Philadelphia Union 1-0 Everton

As in the defeat to Manchester United back in April, a late Hernandez goal proved the difference between Everton and their opponents last night. This time it was Philadelphia Union's Christian Hernandez who struck with three minutes to go to hand the Union victory.

In a keenly-contested and largely even match, both sides played some nice football in extremely hot and humid conditions. Everton just about edged the first half with chances coming primarily from set-plays. Magaye Gueye again impressed, with Arteta influential in midfeld.

It was goalless at the break and wholesale changes did nothing to help the pace or rhythm of the game. The heat was clearly affecting the Everton players, whose shirts had turned a darker shade of blue due to the sweat. Philadelphia, who are in mid-season fitness, really started to look threatening in the last half hour as Everton dwindled.

They did manage to get the win courtesy of some calamitous defending three minutes from time. After Jan Mucha had saved well, the ball was not properly cleared and Hernandez capitalised on the mistakes to put the Union ahead. Nonetheless, there were plenty of positives, for example the performances of Apostolos Vellios and the returning Ross Barkley.

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With Tim Howard 'rested' after his Gold Cup exploits, Jan Mucha donned the gloves (and the camouflaged kit) in the Everton goal. The back four was Leighton 'Beatle' Baines, John Heitinga, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman.

In the centre of midfield was Mikel Arteta alongside the slightly less cultured Phil Neville, with Magaye Gueye and Diniyar (or, according to the Philadelphia pitch announcer, Dimitar) Bilyaletdinov operating the flanks. Tim Cahill supported Jermaine Beckford up front.

Everton controlled possession for the opening 20 minutes, although the best chances fell to the noggins of the Union's Danny Mwanga and Carlos Valdes. Mikel Arteta went close with a free kick that hit the side netting, before the Spaniard sumptuously released Jermaine Beckford who controlled the ball well but skewed his effort off target.

It was a slow-paced yet even fixture, which probably had a lot to do with the temperatures that, even late at night, were approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It was so hot that, had he been playing, even Tony Hibbert may have opted for a short-sleeved shirt.

Both sides made changes at the break. You probably don't care about Philadelphia's, so I won't bother telling you. Everton replaced Arteta, Beckford and Gueye with Jack Rodwell, Apostolos Vellios and Sylvain Distin. Phil Neville moved to right back, Seamus Coleman switched to right midfield and Johnny Heitinga also moved into midfield.

Greek striker Vellios had a large impact on the game and used his physical presence well. He struck an ambitious effort from almost 40 yards, as well as winning his fair share of headers and loose balls. John Heitinga tried to replicate his goal v Birmingham but his effort sailed wide, and Seamus Coleman showed exactly why fans call him the Irish Messi as he took on the whole Union defence before seeing his curling shot blocked.

Union did look slightly more dangerous as Everton started to wilt, with Roger Torres running the show in the middle of midfield. Everton introduced Ross Barkley and Conor McAleny in place of Bilyaletdinov and Cahill.

It was especially nice to see Barkley play after the horrendous injury he has suffered. He showed glimpses of his talent, with a nice turn and shot that was well saved, but also his inexperience in giving the ball away a couple of times.

With just three minutes remaining Union took the lead. Mucha saved well but the ball was not properly cleared by Rodwell, and then Distin. The game of pinball ended with Hernandez, who struck low into the net to win the game for the Union.

There was still time for John Heitinga to get himself sent off, but it was a ridiculous decision. Heitinga collided innocuously with a Union midfielder and the card-happy ref reached straight for his back pocket. Johnny 5, quite rightly, stormed angrily off the pitch. Good luck to whoever calmed him down.

The game ended 1-0 to the Union, but as we all know the results in pre-season don't particularly matter. Plenty of positives including the performance of Vellios and the return of Barkley. And, as mentioned hundreds of times in commentary, it was a 'good workout'.

StickyToffee Player Ratings: Mucha 7, Baines 7, Jagielka 6, Heitinga 7, Coleman 6, Bilyaletdinov 6, Arteta 8, Neville 6, Gueye 7, Cahill 5, Beckford 5.

Subs: Rodwell 6, Distin 5, Vellios 7, Barkley 7, McAleny 5.