Everton just about scraped a victory against Stoke City in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
A late Amadou Onana strike was enough to clinch a 1-0 victory for Everton against an impressive Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Championship outfit were on top for much of the match, especially the first half, when the Toffees’ trio of Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and James Garner struggled to exert control on the match in the middle of the park.
The introduction of Onana at half time, in place of Garner, immediately improved things for Sean Dyche’s side. However, the Merseyside club still looked toothless in attack. Neither Arnaut Danjuma or Neal Maupay, who played 45 minutes up front each, offered much threat.
Another concern for Dyche will be the injury suffered by Dwight McNeil in the second half. The winger was brought off and headed straight down the tunnel. He may well now be a doubt for the club’s Premier League opener against Fulham on August 12th.
Everton fans need something to shout about
Despite Stoke’s fine display, Everton did ultimately break the deadlock. Onana poked home a loose ball from close range in the dying seconds of injury time. The £100k-a-week man’s goal at least saved face for the Premier League side.
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Nearly 3,000 Everton fans made the trip to Stoke, and after Onana’s late winner ironic chants of “we’re gonna win the league” could be heard from the visiting supporters.
After a rough few seasons at Goodison Park, expectations are low from Everton fans. Unless something dramatic happens in what remains of the transfer window, the club look set for another gruelling season.
Somehow, Dyche and his side need to find a spark. They need to produce some performances that generate genuine excitement in the stands. That kind of good feeling can be infectious and carry the club on to further success. They need to give the Everton fans something real to shout about.