Duncan Ferguson's testimonial match between Everton and Villarreal took place at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Both teams had chances in an open first period, but a close-range finish from Gerard Moreno saw Villarreal lead at the break.
The Spanish side doubled their lead just past the hour when Nahuel Leiva converted from inside the box.
Ferguson's big moment came in the 84th minute, when he replaced Steven Naismith.
The Scot's involvement boosted Everton, who managed to pull one back late on through Tyias Browning, but it was too little too late as Villarreal claimed the victory.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from Goodison Park as Everton welcome Villarreal for Duncan Ferguson's testimonial. It will be a special afternoon for the Scot, who is now a member of the coaching staff with the Toffees. Can Ferguson find the net one more time for Everton?
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS:
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Cleverley; Osman, Kone, Mirallas
VILLARREAL: Areola; Mario, Pantic, Ruiz, Costa; Bruno, Pina; Nahuel, Castillejo, Baptistao; Moreno
So there we have it. Big Duncan is on the bench for Everton this afternoon, alongside a certain Wayne Rooney, who will play a part at some point. Romelu Lukaku is out injured for the Toffees, but it an otherwise strong XI, with Kevin Mirallas, James McCarthy and Gareth Barry all included. Roberto Martinez has also selected arguably his first-choice back five for the new season - if they can keep John Stones!
As for Villarreal, their XI is a mixture of youth and experience. Mario Gaspar, Jaume Costa, Tomas Pina and Bruno are the experienced heads in the lineup this afternoon, while the youth is provided by the likes of Nahuel Leiva, Gerard Moreno and Samu Castillejo. Alphonse Areola also gets a chance in goal.
Ferguson represented Everton on two separate occasions between 1994 and 2006, and found the back of the net 72 times in 273 appearances for the Toffees. Following his retirement, the Scot returned to Everton as a youth-team coach, before being promoted to first-team coach in February 2014. The former striker is very much part of the history of this club. Can you imagine if he managed to score once again?
So why Villarreal? Well, Ferguson will have a chance to gain some revenge here. Back in 2004, Everton faced Villarreal in a Champions League qualifier, when Ferguson appeared to score a legitimate headed goal, only for referee Pierluigi Collina to rule it out. Had the goal stood, the match would have entered extra-time, but Villarreal advanced and Ferguson retired at the end of the same season. Revenge!
Of course, this is a special game for Ferguson, but it is also very important for Everton, who are building towards the start of the Premier League season on August 8, against Watford. Pre-season has been largely a success for the Toffees, with strong wins over Swindon Town, Stoke City, Hearts and Dundee. They were beaten by fellow Premier League side Arsenal in the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy, though.
An Everton XI were also in action yesterday, but it was a disappointing afternoon as Martinez's side suffered a 2-0 defeat at Championship side Leeds United. Ross Barkley was among the Evertonians.
As for Villarreal, they still have three more friendlies to play before the start of their La Liga season on August 23, when they face Real Betis. The Yellow Submarine have won two and drawn two of their four pre-season matches thus far, but they were held to a 1-1 draw at Derby County on Wednesday. Marcelino has been busy in the transfer market and will be hoping for another European push in the new campaign.
KICK OFF! Here we go then. The Everton supporters have turned out in their numbers this afternoon and there is a wonderful atmosphere inside this great stadium. The hosts start the action here.
As expected, it has been a fairly laboured start to proceedings, with both teams attempting to gain a foot-hold with a period of possession. Villarreal are a lovely passing team and will look to dominate the ball, much like Everton. We expect to see big Duncan Ferguson for a couple of cameos this afternoon.
Half-chance for Villarreal as Baptistao finds space in a wide area before striking towards the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of Howard's post. Everton are down the other end with Kone moments later, but Victor Ruiz wins the aerial battle. Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment.
It is Villarreal that are doing the pressing at the moment, with Costa and Mario almost playing as wide midfielders from the back. Baines has the chance to break down the Everton left, but the Spanish outfit are nice and tight and manage to force the home side back. No real opportunities thus far at Goodison.
Villarreal are pressing high up the field at the moment, which is making it difficult for Everton to break through the lines. Not too much attacking-wise for the home supporters to get excited about thus far.
Baines attempts to slide a pass into Kone, but the Ivorian was a little on his heels and Ruiz was on hand to slide the pass back to his own goalkeeper. Osman finds a central area moments later before switching the ball to Coleman, but the right-back's tough is a little poor and the latest attack breaks down.
This man will be involved at some point for Everton today. Might receive a heated welcome!
