International Break Recap - How did Everton Players Get On?

It’s been a well-timed international break for Everton following an early-season injury crisis.

Richarlison and Fraser Hornby both made headlines during the period, but there was more bad news for Blues as Seamus Coleman picked up an injury while playing for Ireland, as did Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the Young Lions.

Below, I’ve taken a look at all the Blues in action for their respective countries.

Richarlison - Brazil

Richarlison stole the show – again – this time for Brazil, as he made his first start for the Canarinho’s in a 5-0 demolition of El Salvador. The 21-year won a penalty in the second minute – which Neymar duly dispatched – before scoring a beautiful curling effort on 16 minutes and then powering in a second just after half-time.

The 21-year-old made his Brazil debut just a few days earlier, coming off the bench for the 2-0 win over USA.

Seamus Coleman – Republic of Ireland

Bad news for Evertonians. Seamus Coleman has picked up another injury on international duty, this time a stress fracture in his foot – which should hopefully not rule him out for more than a month. Coleman captained Ireland in their 4-1 defeat to Wales at the weekend, playing the full 90 minutes despite picking up the injury.

Opportunity beckons for Jonjoe Kenny.

Jordan Pickford - England

Played the full 90 minutes in England’s 2-1 defeat at home to Spain. There was little Pickford could do about Spain’s goals, but he still made newspaper headlines due to the fact his personalized boots featured the quote “get the rave on”, with Stan Collymore even having the audacity to question the shot stopper’s professionalism.

Henry Onyekuru - Nigeria

The youngster, on-loan at Galatasaray, returned to the Nigeria line-up for a bizarre game that saw former world player of the year, and current Liberia president, George Weah (now 51) play for 79 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria. Onyekuru scored his first Nigeria goal in the outing.

Antonee Robinson - USA

Robinson’s third appearance for the US was his most disappointing so far. Facing Brazil, the Wigan loanee was beaten time and again by Juventus’ Douglas Costa. It highlighted the great strides Robinson still needs to make with regards to his defensive game.

The youngster dropped to the bench for USA’s 1-0 win over Mexico, but made up for his poor display against Neymar and co by coming on in 56^th minute and changing the dynamic of the game with his direct style of play down the wing. Indeed, Robinson even provided the assist for USA’s winner – a driven cross that was turned in by 19-year-old Tyler Adams.

Cenk Tosun - Turkey

Cenk Tosun played the full 90 minutes of both Turkey’s 2-1 home defeat to Russia, as well their remarkable late turn around against Sweden. In the latter game, Turkey were 2-0 down to Sweden before pulling off a miraculous second half comeback. The Turks equalised in the 88^th minute (with thanks to a lovely flicked assist from Tosun) before grabbing a 92^nd minute winner at the Friends Arena.

Still no goals for Cenk unfortunately, meaning he hasn’t scored in a competitive fixture since April.

Gylfi Sigurdsson - Iceland

It was a torrid week for Iceland, as they were battered 6-0 away to Switzerland, before losing 3-0 at home to Belgium. Iceland are normally known for being well-organised and hard to beat, but new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson couldn’t have got off to a worse start. It seems like the days of over-achieving Iceland are finished.

Sigurdsson played the full 90 minutes in both games but had little influence.

Under 21s

18-year-old Fraser Hornby stole the show for Scotland under-21s, scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Andorra, before netting a brace in the 2-1 win over Holland – including an eye-catching lob from 40 years after the keeper was caught in no man’s land. It surely won’t be long before this lad gets a look-in at Goodison Park.

There were plenty of young Blues in action for England under-21s, meanwhile. Dominic Calvert-Lewin started in the goalless draw with the Netherlands, before coming off just after the hour mark, while Tom Davies played the final half hour.

The Three Lions then visited Latvia, with Tom Davies and Kieran Dowell playing the full 90 minutes, and Ademola Lookman taken off after 63 minutes of a quiet showing. Calvert-Lewin came on for the dying moments of a 2-1 win.

Shayne Lavery also got among the goals, scoring for Northern Ireland U21s in a 2-1 shock win over Spain.