Everton finally secured their first victory of this pre-season with a win over Preston North End on Saturday afternoon.
Just two weeks separate Everton and their season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion so getting their first win will have been a big boost for Sean Dyche.
It has certainly been a turbulent summer for the Toffees who have seen highs and lows on and off the pitch.
With The Friedkin Group’s proposed takeover having fallen through, the results in their opening three friendlies will not have made for good viewing.
However, in the summer transfer market, Everton have done some fine business with four new signings already through the door.
And those new signings certainly put on a display at Deepdale on Saturday.
Journalist stunned by something he saw in Everton win on Saturday
On the back of their opening friendlies, Everton really did need to provide those travelling fans with something to cheer.
And that’s exactly what they did with the Blues putting on a real show for the fans who made the short journey from Merseyside.
Not only were the Toffees able to find the back of the net three times but they were also able to keep a clean sheet for the first time this summer.
And if that wasn’t enough, their new signings shone.
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Reporting from Deepdale, Everton correspondent for the Liverpool Echo Joe Thomas was left stunned by Jake O’Brien‘s goal.
On his debut, the £17m centre-back slammed home from the edge of the box which provided him with a dream start as an Everton player.
“Wow, what an introduction for O’Brien. He caused problems with his flick into the box and when the mess that followed fell his way he drilled goalwards,” said Thomas.
“Think a less refined version of Branthwaite’s superb goal at Brighton. Lovely stuff. Branthwaite, O’Brien, Tarkowski are going to cause nightmares for opposition in both boxes!”
Jake O’Brien scores on his Everton debut
How about that for a start! O’Brien with the stuff of dreams on his Everton debut with a strike that the strikers would have been proud of.
The likes of James Tarkowski will have been watching on from the bench feeling the youngster may have just put in a huge claim to start in the opening game of the season.
But he was not the only debutant to get on the scoresheet.
His goal was outdone by that of Jesper Lindstrom who curely a free kick home with a sensational effort.
What a day for Everton!
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