Stoke City 0-1 Everton: Amadou Onana bags 96th minute winner, while Dwight McNeil limps off the pitch as fears grow for key player’s injury

Everton clinched a narrow victory over championship side Stoke City at an away friendly ahead of the new Premier League season. 

The hard-fought victory provided a test for Sean Dyche’s team, with new signing Arnaut Danjuma making a debut appearance for the Toffees after joining on loan earlier this month. 

Dyche opted for a 4-3-3 formation against the Championship club, starting Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, and new signing Ashley Young from Aston Villa.

England’s Jordan Pickford returned to the starting line-up and had few attempts on goal from Stoke City to defend. 

Sean Dyche joined Everton after former manager Frank Lampard was sacked in January 2023

Stoke City put on a strong display against Everton, though concerns for winger Dwight McNeil were raised after he limped off the pitch halfway through the second half

Jordan Pickford confirmed he has no plans to leave Everton this summer after signing a new contract with the Toffees in February 2023, despite interest from other English clubs

Arnaut Danjuma joined Everton on a one-season loan deal after moving to Tottenham originally

Idrissa Gana Gueye, James Garner and Abdoulaye Doucoure started in midfield for the Toffees, with Alex Iwobi, Dwight McNeil and Dutch forward Danjuma up front. 

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was absent from the squad, as the 26-year-old eyes a move to Italian club Roma who are seeking a replacement for Tammy Abraham following an ACL injury.

Stoke made a strong start to the match, although it was Everton with the first big chance of the game. Former Aston Villa full-back Ashley Young delivered a cross from a free-kick in towards Keane and Doucoure, though the shot was blocked. 

Young showed an impressive display, making some key interceptions. The Blues showed some troubling signs when the opposition were pressing high, though managed to improve as the game progressed. 

The substitution of Amadou Onana made an instant impact for the Toffees, making an immediate attempt on goal which skirted just wide of the post.

The pressure piled on from Stoke, forcing England’s No. 1 to make a save in the penalty area, though the Championship side continued to press high against Everton’s defence. 

Dwight McNeil scored seven goals and three assists for Everton during the 2022-23 season 

English winger Dwight McNeil left the pitch injured after being brought down in the box

Amadou Onana scored a last-minute winner for Everton against Championship side Stoke City

Winger Dwight McNeil was brought down at the edge of the box, and was later substituted off and seen hobbling down the tunnel. 

McNeil was the Blues’s top scorer last season, and was a strong boost to a shaky Everton side during their fight against relegation in the 2022-23 league campaign. 

With six minutes of added time, the game was goalless before a 96th minute corner allowed Amadou Onana to send the ball into the net from Tarkowski’s header, sealing a victory for Sean Dyche’s side.

Everton will face Sporting CP at Goodison Park on Saturday 5th August before the 2023-24 Premier League season begins.