Jake O'Brien and Jesper Lindstrøm netted goals on their first appearances for Everton while Dominic Calvert-Lewin was also on the scoresheet as Everton ramped up preparations for the 2024/25 Premier League season with a 3-0 win over Preston North End.
Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring via the penalty spot after a purposeful opening from the Blues.
O'Brien - on as a half-time substitute - then thundered home a half volley to double the advantage on the hour mark before Lindstrøm added a third with a superb curling effort from a 25-yard free-kick.
As there was against Coventry City on Tuesday, there was a poignant moment ahead of kick-off, with a minute's silence to remember all of those affected by Monday's appalling tragedy in Southport, as well as the Club's former physio Les Helm and former first-team coach Craig Shakespeare, who both sadly passed away earlier this week.
The Evertonians - more than 5,500 of whom packed out the away end at Deepdale - then sang Kevin Campbell's name as play got under way.
The Blues were up against a Preston side in good shape heading into this one, with three consecutive pre-season victories - over Bamber Bridge, Fiorentina and Salford City respectively - ahead of their Championship opener against Sheffield United on Friday evening.
Lindstrøm was handed his first outing in an Everton shirt from the start after his arrival on loan from Napoli this summer, while James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko were also in the starting line-up for the first time of pre-season and Idrissa Gana Gueye returned having missed recent clashes with Coventry City and Salford City with a minor injury.
Sean Dyche's side started the contest with purpose and threatened with half-chances through Mykolenko and Tim Iroegbunam.
The deadlock was broken on 19 minutes, as Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison - who was operating centrally - completed a neat exchange before the former lofted a pass over Preston's defence for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was fouled by Liam Lindsay as he was about to pull the trigger and the Toffees were awarded a penalty.
Calvert-Lewin brushed himself down to take the spot-kick and made no mistake, sending goalkeeper Dai Cornell the wrong way from 12 yards.
As the clock approach the half-hour mark, Joao Virginia preserved that lead with a terrific save, clawing away Ryan Ledson's header from Ben Whiteman's inviting cross from the right to deny the Everton Academy graduate a goal against his former side.
But Everton were in control of proceedings and went close to extending their advantage with two presentable chances in the space of 60 seconds as the first half drew to a close.
First, Lindstrøm stung the palms of Cornell with a right-footed drive after an excellent first touch to lose his marker, then, as the Toffees recycled possession, Harrison's cutting through-ball found Calvert-Lewin, who arrowed a low shot inches wide of the post.
O'Brien replaced the returning Tarkowski at the interval and it wouldn't take long for the Republic of Ireland international to get himself into the thick of the action.
After comfortably dealing with a couple of long balls in defence, O'Brien was in attack for a set piece and when Lindstrøm clipped in a ball from the left flank, O'Brien flicked it on to Calvert-Lewin before producing a thunderous half volley into the back of the net from the striker's lay-off in front of the packed-out away end.
Everton had a third goal nine minutes later, Lindstrøm stepping up to a 25-yard free-kick and brilliantly curling the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net.
Next up for Everton is a clash with Italian giants Roma at Goodison Park on Saturday (3pm BST), before the Premier League season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion a week later.
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