Everton began their pre-season campaign in style with a commanding 4-0 victory over Scottish Premiership side Dundee at Dens Park on July 18, 2026.
What happened at Dens Park?
The Blues started slowly but took control after the break, with Beto opening the scoring in the 38th minute from a deflected effort. Substitute Thierno Barry doubled the lead in the 69th minute after a goalkeeping error, before Harvey Foster extended the advantage in the 82nd minute. Dwight McNeil added the fourth in stoppage time, rounding off a comfortable win.
Everton’s seven-game pre-season schedule now begins in earnest ahead of their Premier League return. The win follows a difficult end to last season, where they finished 13th with 49 points from 38 games and a goal difference of -3.
Why it matters for Everton
David Moyes will take positives from the performance, particularly the impact of youngsters like Foster and the attacking contributions from substitutes. The defensive lapses from Dundee were exploited, but the Blues showed composure in possession and creativity in attack.
With a league standing of 13th in the Premier League and just three wins from their last five matches, every pre-season win counts. Their next fixture comes away to Bolton on July 25, 2026.
Key talking points from the clash
Beto’s early strike set the tone, though Dundee’s poor defending and goalkeeping errors made the contest one-sided. Foster’s goal was a standout moment, while McNeil’s late finish capped a controlled display.
The Blues’ recent form reads LLLDD, with their last result a 1-0 loss to Tottenham on May 24, 2026. Moyes will hope this performance signals a turnaround as they chase a top-half finish.
Everton sit 36 points behind league leaders Arsenal, but a strong pre-season could lay the groundwork for a better campaign. The squad now heads into their next friendly with momentum on their side.
