Arteta goal cheers Everton following stadium problems

Mikel Arteta’s late spotkick kept defeat at bay for Everton in their 1-1 friendly draw at home to PSV Eindhoven on Saturday to bring some on-pitch cheer following stadium problems.

It was a workmanlike performance from the Toffees against the Dutch champions during a spell when proposals for a new stadium have been jeopardised following government intervention.

Nordin Amrabat gave PSV a deserved first-half lead with a fine solo goal but with just a few minutes left, Joseph Yobo was brought down in the area and Arteta drilled the spot-kick past Andreas Isaksson.

But it will take more than this late reprieve to boost confidence and belief and boss David Moyes knows he must move in the transfer market, and quickly.

Everton gave youngsters Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling another run-out, and with Moyes’ squad being so thin he may well have to use his aspiring teenage stars when the Premier League campaign gets under way next weekend.

But having sold Andrew Johnson, and with half-a-dozen departures from the ranks from last term, Moyes knows he has to replenish his squad.

The likeliest new face is Newcastle’s Alan Smith, a deal could be completed next week. But the need for more acquisitions was obvious.