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RON THE MONEY

MK Dons 1 Everton 3: Ross Barkley, Gerard Deulofeu and Mo Besic all score as Toffees brush Dons aside

Ronald Koeman's second game in charge of the Toffees produced an easy 3-1 win as keeper Maarten Stekelenburg made his first start

EVERTON comfortably brushed aside MK Dons in Ronald Koeman’s second game in charge thanks to goals from , Gerard Deulofeu and Mo Besic at the Stadium:MK.

Handing a first start to new goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, the Toffees took the lead after just two minutes, Deulofeu capitalising on a Dons’ defensive error to tap home.

 Ross Barkley (r) celebrates his goal with assist-provider Gerard Deulofeu at MK Dons
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Ross Barkley (r) celebrates his goal with assist-provider Gerard Deulofeu at MK DonsCredit: Getty Images
 Evertons Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas shoots towards goal in a 3-1 win
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Evertons Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas shoots towards goal in a 3-1 winCredit: Reuters
 New Dutch boss Ronald Koeman patrols the touchline in his second game in charge
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New Dutch boss Ronald Koeman patrols the touchline in his second game in chargeCredit: Reuters

Kevin Mirallas went close to doubling the lead just moments later, but after 19 minutes the Premier League side went 2-0 up when the impressive Deulofeu’s stunning run and cross saw England international Barkley fire home.

But League 1 MK Dons, relegated after just one season in the Championship last term, came back strongly towards the end of the half and pulled one back when young midfielder Giorgio Rasulo thumped home off the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards.

And just before the break, Bryan Ovideo had to clear smartly off the line from Darren Potter’s strike.
made eight changes on 60 minutes, bringing on the likes of Aaron Lennon, Leighton Baines and Dons old boy Brendan Galloway.

He had opened his Toffees managerial career after joining from Southampton with an easy 3-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday and this win was secure on 85 minutes when Besic nodded home a third.

 Impressive Spaniard Deulofeu taps home the opening goal of the game against the League 1 opposition
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Impressive Spaniard Deulofeu taps home the opening goal of the game against the League 1 oppositionCredit: Getty Images
 Teammates including Aaron Lennon surround midfielder Mo Besic congratulate his headed third goal
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Teammates including Aaron Lennon surround midfielder Mo Besic congratulate his headed third goalCredit: Reuters

The score stayed 3-1 and was good practice for Everton, who fly to Germany tomorrow to play in the Dresden Cup, a four-team tournament alongside hosts Dynamo Dresden, Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen and La Liga club Real Betis.

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