Preseason - Coventry City v Everton - Tuesday 30th July 2024

Everton continued to ramp up their fitness work ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign but were defeated 3-0 at Coventry City.

Blues Academy graduate and current Coventry No.9 Ellis Simms grabbed the opening goal of the contest midway through the first half before Ephron Mason-Clark and Victor Torp added second-half efforts for the hosts at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Iliman Ndiaye, who missed the weekend's trip to Salford City with a niggle, returned to action with 45 minutes of action, but the Blues remained without a host of senior players including James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson, who continue to work their way back from respective injuries, as well Jordan Pickford, who has been given extended leave after his international commitments, and new signings Jesper Lindstrøm and Jake O'Brien.

There was a poignant moment ahead of kick-off as the entire stadium – including a packed-out away end of Evertonians – stood and observed a period of applause for young Coventry City supporter Keaton Slater, who was tragically killed by a car which failed to stop earlier this summer, as well as all of those affected by Monday's appalling tragedy in Southport.

Ndiaye provided Everton's first threatening moment with 12 minutes on the clock, picking up possession on the edge of the penalty area before squeezing through a pair of defenders and beating another with a pirouette before Dominic Calvert-Lewin took over and fired a shot wide of goalkeeper Oliver Dovin's right-hand post. The offside flag was eventually raised against Calvert-Lewin in any case.

Simms applied a simple finish for the first goal of the match nine minutes later, slotting in from close range after Bobby Thomas had kept Milan van Ewijk's cross alive.

Everton went close to a response after half an hour of play, James Garner tenaciously winning the ball in midfield and finding Calvert-Lewin, whose shot was saved down low by Dovin.

Another chance fell Calvert-Lewin's way as half-time approached but, after seizing on a loose pass in the Coventry defence, could only divert his shot straight at Dovin.

Tim Iroegbunam looked bright in possession once again and his willingness to drive forward in possession was highlighted in two plays in quick succession at the start of the second half, only for the Blues to squander possession at the vital moment in the final third.

Mason-Clark headed in van Ewijk's deep cross on 61 minutes to extend Coventry's advantage before Torp stepped off the bench to add a third off with a low effort that went in off the inside of the post with 14 minutes remaining.

Youngsters Roman Dixon and Elijah Campbell were given late run-outs for the Blues, while Dyche handed 90-minute outings to Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, James Garner, Iroegbunam, Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison for the first time of pre-season.

Next up for the Toffees is a trip to Deepdale to take on Preston North End on Saturday (3pm BST).

Everton FC