EVERTON FC ended their pre-season preparations with a narrow defeat by Champions League hopefuls Malaga as David Moyes’ men got the stern test they required in Southern Spain.
The Toffees were equal to Manuel Pellegrini’s La Liga outfit for large parts of their friendly at the Rosaleda stadium, but the hosts nicked it with a second half header from Brazilian skipper Weligton after slack defending from the Merseysiders.
Moyes had wanted his side to be tested ahead of their challenging Premier League opener against Manchester United on August 20, and he got his wish as the hosts played some slick passing football.
Malaga created a string of opportunities through midfielder Joaquin, and had the exciting trickery of young midfielder Isco to test Tim Howard.
But Everton had their own flashes of promise, with £4.5m summer capture Steven Pienaar showing why Moyes was so keen to bring him back to Goodison permanently by linking up smartly with England defender Leighton Baines.
Striker Nikica Jelavic even thought he had taken an earlier lead after clever work by Moyes’ other recruit Steven Naismith, but the Croatian had strayed just off-side.
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