Everton's first match of the 2025-2026 preseason has finished, and for the Everton fans that paid to watch the match from home or at the stadium, this game gave us all some insight into what David Moyes is trying to build towards.
The first half started with Dwight McNeil on the right as an inverted winger and Nathan Patterson overlapping him. Charly Alcaraz slid into the left side, but also dropped deeper to receive the ball and give the Everton backline options in build up.
As expected, Stanley lined up with two strikers up front, but they didn't pressure the Toffees too much, giving Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko space to make forward runs.
Everton had a plethora of chances in the first half, but the Stanley goalie, Oliver Wright, was able to deny Youssef Chermiti in the 22nd and 28th minutes. In the 39th minute, Harrison Armstrong, who we have mentioned as a player of high intrigue this pre-season, almost scored a banger from outside the box, but his shot was also denied by the goalie.
The second half saw five subs come in for the Toffees, a few of them being academy kids trying to impress the first team coaching staff. Not long after these substitutions though, Stanley opened the scoring after a corner kick caught Everton's backline off guard.
As time rolled on, Isaac Heath and Justin Clarke, two academy prospects, began to create chances for the Everton.
Clarke on the right side added a bit of flair, while Heath drew a penalty prior to the 80th minute mark, and Beto, who also subbed into the match earlier, scored a penalty into the top bins. I'm sure the placement was accidental, since nobody in their right mind would slot a penalty into the top corner like that on purpose, but nevertheless, the Toffees found the equalizer.
Everton tried to push for a winner, but Stanley were well organized, and the referee blew the whistle in the 90th minute to end an exciting and encouraging match for both sides.
Even though the match finished 1-1, there were some good performances that we will definitely unpack soon, and despite a McNeil injury scare in the first couple of minutes, all the players finished the game without a knock.
Everton will travel to Blackburn on Saturday to take on Blackburn Rovers in their final preseason match before flying to the States for the Premier League Summer Series later this month.