Everton avoided an embarrassing pre-season defeat in their first warm-up game as they fought back from 3-1 down to eventually draw against Sligo Rovers.
Last season’s Premier League survivalists had previously fallen two goals behind before clawing back a single strike to temporarily reduce the deficit.
Sean Dyche’s side have been based in Ireland recently in preparation for the new Premier League season and were in action for their opening warm-up match on Friday.
Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti was the late hero at the near-4000 capacity stadium as his two goals at the death rescued the Toffees from a shock pre-season defeat.
However, an embarrassing moment for the visitors couldn’t be avoided as the Everton crest appeared to fall off the new home strip that was only recently revealed by new kit manufacturer Castore.
Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti was the late hero as he scored twice in the 3-3 draw
Everton initially went 2-0 down before temporarily reducing the deficit only to then trail 3-1
Images circling on social media show the Everton badge having fallen off some of the shirts during the match, with the British kit manufacturer only into the early months of a first deal with the club.
Castore and Everton announced a new ‘club record’ multi-year deal in June that is believed to be almost three times what their previous £9m-per-year agreement with Hummel was.
Ridiculing the kit online, one fan account replied to an image of the mishap stating: ‘Castore are the worst brand I have ever seen for football shirts…yet clubs still run with them.’
Despite the apparent kit mishap, the afternoon was also a special occasion for Everton captain Seamus Coleman who returned to his boyhood club.
Coleman – who many believe is entering his final season – previously moved to Goodison Park in 2009 after spending three years at Sligo where he made 61 appearances.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche was animated as his side struggled in their first pre-season match
The afternoon was also a special occasion for Everton captain Seamus Coleman who returned to his boyhood club
There was however concern for one of Coleman’s defensive partners as James Tarkowski suffered a minor injury that will now need to be monitored by Everton in the coming days.
Speaking after the match, Everton boss Dyche revealed Tarkowski would now require further assessment but did provide a positive update on other injured players.
‘Got a minor niggle. Got to be careful. We’ve got a few niggles and we’ve got to monitor their workloads,’ said Dyhe.
‘We’re hopeful with Tarky. Jarrad (Branthwaite), Patto (Nathan Patterson) and Dele (Alli) are also making progress.’
