Matchday Report ⚽️ | Ruthless Everton Hammer North Carolina
Date: 21 July 2023
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 3,024
Final Score: North Carolina 0–3 Everton
Everton bounced back in style with a dominant 3–0 victory over North Carolina FC, putting on a polished performance from front to back. Gavin Jones’ side controlled possession, created a flurry of chances, and looked comfortable throughout a one-sided affair.
First Half: Patience Pays Off ⚡️
Despite an initially stubborn North Carolina defence, Everton kept knocking on the door. The breakthrough finally came just before the break.
43’ | Goal – Arnaut Danjuma
A beautiful close-range finish via the post after a clever assist from Matthew Apter gave the Toffees the lead.
Second Half: Two More, No Mercy 🔥
56’ | Goal – Dominic Calvert-Lewin
A textbook header from inside the box, supplied by Vitaliy Mykolenko, doubled Everton’s lead. The left back made no mistake with a powerful finish into the corner.
88’ | Penalty Saved!
North Carolina were handed a lifeline with a late penalty, but Jordan Pickford denied Louis Perez with a brilliant diving stop.
90+2’ | Goal – Lewis Dobbin
Just moments after the save, Everton launched a counter and Dobbin curled home a third to seal the win in style.
Star of the Show ⭐️: Jordan Pickford
Another standout showing from the England international:
8.2 Match Rating
3 Saves, including a penalty
100% passing
Composed, alert, and always in control
By the Numbers 📊
| North Carolina | Everton | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 8 | 24 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 9 |
| xG | 1.84 | 3.12 |
| Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Pass accuracy | 85% | 91© |
| Corners | 12 | 14 |
| Fouls | 7 | 9 |
Other Standouts 📝
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (8.0): Led the line brilliantly, strong in the air and clinical in the box.
Nathan Patterson (8.0): Energetic and accurate—5 crosses completed with 100% dribble success.
Amadou Onana (7.6): Dominant in midfield, 100% passing and 3 interceptions.
Arnaut Danjuma (7.5): Took his goal well and was a constant outlet out wide.
Matthew Apter (7.3): Looked confident and got himself an assist.
Manager’s Reaction 🎙️
Gavin Jones (Everton Manager):
“That’s more like it. Controlled, patient, and clinical. We’ve spoken a lot about composure in the final third, and tonight we saw the reward for that. Really pleased with the clean sheet and the overall discipline.”
Jordan Pickford (Goalkeeper):
“Happy with the save, but more importantly we kept the pressure on and didn’t let them back in. Big step forward for us as a team.”
Fan Reactions 💬
@BlueInTheStates:
“Solid, sharp, and organised. Best we’ve looked all tour. Jonesball is cooking.”
@EvertonGlobal:
“Pickford saving pens for fun. Danjuma and DCL linking well. We’re starting to look dangerous.”
@NCFCLocal:
“No shame losing to a team that clinical. Everton are a class above.”
Final Thoughts 🔚
A confident, well-rounded performance from Everton with goals coming at key moments and a clean sheet to cap it off. Gavin Jones will be thrilled with the response after the NYCFC setback. With players like Dobbin stepping up and Pickford in inspired form, momentum is firmly back on the Toffees’ side.
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