Everton 1 Ruzomberok 0: Toffees get slender lead over Slovakian club in Europa qualifier – but how did their new names get on?
Cuco Martina, Davy Klaassen, Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane all made their competitive bows for the club - but as Wayne Rooney returned to Goodison as a Blue for first time in 4,800 days
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HERE'S how the Everton new boys got on in their 1-0 Europa League qualifying win against Ruzomberok.
Leighton Baines scored the only goal of the game with a second half strike that featured a host of new signings for the Toffees.
Toffee crisp or Blue it?
CUCO MARTINA
Got forward well and whipped in two fizzing crosses. Looked a worthy stand-in for injured right-back Seamus Coleman.
VERDICT: Toffee Crisp
MICHAEL KEANE
Nearly scored from a free-kick but close-range header was deflected wide. Had almost nothing to do at the back.
VERDICT: Toffee Crisp
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DAVY KLAASSEN
Showed his pedigree with some fine touches. At the heart of Everton’s best work and made a couple of timely runs.
VERDICT: Toffee Crisp
WAYNE ROONEY
Led the line and looked fired up. But showed nothing to suggest his best days are not well and truly behind him.
VERDICT: Blue It
SANDRO RAMIREZ
Came on and helped pick up the tempo of the game.
Showed good movement and had a string of efforts on goal.
VERDICT: Toffee Crisp
Match stats
- Leighton Baines scored his first goal for Everton in 19 games — since netting a penalty v Southampton in January.
- This was only Everton’s second win in their last six games in all competitions, the only other a 1-0 victory at home to Watford in May.
- Davy Klaassen became Everton’s sixth Dutch player in the Premier League era, joining Heitinga, Drenthe, Van der Meyde, Westerweld and Stekelenburg.
- Wayne Rooney played his first competitive game for Everton since v Man City in the Prem on May 15, 2004 — a whopping 4,820 days ago!
- Rooney also made his 100th appearance across European competitions — 88 in the Champions League, one in the Uefa Super Cup and now 11 in the Europa League.