Arteta continues on comeback trail

The Spaniard was named in the starting line-up and played 68 minutes of the 1-1 draw as he continued his comeback.

"He has taken another step closer to being fully fit," said Round. "He has missed most of pre-season with a foot injury and now he has got those minutes under his belt, which is important."

He added: "The game got Marouane Fellaini, Mikel, Jack Rodwell and Tony Hibbert more minutes and they need that having missed bits and bobs during the summer."

The friendly was hastily-arranged after Everton's opening match of the Barclays Premier League against Tottenham was postponed in the aftermath of the riots in London.

"It was very important. We needed a game and we needed a competitive game," told evertontv. "The League of Ireland is a good standard and it got one or two players that extra bit of playing time.

"We are a little bit disappointed that we didn't turn the domination of possession into goals but I am sure that will come."

Source: PA

Source: PA