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening 13 minutes, with only Villarreal, through Baptistao, coming close to opening the scoring. Both goalkeepers have been untroubled thus far.
Villarreal continue to threaten as Moreno combines with Baptistao before delivering a low cross, but Stones is on hand to clear, before Baines has the chance to break. Cleverley carries possession into the Villarreal half, but Bruno brings the midfielder to the ground. Still goalless with 15 minutes played.
Half-chance for Everton as Baines works the ball into Osman, who delivers a super cross towards Kone, but the striker just cannot make contact and Costa clears behind. Much better from the home team.
Baines has been Everton's best player by some distance in this game and the left-back again drives through the Villarreal midfield before sliding a pass towards Kone, but Ruiz is on hand to clear. The pressure is kept on the away side's back four, however, as the hosts force yet another corner kick.
CHANCE! The first chance of any note falls to Everton as Osman meets a super corner from the left, but the midfielder's effort is wide of the post. Costa was just caught under the ball there.
CHANCE! Another chance for Everton as Mirallas finds space in a wide area before delivering a super low cross towards Kone, but Ruiz just manages to slice behind for a corner. Good pressure!
Villarreal are finding it difficult to get out of their own half at the moment as the pressure continues to arrive from Everton, but the defending from the visitors has been very compact and strong thus far.
Baines remains Everton's biggest threat as he delivers another super cross towards Mirallas, but the Villarreal stopper just manages to palm behind. Coleman picks up the pieces from the resulting corner and feeds Mirallas, but the Belgian fires wide. Rooney, meanwhile, is warming up on the sidelines.
Everton are very much in control of this game at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but the score is still level, with Kone guilty of some poor finishing. Mirallas and Baines have been Everton's best two players thus far and the former again has a shot blocked from close range.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at Goodison Park and Villarreal have just managed to quell the spell of pressure with a period of possession. The visitors have been neat and tidy.
Coleman looks to have a slight problem for Everton as he holds the back of his ankle, but the Scot does not receive any treatment and play continues. Still no changes from either manager at this stage.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Villarreal (Moreno)
Villarreal take the lead in the 38th minute as Moreno pokes home from close range after Baptistao had met an inswinging corner from Castillejo. It was a very well-worked corner from the visitors.
EVERTON SUB: Everton make their first change of the match as Naismith replaces Mirallas.
Everton continue to to work from the back, with Baines and Coleman both prepared to bring the ball forward, but Villarreal must be credited for their defensive work thus far. They have been very solid.
I suspect that both managers will be looking to make changes at the interval - Ferguson possibly? Rooney will also get a run-out at some point, but preparation for the new campaign is most important.
Another half-chance for Villarreal as a swift counter leads to Castillejo trying his luck on goal, but the attacker's effort is just over the crossbar. Another threatening moment for the visitors here.
HALF-TIME: Everton 0-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Villarreal leading 1-0 at Goodison Park. Everton have had more of the opportunities, but have been a little wasteful in front of goal thus far. The first and only goal came from Moreno, who fired home from close range after a Baptistao flick.
BIG DUNC? Is it time for big Duncan Ferguson to change this game for Everton? Giving the Scot minutes is obviously important, but Martinez's main focus is to prepare for the new season. Unless Ferguson has been signed up for the new campaign? Kone has really struggled you know...
BENCH WATCH! As mentioned, Ferguson is on the Everton bench this afternoon alongside Rooney. However, the likes of Barkley, Browning, Galloway and Oviedo will also be hoping for minutes. There has already been one change for the Toffees, with Naismith replacing Mirallas. As for Villarreal, head coach Marcelino has the likes of Jokic, Trigueros, Espinosa, Bailly and Barbosa in reserve here.
Here we go then. Both sets of players rejoin us on the field for the second period of action. Villarreal are going to be making a couple of changes, but it looks to be the same Everton XI. Bare with me...
VILLARREAL SUB: Bailly has replaced Pantic for the visitors.
EVERTON SUB: Barkley has replaced Kone for Everton.
Villarreal have taken control of the possession in the early stages of the half, with Bailly enjoying plenty of touches from a defensive area. Just a reminder that we will definitely see Ferguson at some point, while Rooney will also be given a run-out. Just when that moment occurs is up to Roberto Martinez!
VILLARREAL SUB: Barbosa has also replaced Areola between the sticks for Villarreal.
Slightly untidy period of the match at the moment, with both teams guilty of losing possession in forward positions. Moreno again finds space outside the Everton box, but Stones is across to clear.
