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Everton 1 - 1 LOSC Lille -sm.jpg>) Everton's final pre-season fixture sees them take on TFG stable-mates LOSC Lille at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon. Jordan Pickford returns for his first game, with two youngsters risked by David Moyes in the first half at least as Armstrong and Dibling start. George is rewarded for his excellent goal against Newcastle with a seat on the bench with Brennan Johnson. Garner and Iroegbunam are both out injured, while there is no place in the 23-man matchday squad for new signing Christian Norgaard, suggesting perhaps his integration into the squad is taking longer than one might reasonably expect. First Half Lille kicked off but Everton were soon passing it around in lively fashion, without threatening until Branthwaite slotted a wonderful pass through to Barry. Hocney picked out Dibling with a tremendous crossfield ball to Dibling who beat his man but tripped himself up. Everton got a corner that Dibling put in. Everton kept working it around, winning another corner that Hackney put in from the other side. Pickford, still not up with the new rules, held on to the ball too long and gifted Lille a corner kick, which was cleared. Some neat football from Dibling, Armstrong and Rohl saw the German put in the first shot, low, easily saved. Lille were getting more of the ball after 10 minutes. But Dewsbury-Hall battled back for the ball, feeding it to Ndiaye who picked out Dibling. He cut inside and unleashed a great shot that forced an excellent save from Ozer. Olivier Giroud hurt his knee in a tangle with Ndiaye and needed treatment. Everton kept looking to play forward despite some close pressing by Lille, but 39-year-old Giroud could not carry on. Ndiaye stole the ball and drove forward, playing in Dewsbury-Hall for a low first-time cross that was put behind before it reached Barry. The corner was cleared. More fine football from Ndiaye, to Armstrong and quickly on to Dibling, who had another shot on goal. Armstrong was doing a grand job pulling the strings in midfield, and getting the ball out to Dibling whenever he could. Dewsbury-Hall made his second or third mistake, and then fouled his man trying to get the ball back as the game went into something of a lull... until a brilliant bit of play down the wing by Dibling and a decent cross that Dewsbury-Hall could not do much with. Ndiaye and Barry pushed forward together, Ndiaye backheel not coming off. Ndiaye then skipped along the 18-yard line but scooped his shot high and wide. Dewsbury-Hall ran on to a forward pass from Mykolenko and was taken out by Ngoy... Penalty. Iliman Ndiaye (41') from the spot. For Lille, a superb ball over the top from Bentaleb found Onal running onto it but Pickford was out to close him down and force a corner. Bentaleb then produced a tremendous left-foot strike that flashed past Pickford and almost grazed the far post. Dewsbury-Hall tried to find Barry with a cross, but he was behind his marker. Lille had a late flourish but went in a goal down at the break. Second Half No changes for Everton as Ngoy fired a shot in on Pickford, but the early pace was sluggish at best. A great play from Hackney found Barry who did exceptionally well to take the ball and then play it forward to Armstrong in acres of space with only the goalkeeper to beat but he blasts it wide when it seemed impossible to miss! Branthwaite had to make a strong defensive header for a corner. A good move saw Dewsbury-Hall get into a good position to shoot when he felt his shirt grabbed but it was shielded from the referee's view. Armstrong won a difficult battle down the wing before a mass of subs entered the game after the hour mark. Lille had the better of it until Dewsbury-Hall saw a chance to release Johnson with a brilliant forward ball that the new man completely missed. George then fed Johnson who did better and smacked it goalward but too close to the keeper. Dewsbury-Hall put in a great corner that Beto almost scored from. Evertpnn kept up the pressure from corners, Keane heading the last well wide. A wild lofted backpass from Alexsandro flew over the Lille keeper but bounced just inches wide of the far post! A fabulous ball out from Alcaraz saw George quickly release Aznou who played in a supeb low cross that was perfect for Johnson but the defender got in his way. Lille went to score at the other end but Travers had other ideas, pawing it away with a fantastic save. The corner caused havoc but somehow the defence cleared it. But not before another Lille scare. George crossed in again but this time too close to the keeper. Lille were threatening but Everton's defenders were standing firm. Patterson put in a great ball but Rohl couldn't convert it, and Lille went up the other end, Haraldsson volleying it in off Travers right at the end. Teamsheet Everton: Pickford (64' Travers), Röhl, Tarkowski (64' O’Brien), Branthwaite (64' Keane), Mykolenko (76' Aznou), Hackney, Armstrong (64' Patterson), Dewsbury-Hall (76' Alcaraz), Dibling (64' George), Ndiaye (64' Johnson), Barry (64' Beto). Subs: King, Graham, Foster. Reader Comments (74) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () 1 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:37:35 Pickford; Rohl, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Hackney, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong; Dibling, Barry, Ndiaye. Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Keane, Beto, O'Brien, George, Johnson, Alcaraz, Aznou, Graham, Foster. 2 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:39:26 Look forward to Moyes declaring them still not fit, when late November comes. 3 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:42:28 4 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:44:34 5 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:46:26 6 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:47:51 7 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:49:40 8 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:55:30 9 Posted 15/08/2026 at 14:58:45 10 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:05:41 11 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:08:30 12 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:10:51 13 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:13:52 Once again Everton playing some lively stuff. Let’s wait for palace game and for Moyes to return to type. 14 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:16:15 15 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:18:58 16 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:22:24 17 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:32:32 18 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:34:20 19 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:39:58 20 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:46:40 21 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:48:12 22 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:50:33 Shite 23 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:50:55 24 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:53:07 He's done some good stuff while your telly froze. 25 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:55:47 But he needs to hit it harder, a lot harder, and a lot quicker. 26 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:56:59 27 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:57:12 Spend money on full backs and another forward. 28 Posted 15/08/2026 at 15:57:40 29 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:01:39 30 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:15:15 31 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:28:03 32 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:38:42 Strange. 33 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:39:18 34 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:41:36 35 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:43:32 36 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:44:52 37 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:50:19 38 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:51:12 39 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:52:53 40 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:52:54 Legs tied together for 10 years in an Everton shirt 41 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:55:40 42 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:55:43 Hopefully you are wrong. He's starting next week wide right midfield 43 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:59:16 Obrien Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko. Hackney Armstrong Rohl KDH Ndiaye Barry. Next week's team 44 Posted 15/08/2026 at 16:59:28 Rohl looked better at full back than midfield, he makes some poor decisions in midfield I think, albeit he’s an improving young lad. Hackney in and out of the game. There’s no new news. We need full backs, Patterson came on and was awful imo. Mykolenko better today, but a very average full back for me. We need a forward with a goal scorers instinct and a tad more quality. Lille 18 year old who came on second half, looked absolute quality. That said, we’ve looked better this pre season than many others of recent years. Use rest of window to add a bit more quality and there’s hope. 45 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:12:04 46 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:18:39 Having said that we need to start killing games off when we are on top and I still think we need a better finisher than Bill or Ben. 47 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:24:10 48 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:25:14 49 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:27:32 Hopefully the first eleven show up against Palace and score goals that don't allow points to be thrown away.. 50 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:31:54 51 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:33:15 52 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:37:35 53 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:40:34 That’s him,Garner, Tim Iro, all 3 defensive midfielders injured, Gueye gone and Hackney out of position. 54 Posted 15/08/2026 at 17:52:40 55 Posted 15/08/2026 at 18:18:49 Rohl had a good game at right back, Dibling is getting brighter. Liked the flat 3 midfield. Garner for Hackney, and that is our strongest 11. 56 Posted 15/08/2026 at 18:22:10 But that encapsulates our problem. The other 9 players don't contribute goals. Anyone decent would have buuried it amd the wondered about offside. Barry was miles better than Beto. Patterson certainly not good enough. Röhl struggled with defending and obvious that a partnerships with the wingers is needed. And I think we are going to miss Gana 57 Posted 15/08/2026 at 18:45:19 The 1st half was excellent, but as soon as Lille starting getting control of the football, they started looking quite dangerous. In the 2nd half, I thought Tyrique and Aznou gave a good account of themselves. In the 1st half, Dibling, Armstrong and Hackney were excellent, and Ndiaye looked sharp. Brennan Johnson looked rusty, but he should come good. I am surprised that Norgaard is still not training, let alone being in the squad. Moyes has his work cut out this season. 