Newcomers Watford Draw Everton

Arouna Kone put his injury nightmare behind him to salvage a 2-2 draw for Everton against Barclays Premier League newcomers Watford on the opening day.

Quique Sanchez Flores' side twice led at Goodison Park and turned in a composed performance despite fielding six of their 10 recruits, while Tom Cleverley was the only new face in the Everton team who struggled for long periods.

Miguel Layun bagged his first Watford goal inside the first quarter of an hour and that scoreline remained for over an hour of play until Ross Barkley hauled Everton level with a superb long-range strike. Back came Watford, as Odion Ighalo stepped off the bench to restore their advantage with seven minutes to play.

But, as Watford's fans began to dream of a first top-flight win since May 2007, Kone intervened to grab a long overdue moment to remember in an Everton shirt.

Making only his 23rd appearance since joining the club in 2013, a period ravaged by 14 months out with a knee injury, the Ivory Coast forward spared manager Roberto Martinez's blushes.

Romelu Lukaku was passed fit to lead the Everton attack after a hamstring problem but a knock in training for Leighton Baines meant 19-year-old Brendan Galloway started at left-back. The teenager made an important early challenge to deny Watford captain Troy Deeney, who has broken the 20-goal barrier in each of the past three seasons at Championship level.

It meant Everton had been served ample warning of their visitors' intentions when Phil Jagielka failed to deal with a left-wing cross and Layun, a Mexico international, lashed a shot beyond Tim Howard.

Gareth Barry had Heurelho Gomes at full stretch as he planted a header goalwards from Kevin Mirallas' 19th-minute corner and the Brazilian produced another fingertip save when Barkley unleashed a piledriver from the left of the penalty area.

Deeney soured a fine 45 minutes for Watford with a two-footed lunge on Galloway that got him booked, before Layun drilled narrowly wide and the home side departed to boos at half-time.

Gomes was alert to push a mishit cross from Seamus Coleman over his bar before the former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper dashed from his line in the 50th minute and was fortunate not to be punished by Lukaku as he headed Barkley's raking ball off target. Kone replaced Galloway amid continued frustration from the stands.

After Howard beat away a rasping drive from Jose Holebas, Kone got on the end of Cleverley's right-wing cross but headed wide in the 67th minute. Kone turned provider nine minutes later, laying the ball off perfectly into Barkley stride and the midfielder sent a magnificent 25-yard effort arcing past Gomes' despairing dive.

Home hopes for an Everton victory push were stunningly checked when Ighalo shimmied inside to leave Jagielka and John Stones in his wake before finishing calmly.

But three minutes later, the Watford backline were undone, as Kone coolly slid a shot past Gomes on the angle to cap a thrilling first-day spectacle.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "We were in pre-season mode a bit in the first half. Watford shocked us a little bit. The second goal was a big mistake positionally and we got heavily punished today.

"The reaction from the team after half time was pleasing. We also saw a very mature and composed Ross Barkley. Arouna could see he had to win the crowd over when he came on and he was influential late in the game.

"We had many more chances and overall there is disappointment that we couldn't get more from that second half.

"It would be disrespectful to talk about players at other clubs, but we are looking to add in three positions. We don't know how long Leighton will be out, but it won't be just 2-3 weeks. it was a disaster the day before the season started."

Watford manager Quique Flores: "I'm very happy with the players and the result. We have only been working together for six weeks and we have lots of different nationalities.

"We want to be happy with this result and think about the next match. Maybe we have to add a little, but I'm really happy with the players we have."