Match Summary
From Ananova: David Moyes endured a disappointing return to Deepdale as Everton lost 1-0 to Preston.
The former North End boss named a strong side, although Wayne Rooney was absent with an ankle injury, leaving Tomasz Radzinski and Kevin Campbell to lead the attack.
Everton almost got off to a flyer inside the opening seconds but Radzinski dragged his shot wide.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Jonathan Gould was kept busy, though, and frustrated the Canada international when he did hit the target and then did well to turn Steve Watson's header around the post.
Brian O'Neil and Paul McKenna both were just off target with their efforts for the home side.
The Lilywhites, who take on West Ham in next weekend's season opener, upped their game after the break.
They took the lead on 48 minutes when Richard Cresswell headed in a corner at the far post after Jamaica international Ricardo Fuller had again caused problems with his mazy runs.
Substitute Scot Gemmill missed a decent chance for Everton when set up by Campbell.
Chris Lucketti and substitute Pawel Abbott both went close for the home side, who comfortably played out the remainder of the match for a morale-boosting win.
Report
I wonder just how far today's line up is from the starting eleven two weeks from today... We still have no new faces; I don't think we will get any before the trip to Highbury and an Arsenal side who will be a little bit tougher than the side we faced this afternoon.
25 seconds: A mistake from the defender let the ball run though to Radzinski, he ran on, inside the area shot across the front of goal, it just slipped past the far post.
5' Just outside the six-yard box, Campbell & Radzinski with a great one two, Radzinski's shot well saved, the ball cleared only as far as Li Tie, he drove a shot in from 20 yards, again the keeper the Preston saviour.
19' A half-chance from Gravesen, took the ball into the box, tried to pass the ball to Campbell, he should have gone for goal himself, the Preston defenders just closed him down.
29' Another save from the Preston keeper, he did well to get a hand on the shot of Campbell, who let fly from the edge of the D. The ball only fell to the path of Radzinski, he put the ball back into the box, cleared only as far as Li Tie, his shot only just over the bar.
36' Steve Watson just 1 yard out heads the ball at the bottom left hand corner; somehow the keeper gets down with one hand to put it behind for a corner.
45' Radzinski put though from midfield, did well took the ball in to the edge of the area on the right hand side shot, well he lifted the ball over the keeper, and just over the bar.
Half time: Preston NE 0 - 0 Everton
47' Preston's first real attack of the game, Fuller ran at the middle a full 25/30 yards, looked up and let fly from 25 yards out, Simonsen a full stretch pushed the ball out for a corner.
48' 0-1 Cresswell From the resulting corner, deep to the back post, the ball fell at the feet of Cresswell, he just bumbled the ball over the line.
57' On Gemmill, Pembridge, Linderoth; off Li Tie, Naysmith, Watson
60' Another chance goes begging, Campbell with a good run into the 6-yard area, the keeper dives at his feet, the ball bobbles out, Campbell knocks the ball back in to the path of Pembridge, he in turn just could not control the ball to have a shot.
75' On Chadwick & Hibbert; off Campbell & Pistone.
81' On Osman; off Gravesen.
Full time: Preston 1 - 0 Everton
I think its time for Bill to get the cheque book out.
Steve Milne
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