58 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:16:12 I thought he was good on the ball, made some good overlapping runs and defended well. Big, strong and fast. Dibling had the opportunity to release him, and made the wrong decision a couple of times. One shooting, when the pass was a bettet option, and then the other way when rohl hit traffic. That combination have potential. Rohl happy to overlap, and can cover the inevitable mistakes dibling will make. Dibling has a lazy looking style with those low socks. But look he is a talent, and has a good ability to cut in. Limited opposition, but I thought they looked promising. They will make mistakes. 59 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:33:38 - Grealish, paying his wages. I think we are well stocked with wide men, unless Ndiaye is sold and Grealish is late sop to fans - Rico Lewis, loan, option to buy - Ben White, loan option to buy - Delap, loan option to buy I wonder if there’s any legs in any of these.. 60 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:41:26 Rohl works his socks off but wasted at RB, and will be found out pretty quick in the PL I think. Hackney.. flitted in and out of the game, but watching him, I don't think he's a holding MF player, he doesn't seem to be strong in the tackle or time them very well, played some good passes though and looking forward always, I think a faster pace PL game will suit him. Armstrong... looks the real deal. Still forget how young he is, so graceful across the pitch, and growing in confidence with every minute. Ndiaye.. best player on the pitch. Would be so hard to replace his x factor, his turn of pace and close control just leave defences baffled. He may not score bag fulls but he occupies defences, draws 2-3 players to him, to make space for others. George.. always positive, has real confidence in his own ability, and isn't afraid to have to ball and try make things happen. He could develop into something really special. Johnson.. showed his instincts to get on the end of things and really should of got on the score sheet, wide man getting on the ends of crosses,, not seen that for a while !! Dibbling.. so much more positive, doing things quicker with more confidence in himself it looks like. Got to keep it up and go up levels too. Kdh the glue, he's the one! If he plays well, we will play well, he links it all, and I believe he's our key player this season, please manage him well. Overall we have some exciting young players, they won't be amazing every game, off days are inevitable, I think we need to be patient this season a good team could develop from these players. 61 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:45:33 Divering Dave strikes again 62 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:47:45 I don't know what you were watching, but Keane was totally at fault for the cross? 63 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:51:29 There is no such report. Forest and Chelsea are interested as we are. 64 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:52:56 65 Posted 15/08/2026 at 19:58:43 Also think Jake O’Brien is unfortunate to be singled out as at fault for their goal. Like anyone else he should only be judged when he’s had the opportunity to be paired with Jarrad for a number of games, so that he’s unlikely to be left looking like a total mug because someone else has already made things snafu. Thought Myko was average not good (he fruitlessly chased one guy all the way to our left wing after coughing up possession). I’d play Aznou now even if he might occasionally over-commit. Keane’s lack of mobility is even more pronounced (unsurprisingly). Hackney has very quickly established himself, Barry linked up nicely at times, Patto was pretty poor, Armstrong continues to mature as we all hope he can, Dibling is taking some significant steps in the right direction and Johnson showed he will at least keep opposing defences honest even if he may be a bit wasteful at times. 66 Posted 15/08/2026 at 20:02:08 67 Posted 15/08/2026 at 20:06:47 Finishing wins you games and, with 2 weeks left of the window, we all hope something happens; otherwise, it will be a hit or miss season with Barry and Beto. 68 Posted 15/08/2026 at 20:10:02 They are the third best team in France and are in the Champions League. 69 Posted 15/08/2026 at 21:30:40 70 Posted 15/08/2026 at 21:38:52 #62 - Keane totally at fault for the cross. Aznou makes a half hearted challenge and the ball goes wide and Keane goes over to cover. Keane gets beaten and the cross comes in and Aznou just blocks it back to the player who crosses to the unmarked player with O'Brien, Patterson and Johnson marking space. Yes, Keane was beaten by a player but I think he could have expected some assistance from the rest of his team. 71 Posted 15/08/2026 at 22:01:32 COYB! 72 Posted 15/08/2026 at 22:10:59 But as Basil Fawlty said specialist subject, the bleedin obvious 73 Posted 15/08/2026 at 23:51:29 But what do I know as a Toffee of over 60 years? 74 Posted 15/08/2026 at 23:59:56 Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW