Everton 1-1 Betis (3-4 on penalties) analysis: Old habits die hard for new regimePlus, brilliant Barry, Lukaku's mind elsewhere and Dresden becomes the Gwladys Street
It may be a new regime but old habits die hardDefending set-pieces were the bane of Roberto Martinez's final season in charge at Everton.
And already they are making the new man angry.
Ronald Koeman failed to hide his frustration as the Blues surrendered their early lead mid-way through the first-half against Betis in Dresden this afternoon.
The Spanish side whipped in a dangerous free-kick but couldn't believe their luck when they were allowed a free header 10 yards from goal.
Joel Robles managed to unconvincingly tip into onto the post but the ball bounced back across goal for Pezella to tap in on the line.
A soft centre badly undermined Everton last season but Koeman will not accept his side being exposed in that manner.
He favours defenders who, above all else, can defend.
Brilliant BarryWhoever Koeman signs to inject quality into Everton's midfield then one thing is for certain: they'll learn plenty from Gareth Barry.
The Blues' player of the year for last season picked up where he left off with a display brimming with a range of passing his team-mates don't possess, regular touches of class that desert too many and ingenuity.
Barry also showed himself quickly able to pick up Koeman's ideas with his understanding of when to press Betis evident.
Koeman intends on bolstering his midfield options but Barry looks certain to remain a key part of Everton's engine room.
He had the Luk of a man whose mind was elsewhereSo that extended break seems to have done Romelu Lukaku few favours.
On his first appearance as an Everton player in the Ronald Koeman-era, he looked off-pace and out-of-sorts.
And dare we say it, he also looked as though his mind may have been elsewhere.
Koeman is determined to keep hold of the wantaway striker and believes he can flourish in the new way of playing at Goodison but he was poor in his hour on the pitch.
So much so that he probably made strike partner Arouna Kone look much better than he was.
At least the Ivorian, also starting under the new manager for the first time, showed a decent touch, was strong and resilient.
Indeed, it was Kone's charge down the line which forced the corner from which Everton scored and though he faded as the game wore on, he will have at least made a positive impression on Koeman.
Lukaku on the other hand.
A corner of Dresden became the Gwladys StEvertonians are famed for their devotion to their team, often travelling to far flung corners of the globe to watch the Blues.
Dresden is only a short flight and two-hour train journey from Liverpool but that over 1,000 supporters made the trip for this pre-season friendly tournament, speaks volumes.
Ronald Koeman has been bowled over by the level of their support and even after Real Betis slotted home the winning penalty in todays' shoot-out, the huddle of Everton fans in one corner of the DDV-Stadion sang louder and louder.
Oh yeah, they didn't win the Dresden CupFor a tournament that promised a glut of goals, Everton somewhat bucked the trend.
Blues only had Gerard Deulofeu's wonderful free-kick and Mandi's own goal to cheer over the two games in two days.
Everton's 2-1 defeat in their opening game with hosts Dynamo Dresden on Friday night was followed by an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Betis on Saturday afternoon.
It meant the Blues finished the competition with two points (for the two goals they scored) and heading home empty handed.
Liv Echo
