Everton have fallen to their first defeat of pre-season in the opening game of their tour of Germany, losing 2-1 to Dynamo Dresden this evening.
Goals from Niklas Hauptmann and Pascal Testroet either side of a Gerard Deulofeu opener were enough for the German second-tier side as Ronald Koeman tasted defeat as Everton boss for the first time.
It could have been very different had Deulofeu not been denied by the woodwork after just 10 minutes, with the winger dribbling into the box but hitting the upright from a tight angle.
Dresden were ahead just four minutes later when Hauptmann latched on to a low cross into the box, sliding in to convert from close range.
Everton were soon back on the attack, though, and it took a smart stop from Patrick Wiegers to deny Deulofeu again before John Stones, who has been heavily linked with a world-record switch to Manchester City, nodded an effort narrowly over the crossbar.
It was Deulofeu who continued to look the most likely for the visitors, though, and sure enough the Spaniard levelled things up in style five minutes before half time when his curling free kick hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the line.
Aaron Lennon looked to get in on the act 10 minutes into the second half when he cut inside and went for goal, but his low drive deflected just past the post.
Ross Barkley then fired narrowly over just before the hour mark as Everton continued to control the second half, with Kevin Mirallas and Deulofeu also coming close in quick succession shortly afterwards.
However, it was the hosts who got the game's third goal, which proved to be the winner, when Testroet let fly from 25 yards, sending his shot in off the post to put Dresden back in front against the run of play.
Deulofeu, who has three goals to his name already in pre-season, continued to look for a way through as the second half wore on, and he came close again with 10 minutes remaining when he curled an effort just off target.
There was still time for Deulofeu to threaten one more time as he was denied by Wiegers from close range in the 89th minute, but Dresden, who were only promoted from the third tier last season, held on for the victory.
Barney Corkhill
