- Everton avoided a pre-season nightmare against Irish side Sligo on Friday
- Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti scored twice late on to rescue a draw
- But, a kit mishap occurred when Everton’s badge fell off a new home strip shirt
Everton avoided an embarrassing pre-season defeat in their first warm-up game as they fought back from 3-1 down to eventually draw against Sligo Rovers.
Last season’s Premier League survivalists had previously fallen two goals behind before clawing back a single strike to temporarily reduce the deficit.
Sean Dyche‘s side have been based in Ireland recently in preparation for the new Premier League season and were in action for their opening warm-up match on Friday.
Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti was the late hero at the near-4000 capacity stadium as his two goals at the death rescued the Toffees from a shock pre-season defeat.
However, an embarrassing moment for the visitors couldn’t be avoided as the Everton crest appeared to fall off the new home strip that was only recently revealed by new kit manufacturer Castore.
Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti was the late hero as he scored twice in the 3-3 draw
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/19/22/87552769-13653035-image-a-1_1721423485658.jpg)
Everton initially went 2-0 down before temporarily reducing the deficit only to then trail 3-1
![An embarrassing kit mishap for the visitors saw the Everton badge fall off one of the shirts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/19/21/87552829-13653035-An_embarrassing_kit_mishap_for_the_visitors_saw_the_Everton_badg-a-39_1721420832110.jpg)
An embarrassing kit mishap for the visitors saw the Everton badge fall off one of the shirts
Images circling on social media show the Everton badge having fallen off some of the shirts during the match, with the British kit manufacturer only into the early months of a first deal with the club.
Some fans took to social media to claim that Dyche and the club’s kitman were seen gluing the crests back onto the shirts during the half-time break.
Castore and Everton announced a new ‘club record’ multi-year deal in June that is believed to be almost three times what their previous £9m-per-year agreement with Hummel was.
Ridiculing the kit online, one fan account replied to an image of the mishap stating: ‘Castore are the worst brand I have ever seen for football shirts…yet clubs still run with them.’
Another added: ‘Everton’s first run out in their new kit by manufacturer Castore tonight…. …..30 minutes in and the badges started falling off. By half time Gueyes badge had fell off completely Sean Dyche and the kit man had to glue them back on at half time These small clubs.’
While one ranted about their own experience with the kit, writing: ‘Absolutely disgraceful from @Everton @CastoreEngland – kids up to age 8 have to settle for a kit with a STICKER for a badge, shorts that don’t have strings to tighten, and socks that don’t have the EFC on – just a Castore logo. Simply refuse to buy such poor quality’.
Despite the apparent kit mishap, the afternoon was also a special occasion for Everton captain Seamus Coleman who returned to his boyhood club.
Coleman – who many believe is entering his final season – previously moved to Goodison Park in 2009 after spending three years at Sligo where he made 61 appearances.
![Toffees boss Sean Dyche was animated as his side struggled in their first pre-season match](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/19/21/87552779-0-image-m-37_1721420506926.jpg)
Toffees boss Sean Dyche was animated as his side struggled in their first pre-season match
![The afternoon was also a special occasion for Everton captain Seamus Coleman who returned to his boyhood club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/19/21/87552777-0-image-a-35_1721420499618.jpg)
The afternoon was also a special occasion for Everton captain Seamus Coleman who returned to his boyhood club
There was however concern for one of Coleman’s defensive partners as James Tarkowski suffered a minor injury that will now need to be monitored by Everton in the coming days.
Speaking after the match, Everton boss Dyche revealed Tarkowski would now require further assessment but did provide a positive update on other injured players.
‘Got a minor niggle. Got to be careful. We’ve got a few niggles and we’ve got to monitor their workloads,’ said Dyhe.
‘We’re hopeful with Tarky. Jarrad (Branthwaite), Patto (Nathan Patterson) and Dele (Alli) are also making progress.’