Everton’s pre-season campaign ended in defeat as the Blues failed to trouble their Catalan visitors, who held their lead from Leo Baptisato’s seventh minute penalty.
The game was Ronald Koeman’s first at Goodison Park as Toffees manager, and the Dutchman will have been frustrated at his side’s inablity to offer any attacking threat to their limited opponents.
Ross Barkley had a fantastic chance to equalise with a penalty on the stroke of half time, after a foul on Gerard Deulofeu, but his effort was comfortably saved. Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku both squandered half chances in the second period, but the Blues would have been fortunate to claim a draw.
Here a four things we learned from a frustrating afternoon at Goodison Park.
Blues desperately needed reinforcements
Everton’s struggles to create chances and maintain consistent possession were exposed time and again by Espanyol, who’s defence was virtually untroubled by Lukaku, and later Arouna Kone. The lack of pace going forward is a real issue, as unless Lukaku has speed and energy around him he becomes isolated and ineffective.
A versatile forward player and an alternative to Gareth Barry and James McCarthy in midfield are priorities, although Everton do not appear well stocked in a number of other areas.
Koeman has been linked with a number of high-profile transfers this summer, including Axel Witsel, Juan Mata and Shane Long. However interest in all three appears to have decreased, but Koeman may have to revisit these options if he is to make a successful start at Goodison.
New guy Gueye can fill the Besic gap
The news of yet another injury to Mo Besic earlier this week caused real frustration amongst Blues fans, anxious about the absence of the tenacity offered by the Bosnian midfielder.
However the performance of summer signing Idrissa Gueye in midfield against Espanyol showed that he could be the ideal candidate to fill Besic’s role.
He did give away the penalty that lead it Espanyol’s goal, however the Senegalese international refused to let that effect him and he worked tirelessly in midfield alongside Barry. His role at Everton is likely to be as a midfield destroyer, and the early signs look promising.
Mirallas finally set to come in from the cold
Kevin Mirallas looks set for an increased role under Koeman this season, despite looking very likely to leave the club earlier this summer.
Mirallas played a reduced role under Roberto Martinez last season, making just 23 Premier League appearances, mostly as a substitute, and reports claimed he was unhappy on Merseyside and seeking an exit.
However he has featured regularly in pre-season, and his performance showed that his confidence and drive is slowly returning, and he offered the only real potential of a late goal.
Stones saga needs settling before Spurs
The future of defender John Stones, and his potential move to Manchester City, has followed Everton this summer and the Blues need to decide on him before they play Tottenham on August 13th.
Observers of the former Barnsley man could point that his body language is that of an unhappy player, however his performance level has not dropped in pre-season.
Everton’s valuation of him remains the biggest obstacle to a move, but if he is to leave Koeman needs time to find a replacement and top quality centre backs are not always easy to find.