VfL Wolfsburg v Everton

Before a ball was even kicked, this final day of the pre-season calendar was a bright one for the Blues.

But the 2-0 reverse at the hands of Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg meant a gloss to the day - provided by Mikel Arteta's new five year contract - was welcome.

The Spanish playmaker has been the subject of intense speculation about his future throughout the summer. But by agreeing new terms, such talk is quashed. Unfortunately, on this day at least, the German hosts did enough to ensure glimpses of his customary prowess with his pinpoint passing were kept to a minimum.

Arteta got 76 minutes of action under his belt seven days before the big kick-off against Blackburn. And manager David Moyes was able to ensure the majority of his travelling party spent time on the pitch as he shuffled his pack with his thoughts firmly centred on Ewood Park.

Yakubu was one of those players, making his first appearance of pre-season as a second-half substitute.

The regular changes throughout the second period meant it was difficult for Everton to find the rhythm required to turn the two goal half-time deficit on its head.

But the first defeat of pre-season against an accomplished Bundesliga outfit was the kind of stern test David Moyes' men required ahead of the big curtain raiser.

The goals for the home side were netted by the impressive Mario Madzukic and the rather fortuitous Karim Ziani - coming either side of a Tim Howard penalty save during an opening half in which the home side  impressed.

After a slow start, they began to stretch the Everton defence. Edin Dzeko headed wide from a Mandzukic cross on 14 minutes. It was a pre-cursor for what was to follow, with Mandzukic popping up at the back post three minutes later to slot the ball into the roof of the net.

Phil Neville in action in Wolfsburg

The home side were handed the chance to double their lead nine minutes later when Sylvain Distin was ruled to have fouled Dzeko in the penalty area as he attempted to challenge the striker.

Dzeko, the home side's skipper, stepped up to take the kick but Tim Howard was equal to it, saving smartly down to his right. He gathered the rebound from Karim Ziani as the travelling fans behind the goal chanted 'USA, USA!'

Buoyed by that save, Everton went close at the other end minutes later - Leon Osman driving a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box after neat build-up play from Steven Pienaar.

Howard produced another fine save with a finger-tip stop to deny Zvyezdan Misimovic. But the American's afternoon took a turn for the worse seven minutes before the interval. A goal reminiscent of Ronaldinho's against England at the 2002 World Cup, Ziani's floated cross eluded Howard and found the top corner of the net.

The US stopper was withdrawn at the break, with Jan Mucha afforded 45 minutes of the action along with Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill.

Leon Osman challenges for the ball

The Aussie sent a glancing header wide as the game approached the hour mark, a Pienaar effort from distance sailed over the bar and Arteta tested Diego Benaglio as Everton's play improved.

Everton began to enjoy longer spells in possession, with much of the attacking play focussed down their left. And that despite regular substitutions from both sides that interrupted the flow of the contest.

Wolfsburg, and Mandzukic in particular, maintained a threat - as a header wide with 23 minutes left on the clock served to illustrate.

Everton continued to pressure for a goal. But they never really went close to breaching the Wolfsburg backline, ensuring the side's first blank of their seven game pre-season campaign.

But in years to come this day will be looked on with fondness thanks to the news delivered by Mikel Arteta.