to the game. They tried to take the game to us and varied their play from time phase to phase throughout the game. Guy sitting next to me, a local fan, told me that there is a salary cap in place and theirs is about $3.5m.

Ultimately, we were too strong for them as we played some good football. In the centre of the field our guys were still getting in each others way too often.

Maupay's efforts were immense but it was easy to see his frustration when he was pressing and had no support on several occasions. Price is probably ready to be included in the match day squads. He was calm, controlled, strong and knows how to make a pass. One young lad, who impressed me was "Quirk?" (orange boots - so do I have the right name?) when he came on later in the game. He seemed to be a calm and collected, no fuss player. I can't say that any of the younger players let them or the team down. Vinaigre played well but tired around 60 minutes.
Keane played well when he came on. Holgate was steady throughout.

Gordon is still rough around the edges but clearly will progress to being a top player. Gary needs to sharpen up in terms of taking a shot sooner, rather than turning back, looking for support. Same, too, for others. The Douc needs more games to sharpen up, too but is clearly strong in his position.

Good to get a win and well done to the Blues fan, who hit the bar in the half time break and played to the crowd, particularly the Everton fans.

Back to reality after the WC!!

Frank Knight
86 Posted 24/11/2022 at 07:51:56
Paul @ 75 it was Mills that ballooned over rather than Cannon
Dave Abrahams
87 Posted 24/11/2022 at 09:10:56
Bob (85), a good report about the game and the surrounding area of the ground and the supporters attitude during the game and interval.

Your description of Seb Quirk fitted the way I see the lad; I've watched him for a few years now from his beginning in the youth team and U21s and hoped that he was going to make the first team but doubted it.

This season though I've seen a big improvement in his game, always in the action, good passing, long and short, a real team player, he reminds me of a very good midfield player who was a big part of Everton's success at the time, Paul Bracewell who put the team first and himself last.

The reason I have a big interest in the lad, without knowing him personally, is I knew his grandmother very well. So keep on improving, lad, get another contract, Theresa will be watching you and be so proud of you, best of luck lad.

Dave Abrahams
88 Posted 24/11/2022 at 09:16:05
Don (79), sack the quizmaster and take the coconuts off him, Tony (83) is correct Alan Ball got one of those goals which was the best one of the eight.
Rob Halligan
89 Posted 24/11/2022 at 09:23:10
Sean # 84.

I get your point, but Argentina and Germany couldn't do it against inferior opposition when it really did matter. It may be an old cliche, but you can only beat what's in front of you.

I thought we played well yesterday, and hopefully will be a confidence booster for the upcoming Premier League games. It's still well over four weeks before we all start again, so I wonder if there are any more mid-season break friendlies lined up?

Michael Kenrick
90 Posted 24/11/2022 at 09:24:31
Great stuff, Bob @85.

How many turned out? Do you remember them giving the attendance?

Thanks.

Dave Abrahams
91 Posted 24/11/2022 at 10:03:51
By the way on the day Everton beat Southampton 8-0,Ted McDougall broke the FA cup goalscoring record by scoring nine goals for Bournemouth in an 11-0 victory, a record that still stands today. McDougall later signed for Man.Unt. but Idoubt he broke any records there.
Tony Abrahams
92 Posted 24/11/2022 at 10:48:48
Rob @74,

Who are you talking about mate, you couldn't give us a 4-4-2 (clue!) could you.

Rob Halligan
93 Posted 24/11/2022 at 10:54:36
Tony, the clue is in the post! (On another thread.)
Danny O’Neill
94 Posted 24/11/2022 at 11:02:39
Paul and Bob, thanks for the reports. Great that both those who travelled thousands of miles and the Down Under Blues had a great day out.

@Michael, I think I recall the commentator saying it was in excess of 30,000. I don't know the exact, but definitely above 30,000.

Interesting to see the safe standing areas behind the goals, or certainly the end where the WSW supporters were dominant. Something I hope we can look forward to at Bramley-Moore Dock.

It increases capacity for certain matches and, to be honest, I don't recall the last time I sat down at an away match. Maybe Wolves, but I was in with the home supporters.

Sean Roe
95 Posted 24/11/2022 at 18:59:07
Rob @ 89,

I watched Lampard's post match interview and he said the lads deserved some time off when they get back so who knows if any other friendlies are in the offing.

It might be best to leave it at that. As you say, it's a nice confidence booster and a loss in another friendly may be counter-productive.

George Stuart
97 Posted 26/11/2022 at 05:13:33
Ok for what it's worth here is my take on the 90 minutes.
Doucoure is a level above anything else on the pitch. Knackered after 25 minutes but got a second wind. We need to keep him fit.
I think I've finally worked Gordon out. He's a six yard poacher. That's it. Keep him well away from the last third. He will always run the ball? Never pass or cross. That's what I was going to post but then he scores a very decent goal at the death. Albeit against inferior opposition.
Price was very pleasing. Comfortable and one for the near future.
Maupay is merely ok even at this level. Cherrio.
Gray thinks he's Deli Ali. Did nothing right all game. What's up ??
Cannon had a lovely tap in but shovel scooped a descent shot over later. One that would have graced the current world cup perfectly. Mills was super positive. The passion of youth.
Nice to see the win even at this level.
Work to do in the transfer window. Midfield boss and a proper striker for Gordon to run off.

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