Everton came from behind twice in a dramatic finish to draw 2-2 with newly-promoted Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The visitors looked set for a winning start to life back in the Premier League thanks to goals by Miguel Layun and substitute Odion Ighalo either side of a Ross Barkley cracker for the Toffees.
But Arouna Kone rescued Everton five minutes from the end with a goal that allowed him to match his tally for the last two seasons combined.
That meant the honours were shared in this battle of two Spanish coaches — in the home dugout Roberto Martinez is hoping for a big improvement on a disappointing second season in charge of the Blues, while Quique Sanchez Flores was making his Premier League bow after being appointed by the Hornets in June.
Martinez had been dealt a blow in the build-up to the game as Leighton Baines was ruled out for a potentially lengthy spell with an ankle injury suffered in training.
As a result, teenage Zimbabwe-born defender Brendan Galloway started at left-back for the hosts, who found themselves behind in the 14th minute.
Arouna Kone scored just his second goal for the club in 3 years
Phil Jagielka could only turn a cross from the Watford left into the path of Layun and the Mexican international lashed past Tim Howard from inside the box.
Everton were left chasing the game but it was the introduction of Kone in place of Galloway that galvanised them.
The Ivorian teed up Barkley to rifle home a shot from the edge of the area to make it 1-1, sparking hope among the home fans that their side could go on and claim all three points.
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They were left stunned when the Nigerian Ighalo, prolific in Watford’s run to promotion last season, did for Chelsea target John Stones before firing home with seven minutes remaining.
But, almost immediately, Romelu Lukaku held the ball up for Kone to beat Heurelho Gomes and score just his second goal for the club.
By AFP