Everton are dropping off Villarreal at the moment, which is allowing Bailly to drive forward from the back and create an extra player in the middle of the park. It is the visitors in control of matters at the moment.
EVERTON SUB: McCarthy is replaced by McAleny for the hosts.
Not an awful lot for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as another decent move breaks down when Barkley cannot find Naismith. Little under 35 minutes of football remaining here.
Villarreal continue to threaten as Mario finds space in a wide area before delivering towards Moreno, but Stones is on hand to clear at the far post. Everton attempt to break, but Ruiz clatters into Naismith.
Jagielka looks to have a problem for Everton after taking a tumble and it will be interesting to see whether the centre-back completes this match. Still no sign of Ferguson as we pass the hour mark here.
GOAL! Everton 0-2 Villarreal (Nahuel)
Villarreal score their second of the match as Nahuel proves too strong for Coleman before lifting his effort over the onrushing Howard. It was a super finish from the youngster, who is a special talent.
Villarreal are preparing to make a whole host of changes after scoring a second...
VILLARREAL SUBS: Trigueros, Alejo, Pereira and Espinosa replace Pina, Costa, Leo and Bruno.
CHANCE! Moreno has the chance to score a third for Villarreal as the Spanish side open up Everton once again, but the striker's low effort is saved by Howard. Another good move there!
Still no sign of Ferguson as we enter the final 20 minutes of football at Goodison Park. In truth, Villarreal are in control of proceedings at the moment, with all four new subs seeing plenty of the ball here.
CHANCE! Everton come close to halving the deficit as Naismith curls one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving just wide of the post. Much better from the home side there!
Everton again counter as Barkley drives through the midfield before attempting to find Naismith, but the Scot cannot collect and Villarreal clear the danger. More changes are on their way for Everton...
... EVERTON SUB: Browning replaces Stones for the hosts.
EVERTON SUB: Rooney, yes Rooney replaces Cleverley for Everton.
Rooney is on for Everton...
POST! Everton come close to halving the deficit as Jagielka meets a corner at the far post, but his header hits the post and Villarreal manage to clear the danger. The visitors break straight down the other end, but Pereira picks the wrong pass and Everton have a goal kick. End-to-end football!
Villarreal remain a threat on the counter attack here, with Trigueros again coming close with an effort, but Howard manages to make the save. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at Goodison.
Rooney has been very bright since entering the field, with the England captain caught just offside before he fires over the crossbar from outside the box. It is very strange seeing him back in a blue shirt!
VILLARREAL SUBS: Moreno and Ruiz are off for Jokic and Iniguez.
Still no sign of Ferguson as we approach the final five minutes of action, but the Scot's time will come. Villarreal remain the team on the front foot as they continue to threaten in forward areas here.
Rooney is just everywhere for Everton at the moment - winning corners, taking corners, making tackles. The home supporters appreciate the effort as well and chant the England captain's name!
FERGUSON IS GETTING READY!
EVERTON SUB: The big man is on! Ferguson replaces Naismith!
Ferguson and Rooney will lead the line for Everton in the final five minutes.
Ferguson is involved in the build-up for Everton as Barkley breaks before feeding McAleny, but Bailly is across to make the challenge. Baines delivers the corner towards Osman, but Villarreal just manage to scramble clear. The home supporters are in wonderful voice at the moment!
GOAL! Everton 1-2 Villarreal (Browning)
Villarreal cannot deal with the second corner and Browning rises above everyone inside the box before powering his header into the back of the net. Browning even seemed to jump above Ferguson there!
Rooney and Ferguson have completely changed the atmosphere inside the stadium.
CHANCE! Ferguson comes close to meeting a super corner from Baines, but the Scot just cannot make contact and Villarreal have a goal kick. Almost the perfect moment for the big striker there!
Just the one additional minute to be added here.
Villarreal are keeping hold of the ball as we enter the final seconds of action here.
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-2 Villarreal
So there we have it. Ferguson and Rooney embrace at the final whistle as the Scot's cameo appearance comes to a close. Everton have lost the game 2-1, but the result was never that important here.
There is no question that Ferguson's introduction boosted Everton late on, while Rooney also showed an excellent attitude to contribute in the final minutes. Defeat for Everton, but joy for Ferguson.
So there we have it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Ferguson's family have joined him on the field and it is a wonderful moment for the legend of this club. Until next time!
Ferguson thanks his family, the supporters and Everton football club, as well as calling his appearance "an unbelievable experience". The Scot also has some kind words for Rooney. The speech is a little jumbled at the moment, but be sure to check back on Sports Mole for the full quotes later!
