Everton Held At Bolton In Second Pre-Season Test

Everton drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, completing their second pre-season outing of the 2026/27 summer schedule.

Jarrad Branthwaite was back among the Blues starters – out of action since April with a long-term injury.

He was a part of a new-look Everton back five for the first half in Bolton, lining up alongside James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, Adam Aznou and Merlin Röhl.

Everton thought they’d taken a first-half lead through Thierno Barry, who – threatening just moments before – had been found by Röhl’s low ball into the box. The Frenchman finished from close range only to see the offside flag lifted on the far side.

Five substitutes for the Toffees at half-time saw Tom King, Michael Keane, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Vitalii Mykolenko and Tyrique George all introduced.

Beto had a second-half opportunity when he was picked out by Mykolenko’s chipped ball behind the Bolton defence. The Everton striker shifted it onto his right boot, but struck wide of the hosts’ goal.

Five of Everton’s Under-21s’ squad earned minutes during the closing stages as Harvey Foster – goal scorer last week in Dundee, Braiden Graham, Malik Olayiwola, George Finney and Eli Campbell were all handed chances to impress.

The Blues kept pushing for a winner, but Bolton’s defence stood firm to see out a goalless draw.

Everton are back in pre-season action on Tuesday (7.45pm BST), taking on Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.