Toffees undone by Ortega magic

26 July 2009 09:59
Everton were undone by a piece of Ariel Ortega magic after going down 1-0 to River Plate in their latest pre-season friendly. Evergreen schemer Ortega scored the only goal of the game on 27 minutes, while Everton were denied a late penalty in Edmonton, Canada. Jo fired a free-kick at Mario Vega and Tim Cahill also tested the River Plate keeper before the Argentine side took the lead. Ortega found space away from the Everton defence before lifting a wonderful chip over Toffees shot-stopper Carlo Nash. Matias Abelairas hit the post after a Nash error before half-time, with Everton coming close early in the second period when Jo shot into the side-netting. With just five minutes left, the Toffees wanted a penalty after substitute James Vaughan appeared to get a nudge in the back, but the decision was not given and Everton were unable to create another clear-cut opening. Of the penalty incident, Moyes told the club's official website: "I've not seen the replay, but I did think it looked a nailed-on penalty. "In truth it was a tight game. In the first half I thought we kept the ball too deep and allowed them a little bit too much possession. "In the second half we played better, I thought the game was tight and there were only one or two chances either way."

Source: SKY_Sports