Tickle - didn't have loads to do but did everything very well. Made a couple of decent saves, very composed with his feet and on the attack pushed high out of his box to give defenders another passing option if needed. A very modern looking goal keeper and he doesn't look like a kid just getting started. It's early days so I'm going to stop short of making any bold claims after only seeing him play 2 games but I can see why Maloney was so excited about him.
McHugh - not a natural right back but rotated between there and centre mid as we attacked and defended. Didn't really do much wrong or shine but I think you could see he wasn't a natural defender at times. I don't think he'll likely play there in competitive games.
Hughes - superb defensively and composed on the ball.
Morrison - very good first impression, probably overshadowed by Hughes but wasn't far behind him.
McClean - in the first half switched between left back and centre half and did well but wasnt afforded any opportunity to get forward. He's really grown into a good defender. Later in the second half he was given more freedom to drive forward and make things happen.
Smith - very classy performance, always making himself available and used the ball so well. He was what Max Power was trying to be but he was nowhere near the quality of Smith. MOTM for me and was doing the water carrier / link man / pivot role that every good team needs. He looks a real player, and reminded me of Fabregas or Xavi in the way he played.
Aasgard - started in centre mid but tended to play more like a no10 when we attacked. Showed some really classy moments and impressed in the first half but was guilty a few times of trying to do too much and losing the ball. Drifted out of the game in the second half as we had less of the ball and ended up playing up front for a spell which didn't work. He's clearly got a lot of talent but he hasn't quite put it all together yet.
Humphrys - provided the majority of our threat, played very much as a traditional winger, hugging the touch line and caused Everton lots of issues. Put in some decent crosses that no one got on the end of and had a couple of shots, one of which required a very good reaction save from Pickford. Very impressive return, he's clearly got a lot to offer and he's finally going to get a long overdue fair chance to show it. He's never really been a proper striker but seemed to thrive today with a change of position and given the ball on the floor to run with. Probably guilty a couple of times of not tracking back as well as he could but I guess that's tge trade off you accept with that type of player.
McManaman - started brightly, cutting inside to get shots off and cause Everton a few issues. Like Humphrys was at times a bit guilty of not tracking the full backs overlaps but again you know that's not his game. But he noticeably tired and faded as you got deeper in the game, by about 60 mins he had completely ran out of gas which he used to do in his prime, so it is something you have to expect. He's still carries a threat but I think he'll probably be used more as an impact sub when everyone is fit so he doesn't have to worry about pacing himself.
Lang - played in the no10 role which Keane used to fill and being more central rather than on the right probably gave him less opportunity to get into 1 on 1s and beat his man which is his strength. Had a decent game but was seemingly trying to play others in rather than go himself. Personally I've always felt Lang is better on the wing so we'll see how he adapts as the season goes but wouldn't shock me if he ends up back out wide eventually. Should've had a clear penalty but ref didn't give it.
Wyke - no matter how much football you play you need a physical presence up front to play off and Wyke gave us that in the first half. He wasn't necessarily winning loads of headers but he was just able to battle and push their defenders back and create space for others to play in. He tired and faded from the game in the second half and it completely changed the momentum as we couldn't keep the ball up the field and it kept coming back at us. It really highlighted the desperate need for another physical striker to be signed as once Wyke ran out of steam there was no one else able to play that role and we couldn't play the way we did so effectively without that. We can't bank on Wyke doing 90 mins every game, Humphrys looks like he'll be used in midfield and Magennis is injured and unreliable so it's an absolute must we bring someone in to play that target man role (even if we aren't going to be pumping it long).
Subs
Whatmough - wasn't suprised but disappointed to see him start on the bench as I fear we are preparing for life without him. But him coming on hopefully indicates there's a chance we keep him. Did well once he came on.
Pearce - came on and played left and right wing, put some decent crosses in but didn't really make too much of an impact. I know Maloney likes inverted wingers but I don't think it suits Pearce as he's better on the left to get crosses in easier.
Balagizi - came on when we'd lost our way a bit way playing in attacking mid and initially seemed to struggle to get into the game but in the closing stages started to find his feet. Didn't really make a big impression but showed a couple of glimpses of quality.
Brennan - came on on the left wing and looked a bit hesitent like many young players do. Put in a decent cross for Sze.
Adeeko - when he came on Everton were not pressing as much so he had more time and space but looked very composed and confident trying to play Smiths role.
Sze - managed to get a difficult header on target but didn't really see much else of the ball. Still not physically filled out so might find the battle with centre halves a tough one at the moment.