Your Everton evening headlines for Wednesday, December 21.
What happened as Everton hosted Aston Villa in behind closed doors friendly
Everton continued their preparations ahead of a return to Premier League football with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in a behind-closed-doors training match at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Anthony Gordon and Neal Maupay struck early to give the Toffees a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes, which they would hold on to thanks to a string of saves from Jordan Pickford. The 28-year-old returned to domestic action following his everpresent part in England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
READ MORE: Everton may have different kind of transfer target in £13.5m Vitalii Mykolenko alternative
READ MORE: Everton fans to shape matchday experience at new stadium in 'vital' survey
This afternoon's meeting is the second in recent days in which Everton have faced Premier League opposition behind closed doors, with Lampard's side drawing 1-1 against Manchester United at their Carrington trianing base last Wednesday.
Read the full story HERE
'This is about the city' - Everton and Liverpool players unite for first Alder Hey visit since pandemic
An enthusiastic group of Everton's first team squad headed to Alder Hey Children's Hospital this week to spread some festive cheer alongside their Liverpool counterparts in the clubs' first visit since the global coronavirus pandemic. Everton have made visiting the world-renowned medical facility at Christmas an annual tradition, however, the Covid pandemic has meant they’ve not been able to visit the premises in person since 2019.
To celebrate the club being able to return to the hospital to meet patients and their families, Alder Hey arranged a special festive party for some of those who had spent time at the hospital over the past 12 months and deserved a special treat. Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon, Michael Keane, James Tarkowski, Neal Maupay and Alex Iwobi donned the famous blue Christmas hats and spent the afternoon handing out gifts and meeting patients, parents and staff.
They were joined by several members of the Liverpool squad as both sets of players were the guests of honour, along with Santa and Mrs Claus, at the party held inside the £250million facility, which opened its doors in 2014. Tarkowski, on his first visit to the hospital, said: “As players we can undervalue it, at times, the difference we can make to the kids’ days, so it’s a great opportunity for us and the Liverpool lads to get down here and put some smiles on faces for people who are not having an easy time of it right now.
Read the full story HERE
READ NEXT
-
Everton investment latest as Farhad Moshiri meeting in Qatar explained
-
Everton have made a significant transfer decision after World Cup watching brief
-
Lewis Dobbin transfer admission made after Everton recall question
-
Everton takeover: Kaminski group stance after new club purchased and 'secret talks'
