Everton player ratings and scores from the Premier League Summer Series friendly match with West Ham United in Chicago
09:04, 31 Jul 2025Updated 09:30, 31 Jul 2025
ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005. He cut his teeth in professional sports journalism at the Ellesmere Port Pioneer and then the Welsh edition of the Daily Post, where he also covered Manchester United.
Prior to that he worked on the student newspaper Pluto at the University of Central Lancashire, a role in which he first encountered David Moyes. Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: “Is that your dad’s suit you’ve got on?” while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
Everton slumped to a second straight defeat in the Premier League Summer Series, losing 2-1 to West Ham United at Soldier Field, Chicago, despite taking the lead through Idrissa Gueye.
The Senegal international, who led the Blues out as captain, fired a low shot through the fingers of Irons keeper Wes Foderingham. But once again David Moyes’ men were their own worst nightmare.
Lucas Paqueta levelled in the first half after he was left with a tap-in when new goalkeeper Mark Travers made a mess of punching a high ball into the box. The turnaround was completed midway through the second half when West Ham substitute Niclas Fullkrug picked his spot to arrow in a low shot at the back post.
READ MORE: Bayern Munich make statement after Adam Aznou completes Everton transferREAD MORE: I saw Everton going above and beyond in Chicago as USA impact clear
Mark Travers 4
Facing Premier League opposition for the first time with Everton following his move from Bournemouth, he made a couple of decent stops to deny Callum Marshall and Freddie Potts. There is no sugar-coating the mess he made with dealing with Max Kilman’s diagonal ball into the box, though, leaving Paqueta with a tap-in to equalise.
He later could not get near Fullkrug’s low shot for West Ham’s second goal, although he kept his head to deny the German another late on.
Nathan Patterson 5
Back in the more familiar right wing-back role rather than on the right of a centre-back trio, although there weren’t many marauding runs in the fashion we know he’s capable of. Was replaced at half-time.
Vitalii Mykolenko 6
Started as a left-sided centre-back again but looked more comfortable after he reverted into his usual left-back berth. He had a decent chance from a first half header, but his technique was all wrong.
Jake O’Brien 6
Better after his shaky showing at the MetLife Stadium where his under-hit back pass gifted Bournemouth a third goal. There was still a nervous moment when this time he overhit a header back to Travers.
Michael Keane 7
Back to fitness to ensure Everton were at least able to field more than one natural centre-back, this was a solid showing.
Idrissa Gueye 7
Leading the team out as captain, he led by example with a darting run into the area to open the scoring with a daisy-cutter of a shot that was nevertheless too hot for Wes Foderingham to handle. Was generally bright and breezy.
Tim Iroegbunam 5
Worked hard, providing plenty of energy, but often found himself on the periphery of the action before being withdrawn at the interval.
Harrison Armstrong 7
Another encouraging display from the 18-year-old prospect, who showed he was not out of place in two different midfield roles. He set up Gueye for his goal with a nicely weighted pass after a slick run before moving back into the engine room after the break.
Dwight McNeil 5
Another one who found himself shunted around the pitch because of the current lack of strength in depth with the Everton squad, he started at left wing-back before switching over to the right wing but his deliveries needed to be sharper from both areas.
Iliman Ndiaye 6
A few exciting dribbles and he always looks capable of making something happen, but while it was easy on the eye, there was no end product this time.
Beto 5
His strength kept West Ham’s defenders on their toes but there weren’t any clear cut opportunities that came his way before going off at the break.
KICK OFF – Everton F.C. pre-season guide 2025/26
The countdown is on to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign – and our pre-season guide is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead.
As well as in-depth analysis and opinion on your club, we turn the spotlight on every team battling for top-flight glory – or simply survival in the toughest league in the world!
Also full fixtures guide so you don’t miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season.
Get your copy NOW
Substitutes
Charly Alcaraz (on 46 for Iroegbunam) 5
Played the full second half but struggled to make an impact.
James Garner (on 46 for Nathan Patterson) 5
Deployed at right wing-back, he kept plugging away but Fullkrug’s winner came down his side. He was booked in stoppage time for bringing down Luis Guilherme.
Thierno Barry (on 46 for Beto) 6
Following on from what David Moyes thought was an encouraging debut, there were a couple of crosses swung in his way as he made his presence felt and he had a late chance from Heath’s low cross.
James Tarkowski (on 69 for Gueye) 7
Welcome first outing since April following his recovery from an operation for a hamstring injury.
Youssef Chermiti (on 69 for Ndiaye) 5
Brought on in a left-sided attacking role, he looks like a Championship loan would benefit him but Everton just don’t have the numbers to do that just yet.
Isaac Heath (on 80 for McNeil)
Another chance for senior minutes late on for the Under-21 team’s player of last season, he produced a bright cameo.