Everton vs Preston North End post-match reaction from Goodison Park
Preston North End fell to their first defeat of pre-season as Everton ran out 2-0 winners at Goodison Park.
North End faced their third Premier League opponents in the space of five days and it was the hosts who got off to the perfect start.
The Toffees came out of the traps fast and Jonjoe Kenny had them ahead inside ten minutes when he slid home the loose ball from close range.
As the half wore on, PNE grew into the game and appeared to settle – Ethan Walker had a great chance to equalise after a superb run but he saw his shot saved by young goalkeeper Harry Tyrer.
Jayden Stockley was also denied by the teenager in the first half after running through one-on-one.
In the second half North End continued to push for a leveler but Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled Everton’s lead after the hour mark with a tidy finish, latching on to Richarlison’s low cross.
Jordan Storey then hit the crossbar for Preston, with it proving not to be the Lilywhites’ day.
It’s now all eyes on the serious stuff next weekend, as the league campaigns begin for both teams.
Everton kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur, while PNE host Swansea City on the opening day of the Championship.
All the reaction, as well as a recap of how the game unfolded can be found right here.
George Hodgson
Player ratings
Here are our scores on the doors from this afternoon.
George Hodgson
Bayliss on improvement
Every day is a chance to improve. Even if I haven’t played I’ve been working as hard as I can on the training pitch. I feel as if ready to play now and it’s up to the me now to get the manager to not be able to not pick me.
George Hodgson
Bayliss on Everton’s midfield
They’re top quality players who have been brought in for massive money. It’s good to test yourself against them and they’re all a bit different too.
George Hodgson
Bayliss on pre-season
There’s been a lot of games. It’s been refreshing to get back have games and we’re all ready for the season now and raring to go.
George Hodgson
Bayliss on the week
As a group it’s good to experience tests like this. This is the level we want to get to as a team.
George Hodgson
Bayliss on the game
We made a change after 15 minutes and it got better. It’s good to get 90 in the legs but it’s tough against a team like Everton.
George Hodgson
Tom Bayliss
It was a good test against a top Premier League side. They have good players but I thought we stood up to it, had our moments and quite a few chances too.
George Hodgson
Neil on young players
As a coach, you don’t expect them to learn it straight away because then there’d be no need for coaches. But as long as they try to improve and do it better, that’s what you’re looking for.
George Hodgson
Neil on Ethan Walker
He’ll never have played against that type of movement before – we’ve flung him in from u18s to Goodison. He 100% has a chance. I don’t think it’s necessarily about playing against Richarlison or people like that,…
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