EVERTON have backed striker Neal Maupay after the Frenchman was targeted by sickening social media abuse.
Maupay, 26, was selected by boss Sean Dyche for the Toffees' Premier League season opener against Fulham.
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park, courtesy of Bobby Decordova-Reid's 73rd minute effort.
After the match, during which Maupay was substituted in the 72nd minute, the former Brentford and Brighton ace shared a screenshot of disgusting online abuse he had received.
A vile Instagram message read: "Hi, I hope your mom is in grave!"
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Sharing it to his Instagram Story, Maupay wrote: "This is what I get for not scoring. No one should ever deal with this."
On his disappointment at the defeat, he added: "Gutted about the result today, we tried our best it wasn't enough."
After the match, a club statement read: "Everton Football Club condemns all forms of personal abuse directed towards our players and their families or any Club staff on social media.
"We stand firmly against such behaviour and are investigating the social media accounts that have targeted Neal Maupay.
"We also encourage anyone using these platforms to report, condemn and highlight any such abuse to the social media platforms on which it appears.
"Discrimination and hate has no place in our game."
Quizzed about his striker by the BBC, Dyche said: "I want all players to get in the right areas and Neal did. You have to keep getting there to score goals.
"Eventually, if you create that many chances and keep doing it relentlessly, you will score goals and win games.
"That is what I have learned in my life in football."
Everton's No9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn't yet deemed fit enough to feature following a string of injury woes.
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While new signing Arnaut Danjuma began the match on the bench.
