Everton suffer loss in Vienna

Everton suffer loss in Vienna

Published Jul. 15, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

New Everton manager Roberto Martinez suffered a defeat in his first match in charge as the Toffees lost their friendly against Austria Vienna 2-1.

The Austrian champions, who open their title defence next weekend, went ahead in the 14th minute when Marko Stankovic took advantage of a poor pass from Leon Osman and rounded debutant Everton goalkeeper Joel before finding the net.

Stankovic doubled his tally when he wrong-footed Joel from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Shane Duffy was penalised for handball.

Everton quickly pulled a goal back through Greek striker Apostolos Vellios, who was left unmarked to head home a pinpoint cross from Leighton Baines.

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Both managers made a host of changes at the interval, but Everton were unable to find an equaliser in the second half with Kevin Mirallas going closest when he was foiled by a timely intervention by substitute goalkeeper Ivan Kardum.

Despite the result, Martinez was happy with his week's work in Austria.

He told the club's official website: "The game was more of a physical exercise than anything else. It's been a very successful week.

"We've accumulated a lot of work and that's been exactly what we needed and it's given us a very good platform. Today was just to get a run out and we gave everyone 45 minutes more or less.

"We were playing against a side who are one week away from the start of their season and that's what we wanted - we wanted to push ourselves to the maximum from a physical point of view, and I thought we responded really well."

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