Everton drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley after a Beto penalty late in the game equalised.
It was a good run out for the first team players and there were some impressive performances. Tim Iroegbunam had a strong game in central midfield, while there were vital minutes for Jarrad Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil as they recovered from injury.
There were also appearances from a handful of Everton’s talented u21 team and we’ve taken a look at how each u21 player performed in the opening friendly of the summer.
Harry Tyrer
Tyrer followed up successful loan spells at Chester and Chesterfield with a move to Blackpool last year and manager Steve Bruce is reportedly keen to make the move permanent.
Here he started the match with a good stretching save from a Woods header in the first few minutes and he was mostly untroubled throughout. At Blackpool his weakness was commanding his area and he will be upset he conceded a soft goal from a corner – although he can point to poor defending as Accrington took the lead.
With Fraser Barnsley not getting minutes it suggests Tyrer is in pole position to be Everton’s third choice keeper after the arrival of Mark Travers today.
Will Tamen
David Moyes likes to introduce his centre halves as full backs. You can now add young 19-year-old Will Tamen to a list that includes Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka and Jake O’Brien.
Tamen, a big, strong centre half, struggled at first with a wild tackle that missed the ball and freed up an Accrington Stanley attack but he settled well. He kept things simple and linked up well with Justin Clarke later on, winning a free kick with a late surge down the wing.
Signed from Burton last summer, Tamen is highly rated in the u21 side despite injuries limiting him to ust eight league appearances and will be a mainstay at that level this season. He has the physical attributes to be a Premier League player and the next step will be a loan, perhaps in January.
Harrison Armstrong
Armstrong technically does not count here as he has already made his first team appearance for Everton but he started here and instantly looked at home in a more advanced midfield position. His ability to control the ball and move it forward stood out and he was involved in most of Everton’s attacking play in the first half.
He was unlucky not to score with a curled shot from the edge of the area and his clever run and cross should have been converted by Chermiti late in the first half.
Technically gifted, he looked completely at home and definitely made his case for a chance at a first team shot this year.
Jenson Metcalfe
A frustrating injury-ht season at League Two Chesterfield will still be hurting Metcalfe, who excelled in pre season last year.
His second half cameo for Armstrong was tidy again with some neat passes and good touches in the middle of the park. He moved the ball well and consistantly found a blue shirt. A better chosen loan awaits in order for him to get his Everton career back on track.
Isaac Heath
Probably the pick of the u21 players, the Academy Player of the Year last year won the penalty in the second half with a neat bit of skill to beat the full back and draw a foul.
His dimunitive size might put people off but Heath was a constant source of danger down the left. Always happy to take on his man, he linked up well with Patterson.
Heath is 20 and needs a loan or first team minutes. This was a good start to his pre season and he may look at Leon Osman, who broke into the first team at 23, as inspiration. He’s tidy, skilful and can pick a pass. It is no coincidence Everton started to play better football after he entered the fray.
Justin Clarke
I was ready to choose Clarke’s most impressive moment as a clever far post run that went to waste when Beto chose to shoot instead, but Clarke then pulled out a few eye-catching tricks to surpass that attacking intent.
A mazy run and clever bit of skill to lay the ball off was the moment of the match for the young players and Clarke followed it with a lovely flick to Tamen on the right wing to release the makeshift full back. He also nutmegged his man and was unlucky not to win a free kick for a shirt pull.
Clarke also showed his searing pace when chasing a through ball and his cameo was perhaps the most exciting. The winger arrived from Wimbledon last year and was superb for the u18s, scoring 10 goals in 16 games.
In the first test event at Bramley Moore Clarke struggled from trying a bit too hard but there is no doubt he is a talented, skilful player who will get fans off their seats. Some time with the u21s for the talented 17 year old will be good for his development next year.