Club friendlies wrap: Everton start US tour with loss

A host of English Premier League teams were in action in pre-season friendlies on Wednesday with Everton losing in the USA.

Everton began their US tour with a loss after going down 1-0 against the Philadelphia Union.

David Moyes’ side were on top for a majority of the 90 minutes but could not break the deadlock, only for Union teenager Christian Hernandez to steal a winner in the 87th minute.

The warm weather in Philadelphia suited the home side and Danny Mwanga and Carlos Valdes both should have done better with their early chances.

Mikel Arteta had Everton’s first real chance when he put a free kick into the side netting, before setting up Jermaine Beckford with a lofted pass which the striker volleyed wide.

Moyes made three changes at half-time and one of the inclusions, Apostolos Vellios, went close with a long-range effort just after the break.

But just as it looked like the match would finish scoreless, Hernandez pounced on a loose ball in the box to slam home the winner with three minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Stoke City thrashed Newcastle Town 6-0, Queens Park Rangers beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Heidar Helguson, while Sunderland was beaten 3-1 by Bundesliga outfit Hannover.

From the Championship, Fred Sears scored as West Ham beat FC Copenhagen 1-0, Leicester drew 0-0 with Turkish side Bursaspor and Cardiff City were beaten 1-0 at home by Scottish powerhouse Celtic.

Jardel scored with two minutes remaining as Portuguese outfit Benfica snatched a last minute 1-0 victory against Ligue 1 side Toulouse, while Serie A sides Inter Milan, Lazio and Udinese all recorded victories.