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Home side edge first pre-season game

Austria Vienna 2 - 1 Everton

The first public game of the new era under Roberto Martinez, and plenty who did not play tonight: new signings Antolin Alcaraz, Arouna Kone & Gerard Deulofeu are definitely absent. As are Tim Howard, John Heitinga, Seamus Coleman, Nikica Jelavic, Ross Barkley, Luke Garbutt and John Stones, who have all been given extra time off following summer international commitments.

Everton's line-up included only Joel Robles of the new signings as they lined-up in an old-school formation, 4-5-1, with Vellios ploughing the lone furrow up front. Most players appeared to be wearing their regular numbers from last season, with the new squad numbers set to be announced at 10 am tomorrow. They made a bright start, pushing the home side back for a free-kick whipped in by Baines that came off Magaye Gueye's shoulder, then a corner.

The passing was crisp and Everton looked to move the ball around well in the warm evening sunshine. But some sloppy play at the back saw Osman slip and give up an easy goal to Stankovoic who rounded Joel and slotted home. Poor goal to give away...

Another poor pass let Okotie run in one-on-one with Joel but the new keeper stood strong an stopped what would have been an embarrassing second goal. Spiridonovic then fired fractionally wide as the Austrian side started to play a little. Some nervy moments from Tyias Browning, who was wearing Number 18 and playing right back.

Pienaar won a free kick that should threatened and his resulting set-piece shot static shot got over the wall but was well off target. A free-kick for Vienna at the other end came to nothing but Shane Duffy had his hands full dealing with Okotie.

A nice move saw Magaye Gueye feed Baines, the ball coming back to Pienaar who clipped it to the far post where Naismith controlled it superbly and lashed in a great shot that was well saved by Lidner in the Vienna goal.

Duffy needlessly handballed as he lost his man, and Stankovic slotted home from the penalty spot, Robles going the wrong way.

Everton responded well, Baines calmly pickling out Vellios after good work by Gibson, who glanced it home at the near post. A very nicely worked goal.

Naismith should have had a penalty when caught on the ankle but the ref played a bit of a homer and ignored the Everton forward, who needed some treatment.

Browning, Jagielka, Baines, Naismith, Osman, Pienaar, Gueye and Vellios were all replaced at the break, Grant (#16) coming on at half-time along with Fellaini, Mirallas, Oviedo, Kennedy (#26), Anichebe, Distin & Hibbert.

A deflection caught Joel cold but fortunately bounced back off the bar. Joel was called upon again as the last man as Distin slipped, allowing Okotie to run free and fire at the big man in the Everton goal. The home side then rang the changes on the hour, with seven of their side being replaced.

The game went a bit flat after that, and two more changes were made by Everton: McAleny (#23) and Junior (#30) coming on for Grant and Gibson.

Mirallas did well to get into the area off a nice give and go with Anichebe but then seemed to freeze rather than shooting at first sight, and in the end allowed the keeper to take it off his feet. Very poor.

Junior was show a yellow card for a rather unnecessary late foul. Austria were looking for a third but Distin was well placed to clear off the line as the home side pushed the Blues back. Indeed all 11 were back for a corner which came to McAleny, who could only hoof it forward to nobody.

Blues' final passing was just far too casual when they did have possession, which halted their forward progress again and again in the second half.

The game came to an end with most of the players getting a good run out, but still looking a little rusty and lacking in sharpness — just as you would expect for the first game of the pre-season.

Austria Vienna: Lindner (46' Kardum), Okotie (60' Vrsic), Ortlechner (46' Roguli), Ramsebner (60' Dilaver), Murg (60' Rotpuller), Stankovic (60' Gorgon), Leovac (60' Mader), Spiridonovic (60' Jun), Holland (41' Wimmer), Royer (60' Hosiner), Koch.
Subs not Used: P Grunwald, A Grunwald, Suttner

Everton: Joel Robles: Browning (46' Hibbert), Jagielka (46' Distin), Duffy, Baines (46' Oviedo); Naismith (46' Mirallas), Pienaar (46' Kennedy), Osman (46' Grant (67' McAleny)), Gibson (67' Junior), Gueye (46' Fellaini) ; Vellios (46' Anichebe).
Subs not Used: Springthorpe.

Attendance: 7,125

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