Dynamo Dresden 2-1 Everton – Toffees slip to disappointing defeat via Royal Blue Mersey
Spectacular Deulofeu goal not enough in Germany
Everton slipped to their first defeat of pre-season with German side Dynamo Dresden coming away with a 2-1 victory.
Everton fell behind early on through Niklas Hauptmann but levelled before the break thanks to a spectacular free-kick by Gerard Deulofeu.
The Toffees had several chances to move into the lead but were punished for their profligacy when Pascal Testroet blasted home the winner from long-range.
Ronald Koeman fielded a strong team for Everton’s third pre-season game of the summer, with starts for John Stones, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas.
The was also another start in central midfield for 18-year-old Tom Davies, an academy graduate who may well be playing himself into the first team this season.
Dresden took the lead on 16 minutes when a pass from central midfield was allowed to travel right through the heart of the Everton defence towards Erich Berko and his low cross was poked home by Hauptmann.
Deulofeu was Everton’s shining light once more, hitting the post early on before drawing a fine save from Patrick Wiegers.
Everton did eventually equalise before half-time in spectacular fashion. Deulofeu firing in a free-kick that fizzed over the wall before dipping in off the crossbar.
It was the Spaniard’s third goal in as many pre-season games since being pushed forward into a central striking role by Ronald Koeman.
Deulofeu had a chance to put Everton front soon after the break but he fired wide from a tight angle inside the area.
Midway through the second half Dresden re-took the lead out of nothing, Testroet’s drilling home a long-range effort went in off the post beyond a stranded Maarten Stekelenberg.
Everton struggled to create many openings after that, the lively Deulofeu failing to be Wiegers when played in by Mirallas.
Everton don’t have long to dwell on this defeat, they face Spanish side Real Betis tomorrow lunchtime.
A visibly frustrated Koeman will no doubt be looking for improvement after a result that exposed Everton’s old failings.
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