Everton were unable to down a second European heavyweight in four days as Real Madrid recorded a 2-1 win over the Blues in LA.
After Wednesday’s victory over Juventus, hopes were high of a second big scalp but first half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil dictated otherwise.
The scoreline was harsh on Everton who had a penalty shout, hit the post and saw a goal controversially disallowed.
They eventually pulled a goal back via a sharp Nikcia Jelavic finish but couldn’t find a leveller.
Jelavic produces a trademark predator’s goal
Roberto Martinez sent his side out in a more traditional 4-5-1 formation and they absorbed Real’s possession in the first exchanges.
Then, on five minutes, Kevin Mirallas cut in from the right and screwed a left foot effort wide.
But Madrid’s movement off the ball was causing problems and Ronaldo stabbed a volley over after peeling off Sylvain Distin in the 10th minute.
He made no mistake next time though, racing clear, rounding Tim Howard and passing the ball into the empty net.
Everton appealed for a penalty in the 20th minute when the lively Kevin Mirallas was fouled but the referee deemed that the challenge was outside the box.
Seamus Coleman surges forward
That signalled a spell of Toffees pressure and Marouane Fellaini’s towering header from a corner struck the post.
Real launched a counter and it required a lung-bursting run and challenge from Leon Osman to prevent a second goal.
More questionable refereeing frustrated Everton before the half hour when Distin had a goal harshly ruled out
It proved a key decision as seconds later Ronaldo had squared for Ozil to double the Spaniards’ advantage.
Distin sees his effort chalked off
Just before the break the German playmaker’s sublime outside-of the-left-foot pass had Ronaldo in again but Jagielka and Coleman got back to deny the Portuguese.
Howard repelled Karim Benzema’s low drive at the start of the second period and Everton forced a couple of half chances before the USA custodian clawed half-time sub Angel Di Maria’s shot away.
Those interventions were valuable as Everton pulled a goal back on the hour via a clinical Jelavic finish. He dispatched Naismith’s knockdown from Coleman’s deep cross to give his side renewed hope.
Ross Barkley and Darron Gibson came on for Everton but it was goalscorer Jelavic who sent a free kick a couple of yards over with 15 minutes left.
Jagielka headed over with a late Blues chance but they couldn’t force a dramatic leveller.
Everton now head to Miami for the final game of the USA tour.
Five Filters recommends: ‘You Say What You Like, Because They Like What You Say’ – http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/731-you-say-what-you-like-because-they-like-what-you-say.html
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