THE IRISH might be renowned for their hospitality. But the warmest welcome last night was provided by the small, rain-soaked group of travelling Everton fans at the sight of Mikel Arteta wearing a royal Blue shirt once again.
The Spaniard’s return to action was just the fillip the Toffees needed after a so-so pre-season, which had been under a cloud of concern since he limped out of action in Philadelphia.
Despite only drawing with Bohemians in a hastily arranged final friendly in Dublin, David Moyes might now wonder if his glass of Guinness is suddenly half full.
Understandably frustrated when their Premier League opener against Spurs at White Hart Lane was postponed last week, perhaps Everton can see a few positives on the horizon.
For a team bewilderingly disposed toward starting the season slowly, the potential banana skin of a tricky trip to North London is now replaced with the comfort of home against top flight newcomers QPR, freshly taken over and freshly thrashed by Bolton.
Add the emergence of Arteta to spark the creative juices once again, and a run of following games against Blackburn, Aston Villa and Wigan, and maybe Everton’s prospects of breaking with tradition – and getting off the marks with some vigour – suddenly seem a bit brighter.
Moyes won’t be allowing himself to relax too much, while Arteta looked neat and tidy as he clocked 67 minutes of desperately needed match fitness, his side still lacked much of a goal threat.
But for those searching for comfort ahead of the new campaign there were bright performances from Victor Anichebe, and Jack Rodwell.
With heavy rain lending a potentially dangerous aspect to proceedings thanks to a greasy surface, Moyes chose not to risk Louis Saha, Phil Jagielka, Tim Cahill or Leighton Baines.
Skipper Phil Neville, and ever-present Sylvain Distin started on the bench along with Leon Osman.
The Blues opening chance came after just three minutes, Victor Anichebe stabbing his shot wide from a corner. But it wasn’t long before they were ahead, when Ross Barkley was given plenty of time to float a cross over the static opposition defence, and Maroaune Fellaini beat the offside trap to send a header goalbound which Jermaine Beckford prodded home for good measure.
Perhaps predictably, Moyes’ men saw most of the possession and worked the ball neatly on a wet, zippy surface.
But they had a scare when Bohemians, who are currently fifth in the League of Ireland, almost levelled as Keith Buckley’s shot cannoned off Jack Rodwell’s back and almost crept into the top of Jan Mucha’s goal.
If this was a final chance for Ross Barkley to bid for a Premier League debut against QPR he seized it with both hands. Once again, the 17-year-old was bright, industrious and clever with the ball – leaving David Moyes with plenty to ponder ahead of selecting his starting midfield on Saturday.
Just before half time the Toffees should have doubled their lead, when Beckford skewed a simple headed chance wide from Tony Hibbert’s cross.
The second half saw a clutch of changes for the Blues, but the patter of play was the same – Everton dominating with only the occasional foray forward in response from their opponents.
Young left-back Luke Garbutt deserves credit for a promising first appearance this pre season, and Jose Baxter also got time to remind everyone he is still pushing for an opportunity in the coming campaign, as did Shane Duffy who acquitted himself well.
With the pace of the game dwindling, Victor Anichebe twisted and turned in the box, expertly making himself space to shoot and was only inches wide, then Arteta almost teed Jack Rodwell up with a smart cut-back following another tricky dart into the area.
Next Leon Osman was denied after jinking his way into the box by Boh’s keeper Craig Sexton.
It was to be the last of any chances for the Blues to conclude their pre-season with a victory – but the result here was unimportant.
Arranged to provide his men with a chance to keep their limbs loose and minds sharp in the absence of a game on Saturday, Moyes will be satisfied that this fitted the bill.
They might have been missing from Match of the Day on Saturday, that’s if Evertonians well used to their usual after-thought billing noticed, but that could yet be a good thing.
When the real action starts at Goodison, the Blues boss will hope this conspicuous rainy night in Dublin provides a chance to finally unearth that lesser-spotted strong start.
