It ended with ‘oles’ from the Everton end and fans in black and white shirts streaming for the exits.This was a job well done for David Moyes’ side, who overcame Newcastle United 3-1 at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in their penultimate pre-season friendly.Thierno Barry, Iliman Ndiaye and Tyrique George scored the goals in a comprehensive win that also saw 19-year-old midfielder Harrison Armstrong shine.Questions remain, both over the fitness of key players in central midfield and, most pertinently, their options at full-back, but this was a positive outing in the Scottish capital that eased at least some concerns over Everton’s potential readiness for the new campaign.Here, The Athletic looks at the main talking points.Barry edging ahead in No 9 race?It has been a summer of progress for Barry. The Frenchman netted his third goal of pre-season here — a smartly taken first-half finish on his weaker foot — and continues to show signs of improvement with his hold-up play.The 23-year-old forced Newcastle’s defenders into errors, linked attacks and was a willing outlet in the channels. He also played a key role in a first-half chance for Ndiaye, finding the Senegal international with an incisive pass in the box.Barry ended a hit-and-miss first season at Everton behind Beto, and with much still to prove. But he has been the better of the two strikers so far this summer and surely has a decent chance of starting the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 22.Thierno Barry is staking a claim as Everton’s No 1 striker (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)The hard work this summer appears to be paying off.“I see a lot of commentary about me, and I don’t think I had a season where I showed who I am,” Barry said after Wednesday’s game. “The first season coming to a new league is difficult. It’s new defenders, the best defenders in the world, so I needed to adapt and trained a lot this summer for that.“I know more about my team-mates now. I have a good connection with Tyrique, Iliman, with everybody.“I’m just trying to work a lot on my confidence. It’s the first time (in summer) where I did two weeks where I didn’t touch the ball. I just focus on my mindset.“And when I start to touch the ball, just (do it) with confidence, because I know I can play. I know I can do a lot of things. And now I just need to show it.”An open door for ArmstrongOpportunity beckons in the Everton midfield, at least as far as the Palace opener is concerned.New signing Christian Norgaard has been carrying an injury this summer and is behind in his pre-season programme, while James Garner is working his way back from groin surgery.Tim Iroegbunam, meanwhile, was also missing against Newcastle after limping out of the 3-1 defeat to Stuttgart on Saturday, and could well leave before the end of the window.So this was a good time for Armstrong to excel against Premier League opposition. Starting as one of two No 8s in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with £16.5million ($22m) arrival Hayden Hackney behind, the academy graduate delivered an all-action performance and two assists.Armstrong is aggressive off the ball, mobile and calm in possession. He also showed composure to pick out Barry and George in the box for their goals.Harrison Armstrong showed composure in midfield (Stu Forster/Getty Images)Everton initially struggled tracking Joelinton’s runs from midfield, but then dominated after the opener. Armstrong was a big part of that, and continues to grow in confidence and stature.There remains question marks as to whether he will get the required minutes at Everton to continue his promising development this season, particularly given the options at Moyes’ disposal.But he may well be needed in the short term, at the very least. On this form, don’t bet against him taking his chance.Ndiaye shows quality, but amid uncertain futureWith less than three weeks to go until the close of the transfer window, Ndiaye remains an Everton player. That is good news for the Merseyside club, who rely on the Senegalese’s game-changing ability in the final third.The 26-year-old offered a reminder of his talents on his first pre-season start, regularly evading Newcastle challenges to work Everton into dangerous positions. He spurned a big first-half chance from Barry’s pass, but scored a typically composed penalty to put Everton 2-0 up.Ndiaye plunged his long-term future at Everton into doubt by turning down a number of contract offers last season. Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have shown interest in his services, but his preference is to remain in the Premier League, and he harbours hopes of playing in the Champions League.It is getting to the point now where it would be immensely challenging to find an adequate replacement were he to leave. And that must be factored into the equation too, should Everton’s resolve be tested.Full-back issues persistMid-August, and still no new right-back.The search for a solution to Everton’s longstanding issue continues, and must surely end soon if Moyes’ side are serious about kicking on this season.While it was positive to see an actual right-sided player, Nathan Patterson, named in the starting lineup, the Scotland international is likely to be deemed surplus to requirements should a suitable offer arrive.Everton struggled in both full-back positions at Murrayfield, particularly early on, as Newcastle attempted to release their speedy wingers Anthony Elanga and Bazoumana Toure with direct balls into the channels.Toure peppered the box with crosses, while on the other side, left-back Vitalii Mykolenko gifted possession to Elanga for a big early chance.Patterson provided the pinpoint cross for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s saved first-half effort, but was substituted soon after the break as a precaution. He was replaced by versatile midfielder Merlin Rohl, who again gave a good account of himself, but very much remains a square peg in a round hole.Everton continue to sound out a number of right-backs over a potential move. They have shown interest in Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz, among others, but it remains to be seen whether they proceed with a move for the Colombia international.The clock is ticking.