Photo: Pete from Liverpool, UK / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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Everton were held to a goalless draw by Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday, completing their second pre-season match of the 2026/27 summer.
Jarrad Branthwaite returned to the starting lineup for the first time since April, when a long-term injury ended his season. He featured in a reshaped back five alongside James Tarkowski, Jake O'Brien, Adam Aznou and Merlin Röhl.
Everton came close to breaking the deadlock before half-time when Thierno Barry finished from close range after being picked out by Röhl's low cross into the box. The goal was disallowed for offside.
Five substitutions at the interval brought on Tom King, Michael Keane, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Vitalii Mykolenko and Tyrique George. Striker Beto then missed a second-half chance, striking wide after being released by Mykolenko's chipped pass behind the Bolton defence.
Five Under-21 players were handed minutes in the closing stages — Harvey Foster, who scored last week in Dundee, Braiden Graham, Malik Olayiwola, George Finney and Eli Campbell all featured. Bolton's defence held firm to secure the draw.
Everton's next pre-season fixture is on Tuesday at 7.45pm BST, away to Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.