Everton’s preseason campaign hit its highest gear with a trip to Germany to play Bundesliga club Hamburger SV at the Volksparkstadion. Coming off a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Stoke City and a scoreless stalemate with Bolton, manager David Moyes needed his attacking line to rediscover its rhythm after consecutive scoreless outings. The game had followed the Everton Women beating Hamburg Women by a solitary goal.
Team News
Hayden Hackney was back in the starting lineup. Thierno Barry was back up top and Iroegbunam
was the engine in the midfield.
Match Report
With a good showing from the traveling supporters, the game kicked off with Everton looking to put on some early pressure. An early corner in front of the bouncing Hamburg fans was delivered by Dewsbury-Hall. It was cleared away and recycled by the Blues which led to O’Brien heading the ball straight at the keeper.
An early substitution by Hamburg was required. Hamburg then drove forward and Travers was forced into his first save of the day.The teams took turns on the ball but were giving the ball away needlessly. Hackney and Dewsbury-Hall were trying to find space in behind but Hamburg continued to repel the white shirts of Everton. Some good work from Hackney to force a turnover gave Röhl the chance to stretch his legs but his cross was poor.
Everton were starting to get more of the play but it was Hamburg’s Ariga who took a wild shot that was speculative at best. The hydration break received the necessary boos from the crowd. After the restart, Hackney coughed up the ball and Grambergh’s shot went narrowly wide. Stanga was then in on Travers but he could not get his shot on net.
The Toffees were struggling to get the ball moving forward as Hamburg were controlling the ball for long periods. A free kick for Hamburg was poor but KDH’s clearance gifted a corner but that was well cleared by Travers.
Some good work by KDH to get forward was nullified by George who had strayed offside. Hackney then showed his driving pace as he skipped by three Hamburgers before his pass was intercepted.
The game finally had a goal when Thierno Barry was determined to knick the ball in the middle of the park and his drive forward had him drag the ball back to Röhl who danced past a defender and slotted the ball into the top corner.
Moments later, Barry was almost in alone but for a good defensive tackle. Everton were finishing the half strongly. KDH and Hackney linked up well and forced a late corner. KDH delivered and George’s shot was blocked. The half ended after Stange was given too much room but his shot was well wide.
Hamburg had made several changes and started the second half quickly. Travers was forced into another good save. The pressure continued and former Leicester player Patson Daka narrowly missed with Travers scrambling. After the goal kick, Daka was at it again but this time he swivelled and tucked the ball into the far corner. Everton had not woke up from half time.
Everton tried to get a quick response and a corner saw George lob the ball into the box where Branthwaite got the ball under control, his shot was sliced over the bar. Moments later Hackney had his cross headed onto the bar by a Hamburg defender.
Merlin Röhl broke forward and set up George who attempted to curl a ball into the far corner, but it was just wide. Everton hearts were in their mouths when Jake O’Brien headed a looping ball to his keeper only for Daka to narrowly miss a header that would have put Hamburg back in the lead.
Barry took a long ball down nicely but his second touch was heavy and a good chance went begging. Hamburg made some more changes and quickly went forward. When Tarkowski coughed up the ball and took a foul to prevent the attack continuing, the free kick was blocked by the wall.
At the hydration break…..boo…..Moyes brought on Alcaraz, Keane, Armstrong, and Dibling with Branthwaite, Hackney, George, and Iroegbunam taken off. KDH laid in a lovely ball which Barry was not ready to attack. Rohl had taken up a more central role and continued to look forward.
Tarkowski delivered a great ball over the top to Thierno Barry. The young striker looked like he had wasted a chance but when he swivelled, his shot needed a smart save by the Hamburg keeper. Seconds later, Alcaraz was denied a goal by a sliding defender.
Mykolenko, Barry and Travers were withdrawn for King, Aznou and Beto. Two nice plays by O’Brien showed his defensive strength. Aznou then showed his attacking prowess to force a corner but a foul by Tarks snuffed out the opportunity. The Everton fans were making themselves heard with some rousing renditions of the old favourites.
In the eight minutes of added time, O’Brien went down and looked like he was holding his hamstring, but he recovered to get back in the match. Seconds later, Braden Graham pounced on a loose ball and played a nice ball into the middle which forced the Hamburg defender to try and intercept the cross that was heading to Beto. Thankfully, Jordan Torunarigha turned Graham’s cross into his own net.
A few minor attacks by the Toffees before the referee ended the match to confirm the victory for Everton.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Merlin Rohl: He played almost the entire match and was bright from start to finish. He was driving forward and looking to link up play was excellent. He was happy to give KDH and Hackney someone who was willing to get into the space. His goal was well taken and the energy that he gives to the midfield was excellent.
Instant Reaction
This was our biggest challenge so far this preseason. The goal from Rohl was well crafted and gave Everton the lead heading into the second half. Unfortunately, they did not turn up for the first 10 minutes of the second half which allowed Hamburg back in the match. Thankfully, a good response by the Blues gave them the chance to regain the lead as they controlled most of the second half. That set up the winner which was well earned by Braiden Graham.
Hayden Hackney played an important role today in the good play that Everton crafted. He is always looking to get on the ball and his vision to find a pass was excellent. The relationship with Dewsbury-Hall was very promising and when the game opened up in the second half, our midfield was at the heart of the good performance. Hackney will go down as the signing of the season based on these early moments.
Thierno Barry made a very good showing today and if David Moyes was watching then Barry is now in the pole position to start at Crystal Palace. He was more alert today and held up the ball well along with his willingness to drive into the box which led to the first goal. More of this will be needed.
James Tarkowski is fading and it was surprising to me that he played the full 90. He gave away the ball too frequently and his lack of pace put pressure on his own goal too frequently. I wonder what Moyes was thinking today with O’Brien being in the RB position. With Branthwaite gaining fitness, the road forward seems clear. Also, we might need a right back to make this team better.
Player Ratings:
Mark Travers – Made some early saves to settle the nerves. A commanding presence on corners and did nothing other than continue to impress. No chance on the goal.
Jarrad Branthwaite – Calm and assured at the back. Probably stepped up to quickly which allowed the space in behind that Daka took on his goal. More importantly, another 65 minutes on the pitch as he builds up his fitness.
James Tarkowski – Just too slow and almost caused Hamburg to get a second goal when his touch was poor. Moments later he gave the ball up and needed to take a yellow card to prevent a goal scoring chance.
Jake O’Brien – Back in the right back slot and did the defending but provided little going forward. He does what he is asked to do but should be in the middle next to Branthwaite.
Vitalii Mykolenko – Some good covering play early on. Defending, decent. Attacking, none.
Merlin Röhl – Worked hard down the right side and his goal was well taken. He was always interested in going forward. One of his best games since his arrival.
Tim Iroegbunam – Was lucky to stay on the pitch for a second yellow in the second half. This was his fourth start in a row and looks ready to start the season.
Hayden Hackney – His first thought was always to look forward and find a play. It was great seeing him linking up with many of his teammates throughout the match.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Another excellent performance and his work with Hackney was the starting point for most of Everton’s forward play.
Tyrique George – Showed some pace on the left and was effective cutting inside. Faded as the match continued.
Thierno Barry – A good drive forward in the first half was all for nothing when his cut back was behind KDH. That was not true when he set up Röhl’s goal with a lovely drive and pass.
