Jake O’Brien of Everton runs with the ball during the Premier League Summer Series match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at MetLife Stadium on July 26, 2025 (Image: Emilee Chinn – Premier League/Getty Images))

Everton were thrashed 3-0 by Bournemouth in their opening Premier League Summer Series game at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The Blues had the better chances in what was an even first half but collapsed in spectacular fashion after the break.

Two goals in the space of just four minutes from substitute Philip Billing and Dango Ouattara pit David Moyes’ men on the back foot. The rout was then completed when a sloppy Jack O’Brien backpass was intercepted by Daniel Adu-Adjei before Thierno Barry was introduced for the final 15 minutes to make his debut.

Chris Beesley was in New Jersey for the ECHO, here’s how we rated the players:

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Jordan Pickford 6

Captaining Everton at the venue of next year’s World Cup final, the England number one will be disappointed to have been beaten three times, with the second goal having seen the ball go in off his near post, although he was left exposed for the third.

James Garner 6

Operating as a makeshift right-wing back, he was steady enough in a position he’s only played a few times with most of the problems seeming to be for Patterson who tucked inside next to him.

Nathan Patterson 5

Deployed as a right-sided centre-back of sorts, inside his wing-back, this was a tough outing for him as he’d already gifted Bournemouth a big chance when dallying in possession just outside his area and when Dango Ouattara tried to turn him inside out, he actually got a touch on the ball before the winger crashed it into the net.

Dwight McNeil 6

Everton’s left wing back, he showed his versatility having spent most of pre-season so far as an inverted right winger and while defending with discipline, he was also able to get forward to good effect, particularly in the opening exchanges.

Jake O’Brien 4

Spared Patterson’s blushes by being guilty of an even bigger blunder and while he came from nowhere for the second half of last season to excel for Moyes in a right-back role, having reverted to his favoured centre-back position here, he didn’t appear to look when aiming a back pass towards Pickford which was intercepted by substitute Daniel Adu-Adjei who gladly accepted his gift.

Vitalii Mykolenko 6

Playing as a left-sided centre-back in a defensive three, the Ukraine international arguably looked the most comfortable in his role and made some crucial interceptions.

Idrissa Gueye 6

Read the game well but he needs more leaders in there and was wisely taken off to give him some rest once the match was out of sight.

Tim Iroegbunam 6

Lively start as Everton’s most advanced central midfielder but like so many of his team-mates, it got a bit ragged after the break.

Charly Alcaraz 7

Had a decent first half chance and also set up Beto for his opportunity just before the break, his display was one of the few plus points.

Iliman Ndiaye 7

Looked to be getting back towards his best in the first half with a string of mazy runs and dazzling footwork but there was no way through after the break.

Beto 6

Went close to breaking the deadlock when played through by Alcaraz just before the break but his shot at full stretch was turned around the post by new Bournemouth keeper Djordje Petrovic.

Substitutes

Thierno Barry (on 75 for Beto)

On for his debut but these were tough circumstances to make his bow as Everton were chasing the game and there’s plenty more to come from him.

Youssef Chermiti (on 75 for Ndiaye)

Same as above for the young Portuguese striker with most of his outings continuing to be cameos.

Harrison Armstrong (on 75 for Iroegbunam)

More minutes for the teenager as Moyes continues to assess him.

Tyler Onyango (on 82 for Gueye)

Spent part of last season on loan at Stockport County so the fact he’s playing here shows how few options Moyes currently has at his disposal.