A smart finish from rising star Dominic Calvert-Lewin confirms Everton’s progress in the Europa League following a generally uneventful evening in Slovakia.
Ruzomberok 0 Everton 1 (0-2 on aggregate)
A Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal settled the second leg of Everton’s Europa League tie with Slovakian side Ruzomberok, with the Toffees now through to the competition’s play-off stage.
The England U19 international came on in the second half and finished smartly from the edge of the area after being released by Davy Klaassen.
Everton controlled a rather drab match, dominating possession and having 12 shots to their hosts’ four, but the lack of overall quality on show was demonstrated by the fact that the Toffees managed only two attempts on target.
Manager Ronald Koeman played four at the back in the first leg, but switched to a three-man defence of skipper Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Michael Keane in Slovakia.
Tom Davies and Leighton Baines were used as wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation in which Wayne Rooney and Sandro played up front, with Klaassen in the number 10 role just behind them.
Fantasy veteran Baines has consistently produced points as a left-back over the years. Should he spend time this season in a more advanced position, he could become a very attractive option indeed.
As for Davies, who managed two goals and three assists from a limited run in central midfield last year, he might struggle to repeat the feat from a wider and more defensive role. He did, however, impress, bringing an energy and verve notably lacking in Cuco Martina when he played as a right-back in the first leg.
Should Davies be utilised as a right wing-back in the continued absence of Seamus Coleman, it doesn’t look good news for the Fantasy prospects of either Martina or Mason Holgate as 4.5 options in defence.
Jordan Pickford made his debut in the Everton goal and would probably have wished for more to do as he bids to make the number one jersey his own, while up front, Rooney, Sandro and Klaassen again indulged in some nice interplay but produced little in the way of end product.
That was left to Calvert-Lewin, who replaced Sandro and played centrally, with Rooney allowed a freer role. Koeman used a similar tactic in the first match and Rooney looked more comfortable in both ties when not required to operate solely in the centre.
Whether that means Calvert-Lewin could be handed a regular role up front remains to be seen, although Koeman was quick to praise him, and hint at his future, post-match.
“Maybe Dominic feels a bit more comfortable as one of two strikers. He’s strong, he’s fast and he scored a great goal.”
His price – 5.0 in Fantasy Premier League and 7.8m in the Sky game – is classic budget third striker material, but how much pitch-time he’ll be handed is the great unknown.
What is beyond doubt is Everton’s daunting start to the domestic season. An opening day visit by Stoke City is the calm before a storm involving last year’s top three and a trip to Man United.
At least the Toffees now have two competitive matches under their belt, and they go into today’s play-off draw with another two-legged tie awaiting them on August 17 and 24.
In domestic terms, the first leg is four days prior to a Gameweek 2 trip to Manchester City, with the second leg taking place two days before a Gameweek 3 visit to Chelsea.
Progress past the play-offs and they will qualify for the group stages of European football’s most gruelling slog, throwing the risk of rotation into the mix of their squad.
Everton: Pickford; Williams, Keane, Jagielka; Davies, Schneiderlin (Barry 81), Gueye, Baines, Klaassen; Sandro (Calvert-Lewin 69), Rooney (Mirallas 86).
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Martina, Holgate, Lookman.
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