Carlo Ancelotti, Marcel Brands and Duncan Ferguson watched on as Everton's under-23s lost their first game of pre-season.
David Unsworth's side played host to National League North side Southport at Finch Farm this afternoon, losing 2-1.
In the game played behind-closed-doors, Ellis Simms gave the young Blues a 31st minute lead with a finish from inside the area before Southport equalised after the break through Mo Ali.
And in time added on, Port striker Marcus Carver made it 2-1 to the visitors.
Everton have yet to explain why new signing Niels Nkounkou was not included in the matchday squad.
Everton's u-23s have four more friendlies lined up before the start of the season next month, with a game against Wigan Athletic's u-23s at Finch Farm taking place next Saturday at 3pm.
Tyrer, John, Ouzounidis, Astley, Anderson, Hunt, Iversen, Onyango, Hughes, Dobbin, SimmsSubstitutes: Quirk, Hansen, Cannon, McAllister, Small, Higgins, Kouyate
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