Bohemians 1 Everton 1: Full Time Report

MIKEL ARTETA made a welcome return to the Everton starting line-up for their hastily arranged friendly match in Dublin.

But a Blues team featuring a mix of senior stars and youngsters were held by Irish League part-timers Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Arteta hadn’t featured since suffering a foot injury during the Blues pre-season tour of the USA and might have struggled to make the starting line-up had Everton kicked off their Premier League campaign at Tottenham last Saturday.

But he enjoyed a lengthy run-out in Ireland ahead of Saturday’s Goodison curtain raiser against Queens Park Rangers, playing 68 minutes before making way for Jose Baxter.

The Spaniard couldn’t help inspire an Everton victory though.

The visitors took the lead with a well constructed goal by Jermaine Beckford after just eight minutes – and young Ross Barkley was influentially involved.

The talented teenager crossed to the far post where Marouane Fellaini nodded precisely back across goal for Beckford to tap in.

After 57 minutes Anichebe slid a shot just pass the post after being released by Osman, then Arteta nutmegged a defender, dashed to the bvline and cut back a cross for Jack Rodwell whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.

But in the 65th minute Bohemians equalised. Anto Flood cut in from the right and fired past Tim Howard.

Substitute Apostolos Vellios almost restored Everton’s lead within two minutes, flicking narrowly wide from Garbutt’s whipped in cross.

Then Vellios and Osman were both denied by the keeper as Everton tried to end their unexpectedly extended pre-season campaign on a winning note.

The big Greek striker enjoyed another lively 45 minutes and he fired over the bar from long range just two minutes from time but that was Everton’s last opportunity in a well contested clash.

EVERTON: Mucha (Howard 45), Hibbert, Heitinga (Distin 45), Duffy (Mustafi 45), Garbutt, Arteta (Baxter 68), Fellaini (Neville 68), Rodwell, Barkley (Osman 45), Beckford (Vellios 45), Anichebe (Bilyaletdinov 68).

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